The Food and Drugs Administration, also known as the FDA has issued a warning as two pain relief medications promoted to help with joint pain and arthritishave ‘hidden drugs’ in them.
Discover our latest podcast
The FDA has asked healthcare professionals and consumers to report any adverse events or side effects if they have taken these two products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.
The pain relief products in question fail to list an anti-inflammatory drug in their list of ingredients which can have major side effects for some, especially if they are unaware they are taking the drug.
Which pain relief products are concerned?
The FDA has warned that the pain relief products Kuka Flex Forte and Reumo Flex, which are typically sold on various websites and sometimes in retail stores contain 'hidden drugs'.
Indeed both of these products contain the anti-inflammatory drug known as diclofenac, which is not listed on either of the ingredients list.
Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which is often referred to as NSAIDs. This drug can have major side effects and is not sold without a prescription.
How does this drug affect your health?
Diclofenac is a strong pain relief drug and, as reported by the FDA, can cause an increased risk of cardiovascular events like strokes or heart attacks.
It can also cause major gastrointestinal damage, which can include bleeding, ulceration, and fatal perforation of the stomach and intestines since it is such a strong medication.
Moreover, diclofenac can interact with other medications you may be taking and can also increase the risk of adverse events, especially if you are taking other products that contain NSAIDs.
You can report any side effects to the following:
- Complete and submit the report online at MedWatch Online Voluntary Reporting Form, or;
- Download and complete the form, then submit it via fax at 1-800-FDA-0178.
Read more:
⋙ FDA issues warning against this dangerous viral avocado storage hack
⋙ These 3 medications cause the highest deaths in the UK, and you probably have them at home
⋙ Common medication has ‘undeniably fascinating’ effect on Long Covid, here’s what we know
Sources used:
FDA: ‘Kuka Flex Forte contains hidden drug ingredient’
FDA: ‘Reumo Flex contains hidden drug ingredient’
