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Stress Guard (Pharma Botanica Pty Ltd)
Product Name
Stress Guard
Sponsor
ARTG details
Date of review outcome
Date of publication
Dec-2025
Outcome
Medicine continues to be permitted for supply. Batches released after May 2025 must carry a corrected label containing the required warning statements for valerian and St John's Wort.
Is it safe to continue using this medicine?
Yes, based on the sponsor's certification. However, use of this medicine may pose a safety risk for some people. Follow the recommended actions below.
What action should consumers take?
In rare cases, valerian may harm the liver. Stop use and see a doctor if you have yellowing skin/eyes or unusual: fatigue, nausea, appetite loss, abdominal pain, dark urine or itching.
St John's Wort affects the way many prescription medicines work - including oral contraceptives. Consult your doctor.
Seek advice from a doctor if you have been taking this medicine for anxiety, bipolar depression, restless legs syndrome or nerve damage.
St John's Wort affects the way many prescription medicines work - including oral contraceptives. Consult your doctor.
Seek advice from a doctor if you have been taking this medicine for anxiety, bipolar depression, restless legs syndrome or nerve damage.
Review scope
Targeted (see Additional Information below)
Information reviewed
ARTG Record, Labels, Website
Issues related to safety
The label for a batch (B 36567) of this medicine was missing the mandatory warning statement for the ingredient valerian, as set out under 'What action should consumers take?' above. In addition, the label for this batch did not note that St John's Wort affects the way oral contraceptives work and did not refer consumers to their doctor. These warning statements are necessary to ensure the safe use of this medicine and to alert consumers to safety risks prior to taking it. While these omissions are unacceptable, supply of the affected batch of this medicine stopped in May 2025.
The website for this medicine contained claims specified in 'What action should consumers take?' above. These claims are not permitted for listed medicines without prior evaluation or approval from the TGA. References to non-permitted claims have the potential to lead consumers to delay access to timely advice or treatment from a suitably qualified health practitioner when required, which may result in adverse outcomes.
The website for this medicine also contained claims that this medicine has no side effects. These claims are not permitted as all medicines have the potential to cause adverse outcomes. Additionally, it may encourage consumers to take this medicine even if it is not safe or appropriate for them.
While advertising of this nature is unacceptable, the website advised consumers to talk to their health professional if symptoms persist. Furthermore, the advertising for this medicine has been removed from the website.
Current data indicates this medicine is unlikely to pose an immediate risk to consumer health and safety.
The website for this medicine contained claims specified in 'What action should consumers take?' above. These claims are not permitted for listed medicines without prior evaluation or approval from the TGA. References to non-permitted claims have the potential to lead consumers to delay access to timely advice or treatment from a suitably qualified health practitioner when required, which may result in adverse outcomes.
The website for this medicine also contained claims that this medicine has no side effects. These claims are not permitted as all medicines have the potential to cause adverse outcomes. Additionally, it may encourage consumers to take this medicine even if it is not safe or appropriate for them.
While advertising of this nature is unacceptable, the website advised consumers to talk to their health professional if symptoms persist. Furthermore, the advertising for this medicine has been removed from the website.
Current data indicates this medicine is unlikely to pose an immediate risk to consumer health and safety.
Issues related to efficacy
The website for this medicine contained claims specified in 'What action should consumers take?' above. However, these claims were not covered by the sponsor's certification that they held evidence to substantiate them.
Actions taken during the review
The TGA required the sponsor to correct the issues with this medicine. The sponsor updated the label to correct the issues and removed the advertisement from the website.
The TGA issued an educational letter to the sponsor outlining the issues with this medicine.
The TGA issued an educational letter to the sponsor outlining the issues with this medicine.
Additional information
This medicine was targeted to check its compliance with warning statement requirements related to Valerian ingredients