A case of severe lead poisoning has prompted health authorities to issue an urgent warning about an illegally imported banned substance being sold as a complementary medicine.
SA Health said a patient presented to hospital after consuming the product labelled Multani Kaminividravana Rasa, also known as Kamini, that was also found to contain "high levels" of mercury.
The product is believed to have been made overseas and sold to the patient at a South-East Asian supermarket in Adelaide.
"Further testing is also underway to determine if it contains opioids such as codeine and morphine as they have been found in previous testing of these types of products," SA Health said.
The department said the substance was sold in the form of dark pellets that, while marketed as a "powerful stimulant" to counter "weakness and lack of vigour and vitality", posed a "significant risk to health".
While SA Health said it could not release certain details about the case, it confirmed the patient had since been discharged from hospital and was now being managed at home.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has previously warned about the product, saying testing had revealed ingredients that are "listed as dangerous poisons".
SA Health's protection and regulation director Chris Lease said that, because the product was not regulated, it could contain "a potpourri of harmful ingredients" which could be fatal.
"Not only does the presence of heavy metals in the tablets pose a serious risk to your health, the potential inclusion of opioids also creates a high risk of dependence, further escalating potential harm," Dr Lease said.
"Kultani Kaminividravana Rasa tablets should never be ingested.
"They have not been assessed by the TGA for quality, safety or efficacy as required under Australian legislation."
Previous public health warnings about Kamini have been issued in recent years, including after at least a dozen people who developed a dependence on it sought help for withdrawal symptoms in south-east Queensland.
SA Health said authorities had notified hospital emergency departments and GPs about the lead poisoning case, and urged them to be mindful of blood lead testing "for patients presenting with relevant symptoms".
It said while supplying the tablets in Australia was illegal, they were being "clandestinely imported and sold in some grocery stores and online".
"The TGA is working with the Australian Border Force to help stop shipments of the products from entering Australia," SA Health said.
The department said anyone who suspected they were suffering from severe lead poisoning or an opioid overdose should seek urgent medical attention.
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