It is imperative that consumers who are currently taking or who have recently stopped taking Reumofan Plus, an herbal remedy for arthritis and other related muscle pains, should immediately consult a health care professional, warns the FDA, as the product has been found to contain potentially harmful pharmaceutical ingredients.
Reumofan Plus, manufactured in Mexico by Riger Naturals and sold in some retail outlets and on various internet sites, is promoted for treating arthritis, muscle pain, osteoporosis, bone cancer, and other conditions.
Health officials in Mexico have ordered Riger Naturals to recall Reumofan Plus as at least one lot of the product contains the corticosteroid dexamethasone, a drug that acts as an anti-inflammatory and immune system suppressant.
The FDA in a statement said that it has also received multiple reports of adverse events associated with the use of Reumofan Plus, including liver injury, sudden worsening of glucose (sugar) control, weight gain, swelling, leg cramps, and adrenal suppression (problems with kidney functioning).
According to the FDA, laboratory analysis of Reumofan Plus has revealed that it contains:
* diclofenac sodium - a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that may cause increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke, as well as serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and fatal perforation (causing a hole) of the stomach and intestines.
* methocarbamol - a prescription muscle relaxant that can cause sedation, dizziness, low blood pressure, and impair mental or physical abilities to perform tasks such as driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery.
Health care professionals have been asked to evaluate patients who have used Reumofan Plus for drug and disease interactions involving the potentially harmful pharmaceutical ingredients.
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