Japan-bought EVE painkiller sparks kidney risk warning
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong's Department of Health recently seized unregistered painkillers in several districts, including EVE, a Japanese over-the-counter brand popular with some travellers, and said the product contains ibuprofen, a Part 1 poison . The department said ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, whose common side effects include nausea, stomach discomfort and gastric ulcers, while long-term or excessive use may damage kidney function . Public concern intensified after Taiwanese dentist Huang Yueh-chen shared a case involving a woman in her 30s who kept taking EVE bought in Japan during the pandemic and later suffered severe kidney damage requiring lifelong dialysis . A colorectal surgeon, Ho Chien-lin, also warned that NSAIDs can raise risks of stomach inflammation, ulcers, heart attack and stroke in vulnerable patients .
Key Points
- The Department of Health said ibuprofen-containing pharmaceutical products may only be sold in pharmacies under a registered pharmacist's supervision or used on a doctor's instructions .
- Authorities urged the public not to buy or use unregistered or unknown-source medicines, and to seek medical advice before taking any drug .
- Huang Yueh-chen said the woman avoided medical treatment during the pandemic, kept taking EVE, and sought help only after the painkiller stopped working .
- Ho Chien-lin said people with cardiovascular disease, older adults, those with ulcer history, and chronic kidney disease patients should avoid NSAIDs .
- According to Hong Kong Hospital Authority information cited in the report, end-stage kidney failure may require dialysis or a kidney transplant to sustain life .
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong consumers who often buy medicines while travelling, the case is a reminder that familiar overseas brands can still carry significant risks if used for too long or without proper guidance . It also underlines why local rules restrict ibuprofen-containing products to pharmacist supervision or medical advice, especially because early kidney disease symptoms may be hard to detect .