Drug alert: The Department of Health urges the public not to use this product which contains undeclared western medicine dexamethasone.

The Department of Health urges the public not to buy or use a product for joint pain that contains undeclared western medicine dexamethasone, which can cause serious side effects.

In July the department cautioned against the same product which was found to contain indomethacin.

Dexamethasone is a steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to suppress inflammation, allergic disorders and joint pain. It can cause obesity, hypertension, high blood sugar and peptic ulcers.

Products containing dexamethasone must be registered before sale and must be sold under the supervision of a pharmacist.