Singapore Health Authorities Issue Urgent Warning After Adulterated Slimming and Pain Relief Products Cause Severe Medical Emergencies

HSA warns against four adulterated health products after users suffer from heart attack risks and adrenal failure. Consult a doctor before stopping steroid use.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 4:15 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from CNA

Public Health Alert Issued Over Toxic Medicinal Adulterants

The Health Sciences Authority has issued an immediate directive for the public to cease the purchase or consumption of four specific health products following reports of serious adverse reactions. The identified items—Ubat Angin Tulang, Tianma Duzhong Shujing Wan, IM SO am, and IM TOX pm—were marketed as natural remedies for slimming or pain management but were found to contain undeclared, potent medicinal ingredients. According to the HSA press release on Wednesday, these substances pose significant risks to cardiovascular and metabolic health when consumed without professional medical oversight.

Severe Cardiovascular and Neurological Reactions to Weight Loss Supplements

One female consumer experienced a near-total physical collapse, including fainting spells, severe tremors, and chronic insomnia after using the products IM SO am and IM TOX pm. Despite claims that these supplements utilized botanical extracts to improve body balance, HSA laboratory analysis detected the presence of sibutramine and sennosides. Sibutramine has been strictly prohibited in Singapore since 2010 due to its direct association with increased risks of stroke and myocardial infarction. Other documented side effects of this banned substance include hallucinations, irregular heart rhythms, and dangerous spikes in blood pressure.

Steroid Contamination in Unregulated Pain Relief Remedies

The investigation into products targeting joint and knee pain revealed even more complex chemical adulteration. A woman in her 60s suffered rapid weight gain of 10kg and developed hypertension after using Ubat Angin Tulang for three months, a product she believed contained only herbal ingredients. Analysis confirmed the presence of dexamethasone, a powerful steroid, alongside furosemide and chlorpheniramine. These potent substances are known to induce systemic metabolic changes, and according to HSA, the steroid content was the likely catalyst for the patient’s sudden physiological deterioration.