SINGAPORE — The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has warned the public against consuming illegal pills provided by a home-based masseur, after one of his customers had to be hospitalised and was found with purple stretch marks and a “moon face” appearance.

About 6,500 units of the illegal products, which came in the form of pills and capsules in black, brown as well as green and white, were seized during a raid at the masseur’s Teck Whye Lane home, HSA said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 17).

Tests conducted by the agency found the pills to contain “undeclared potent western medicinal ingredients”, such dexamethasone, a strong steroid, and frusemide, which is a diuretic.

The illegal pills were touted to have pain relief or slimming effects. The masseur, who is in his 50s, had been giving the products to his customers for free after their massages, according to the HSA.

The masseur is currently assisting HSA in its investigations. The agency gave no details on how many people could have consumed the pills, and for how long.

HSA said one man in his 20s who consumed the unlabelled black bills and brown capsules for over a year had to be hospitalised after he ran out of the products and suffered withdrawal symptoms.

Doctors found that he had developed Cushing’s syndrome, a condition caused by prolonged consumption of steroids. Aside from gaining a round or “moon face” appearance, the man also developed purple stretch marks over his arms, abdomen and thighs, and gained 20 kg within a year.

He reportedly took the illegal products for pain relief and to keep his chronic gout condition under control. The man has since been discharged, after his condition improved upon treatment.

The HSA urged those who had consumed the unlabelled pills to see a doctor as soon as possible, due to the potency of the steroids used. “Discontinuation of steroids without proper medical supervision can cause serious withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, confusion and low blood pressure,” the agency warned.

HSA also pointed out that anyone caught supplying illegal health products is liable to prosecution, and if convicted, may be imprisoned for up to three years, or fined up to S$100,000, or both.