Two Chinese herbal products (Cheng Kum and Shen Loon) have recently been found (in New Zealand) to contain betamethasone in the range 0.1 to 0.3mg per capsule. Further importation to NZ has been stopped. We have identified at least two cases with adrenal suppression (flat synacthen tests) following protracted ingestion of Shen Loon (an adult with joint pains and a child with astma and hayfever). Two healthy volunteers showed overnight suppression of plasma cortisol (to <100 nmol/l) following the ingestion of two capsules of Shen Loon suggesting a potency at least equivalent to 1mg dexamethasone.
Dr Chris Florkowski
Christchurch, New Zealand
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