A black pill used as a remedy for body aches and for general well-being is prohibited from sale by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) after it left a man in hospital.
The black pills from ‘Pusat Rawatan Darul Ilaaj’ (Darul Ilaaj Treatment Centre) were found to contain undeclared potent medicinal ingredients, including a steroid. “Prolonged use of these black pills, which are labelled to be of herbal origin, can lead to serious adverse reactions,” said HSA in a press release.
Adverse reactions indeed — a diabetic man in his 50s was hospitalised for uncontrolled hypertension and Cushing’s syndrome after he consumed the pills in subject for quite some time.
Ingredients in the black pill — namely dexamethasone and chlorpheniramine — are only allowed to be used under strict medical supervision. Patients with chronic medical conditions like diabetes may experience worsening of their existing conditions.
Members of the public who’ve bought the pills are advised to consult a doctor as soon as possible, and not to stop taking the pills immediately as withdrawal symptoms will appear. More details on the HSA website.
