Arthritis and Joint Pain Supplement Recalled for Heart Attack Risks From Undisclosed Drug Ingredients

Federal regulators have discovered that an over-the-counter dietary supplement, known as AK Forte, may contain prescription drug ingredients that require government approval before being included in any product, due to their potential health risks.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the AK Forte supplement recall on October 16, warning that the products contain steroids, muscle relaxants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which could lead to potentially life threatening side effects and interactions with other prescription medications.

AK Forte tablets have been marketed as a dietary supplement to help alleviate symptoms associated with arthritis and joint pain. The product has been promoted for its potential benefits in reducing inflammation and improving joint mobility, commonly targeting individuals suffering from chronic pain related to osteoarthritis and other joint conditions.

However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified that the dietary supplements may contain dexamethasone, methocarbamol and diclofenac, which could increase the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, as well as serious gastrointestinal damage, including bleeding, ulceration and fatal perforation of the stomach and intestines.

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid, which is often used to treat inflammation. However, corticosteroids can also affect a person’s immune system, cause high blood sugar and muscle injuries, as well as psychiatric problems. When used for long periods of time, dexamethasone can lead to withdrawal symptoms.

Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant that can affect people’s ability to drive or operate machinery, due to its ability to cause dizziness, sleepiness and low blood pressure.

Diclofenac is a type of NSAID, which are widely used anti-inflammatory drugs that do have several potentially serious side effects. Unnecessary use of NSAIDs have been linked to a number of avoidable health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes and gastrointestinal damage. Recent studies have also linked NSAID use to Parkinson’s disease, as well as an increased risk of blood clots or embolisms in women taking hormonal birth control.

According to federal regulations, products with any of these drugs in them cannot be marketed as dietary supplements. For this reason, C&A Naturistics is recalling all lots of AK Forte tablets, notifying distributors and arranging for all products to be returned to the manufacturer.

Despite the risks, C&A Naturistics has not received any reports of adverse health events as a result of its AK Forte products.

The tablets are packaged in cardboxes of 100 each, and sold nationwide through the company’s Ebay and Etsy stores. The packaging has a white, blue, red and gold AK crown logo at its top. If a customer is still in possession of AK Forte tablets, they should throw them away or return them to where they were purchased.

Consumers currently taking AK Forte tablets should immediately consult their doctor on how to safely stop use, since the potential for withdrawal from corticosteroids can only be determined by a physician.

Individuals with questions can contact C&A Naturistics via email at naturisticsca@gmail.com or by phone at 619-498-9811, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PST.

Adverse reactions can also be reported to the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting program, Medwatch, or by downloading the FDA Safety Reporting form and faxing it to 1-800-FDA-0178. FDA forms can also be requested via phone at 1-800-332-1088.