Public warned vs fake muscle relaxant drug

MANILA, Philippines - Beware of a fake muscle relaxant drug that caused the hospitalization of hundreds of people in Central Africa, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned.

In an advisory issued yesterday, FDA said that fake diazepam (brand name Solina) BP 5 mg tablet and diazepam (brand name Diazpam) BP 5 mg tablets triggered “acute dystonic” reaction in over 400 patients in the northeast region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The fake medicine affected the muscles of the face, neck and tongue of patients. The adverse reaction lasts from three to four days without treatment, resulting in 40 hospital admissions per week.

For this reason, “the World Health Organization has issued a medical product alert regarding adverse reaction caused by diazepam tablets,” the FDA said.

The FDA has reminded health professionals to stay vigilant on the possible presence and risks posed by the fake drug, and warned drug companies against selling and dispensing fake diazepam.