One individual hospitalized after consuming Kamini tablets; urgent health warning issued

One individual in South Australia has been hospitalized after consuming Multani Kaminividravana Rasa , resulting in severe lead poisoning and prompting an urgent health warning .

SA Health reported that the product, commonly referred to as Kamini, is available in the form of dark pellets marketed as a "powerful stimulant beneficial for weakness, low energy, and vitality." The authority added that these tablets were purchased locally from a Southeast Asian supermarket but are suspected to have originated from overseas.

SA Health's Executive Director of Health Protection and Regulation, Dr. Chris Lease, said that these tablets should never be consumed as they pose a significant health risk.

According to News9, further analysis by SA Health revealed that the tablets contained high levels of mercury, and additional testing is underway to determine if they also include opioids such as codeine and morphine.

Lease added that the tablets have not been assessed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for quality, safety, or efficacy as required under Australian legislation.

"As they are not regulated, they may contain a mix of harmful ingredients, some of which may cause severe illness and even death. Not only does the presence of heavy metals in the tablets pose a serious health risk, but the potential inclusion of opioids also creates a high risk of dependence, further escalating potential harm."

SA Health has alerted emergency departments and general practitioners about the recent hospitalization, advising them to carry out blood lead tests on anyone displaying related symptoms.

Acute lead poisoning can present with symptoms such as unexplained abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, headaches, fatigue, irritability, concentration difficulties, seizures, coma, muscle pain, kidney damage, and anemia.

Those who believe they may be experiencing severe lead poisoning or an opioid overdose are urged to seek immediate medical care.

Lease also warned store owners that the import and sale of Multani Kamini Vidrawan Ras or any brand of Kamini tablets is illegal in Australia.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration is collaborating with the Australian Border Force to prevent shipments of the product, which are being secretly imported and sold in certain grocery stores and online platforms.