SHE was told it was a Chinese medicine to help improve blood circulation and relieve pain, rheumatism, arthritis, numbness in the limbs and body aches.

But the 50-year-old woman, who had been taking one China-made Huo Luo Jing Dan capsule daily for 12 years, discovered the hard way that there was more to it than she had bargained for.

Her throat swelled up after an infection and she had to be hospitalised when it did not heal. Her doctor noticed that her facial features had also changed, a symptom of over-consumption of steroids.

The doctor alerted the Health Sciences Authority to his patient s adverse reaction to the drug.

Yesterday, the HSA warned the public to stop consuming Huo Luo Jing Dan, which is illegal here.

Those who have taken it should see a doctor if they feel unwell or have concerns about their health.

The drug was found to contain undeclared Western medicinal ingredients like dexamethasone, prednisolone and indomethacin.

The first two are corticosteroids. Their prolonged use can lead to osteoporosis, heightened risk of severe infections and higher blood pressure.

Stomach bleeding, ulcers as well as kidney failure are among the adverse side effects linked to the third ingredient, indomethacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSaid). Other NSaids include aspirin and ibuprofen.

Such drugs must be prescribed by doctors and patients have to be supervised closely, said the HSA.

The woman, who declined to be interviewed, had bought the drug from a friend. The HSA said the friend could not be contacted.

The HSA's investigations found that the listed manufacturer China Tian Jin Ren Ji does not exist.

This is the fifth drug that the HSA has warned the public about this year. Such illegal health products usually contain controlled ingredients.

The four other drugs the HSA issued warnings about are traditional Malay medicines XP Tongkat Ali Supreme, Delima Raja Urat and Air Ikan Haruan, as well as a Chinese medicine called Cao Gen Bai Lin Wan.

Those found importing or selling illegal health products can be prosecuted under the Medicines Act and or the Poisons Act and be fined up to $10,000, jailed a maximum of two years or both.

The HSA reminded consumers to be wary of buying health products from dubious sources and to patronise licensed clinics and pharmacies instead.

It added: "In addition, consumers are advised to be wary of products that promise quick cures of serious conditions with claims that sound too good to be true."

Anyone with information on Huo Luo Jing Dan should contact HSA's enforcement branch on 6866-348 or e-mail hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg