Medsafe is advising members of the public taking the dietary supplement Arthrem of a potential risk of harm to the liver.

A widely used supplement to relieve joint pain could harm the liver - and some users have needed hospital care, Medsafe warns.



Arthrem is marketed as a "dietary supplement used to relieve joint pain and stiffness".

It is not an approved medicine and it is not being recalled, although Medsafe monitor its safety after becoming aware of 14 instances of harm to the liver in those who had previously taken Arthrem.



The Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM) was notified of 20 incidents between February 2016 and December 31, 2017, a statement from the Ministry of Health says.

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Fourteen of the incidents reported to CARM described harm to the user's liver, the statement says.

Medsafe group manager Chris James said CARM had notified them there was an "ongoing issue" with the Arthrem product.



"Medsafe wants to ensure all New Zealanders who are using this product are aware of the serious risk it may pose," James said.

"In some of the cases reported to CARM the patient required hospital care."

The 14 affected patients had stopped taking Arthrem and had recovered or were improving.

The statement says anyone taking Arthrem who experienced nausea, stomach pain, pale stools, dark urine, itching, or jaundice should stop taking the medicine and contact their doctor.

James said liver toxicity, including hepatitis, abnormal liver function and jaundice had been reported in patients taking Arthrem.



"As the chemical composition of the Artemisia annuaextract is not disclosed, it is possible other products containing Artemisia annuaextract may have similar effects," he said.

"If you are using a product containing Artemisia annuaextract and develop any of those symptoms, the advice is the same: stop taking the product and seek medical advice."



Medsafe would continue to monitor the safety of Arthrem.



More information, including how to report an adverse reaction from the medicine to CARM, is available on the Medsafe website: http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/safety/EWS/2018/Arthrem.asp



