Warning issued over contaminated supplement

The public has been warned not to take a brand of food supplement following reports it has been contaminated with a banned drug that has been linked to at least three deaths in Ireland.

The supplement, labelled as Fortodol or Leppin Miradin, is marketed by its US manufacturer Donsbach as a herbal pain reliever. It has recently been linked to 11 cases of liver failure and at least two deaths in Norway and Sweden.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland said samples of the supplement have been found to be contaminated with nimesulide, an anti-inflammatory drug that was taken off the Irish market in May 2007.

Since 1995, when nimesulide was first licensed in Ireland, 53 liver-related adverse reactions had been reported to the Irish Medicines Board. The drug was blamed for nine cases of liver failure and at least three deaths before being banned.

The FSAI said it has contacted retalers in Ireland selling food supplements to warn them not to sell Leppin Miradin or Fortodol.

The products are not thought to be available in shops here, although they have been distributed in Northern Ireland and the UK and are also available on the internet.

The FSAI said anyone in possession of Leppin Miradin or Fortodol is advised to destroy it, while anyone who has been taking it and has any concerns should consult with their GP.