Bao Ling

Foreign Product Alert
2009-165
October 14, 2009
For immediate release

Health Canada is advising consumers not to use the following products specified below due to concerns about possible side-effects. More info

Source of Alert: Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA)
Product Names: Bao Ling
Manufacturer / Place of Origin: Unknown

Product Description
Bao Ling is promoted as a traditional medicine and comes packaged in capsule format.

While its use, or indication, is unknown, the HSA advisory indicates the product was being used by a consumer to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Reason for Warning
The HSA advised consumers not to buy or use Bao Ling after it was found to contain undeclared betamethasone, hydrochlorothiazide and chlorpheniramine.

Betamethasone is a steroidal prescription drug used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and allergic reactions. It should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water pill) prescription drug used to remove excess fluid from the body. It should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
Chlorpheniramine is an over-the-counter antihistamine drug used to treat allergy symptoms.

Possible Side-Effects
Side-effects associated with betamethasone include irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, stomach ulcer, blood disorders, skin, muscle and bone damage, and nervous system disorders.

Side effects associated with hydrochlorothiazide include muscle cramps, dizziness, low blood pressure, headache and nausea.

Side-effects associated with chlorpheniramine include but are not limited to drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and blurred vision.

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Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

For more details on these Foreign Product Alerts, please visit the Health Canada Web site.

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These products are not authorized for sale in Canada and have not been found in the Canadian marketplace, but it is possible they may have been brought into the country by travellers or purchased over the Internet.

Canadians who have this product are advised not to use it, and should consult with a health care professional if they have concerns about their health related to the use of this product.

Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have either an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label. These numbers indicate that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality.

Health Canada advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they find the products listed above in the Canadian marketplace.

For more information about the information contained in this advisory, please contact Health Canada's public inquiries line at (613) 957-2991 or toll-free at 1-866-225-0709.

As of the date of this posting, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of this product have been reported in Canada.