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Foreign Product Alert: 27 weight loss products
- Starting date:
- March 9, 2016
- Type of communication:
- Foreign Product Alert (FPA)
- Subcategory:
- Natural health products
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Issue:
- Important Safety Information, Contamination, Unauthorized products
- Identification number:
- RA-57350
Issue
These foreign health products have been found by regulators in other countries to contain undeclared drug ingredients.
The products are not authorized for sale in Canada and have not been found in the Canadian marketplace but it is possible they may have been brought into the country by travellers or purchased over the Internet.
Product Name(s) | Hazard(s) Identified | Source of Alert | Other product information, if available | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|
Asia Black | Undeclared salicylic acid | United States Food and Drug Administration |
|
|
BASCHI Quick Slimming capsules | Undeclared sibutramine | Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration | ||
Basha Nut 100% Fruit Soft Gel Capsules | Undeclared sibutramine | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Black Widow 25 | Undeclared salicylic acid | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Burn Fat Now | Undeclared salicylic acid | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Extreme Stack | Undeclared salicylic acid | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Fataway Ultimate Stack | Undeclared salicylic acid | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Lishou Slimming Coffee | Undeclared sibutramine | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
MaxOut Body | Undeclared salicylic acid | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Meizi Super Power Fruits Herbal Slimming Formula | Undeclared sibutramine | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Metabolic Accelerator | Undeclared salicylic acid | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Methyldrene Original 25 Dietary Supplements | Undeclared salicylic acid | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Miracle Diet 30 | Undeclared phenolphthalein | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
NATUREAL | Undeclared sibutramine | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
New Queen Slimming soft gel capsules | Undeclared sibutramine | Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration | ||
Perfect Slim Fast Track Slim | Undeclared fluoxetine | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Pink Bikini and Shorts on the Beach Blue Edition | Undeclared sibutramine and phenolphthalein | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Pink Bikini and Shorts on the Beach Blue Gold Edition | Undeclared sibutramine and phenolphthalein | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Slyn Both | Undeclared fluoxetine | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Super Herbs | Undeclared sibutramine and desmethylsibutramine | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
ThermoFX | Undeclared salicylic acid | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Thermogenic Fat Burner | Undeclared salicylic acid | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Thin and Slim Naturally | Undeclared salicylic acid | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Tip-Top Shape | Undeclared sibutramine | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Ultimate Herbal Slimcap | Undeclared sibutramine | United States Food and Drug Administration | ||
Xtreme Fat Burner Capsules | Undeclared phenolphthalein | United States Food and Drug Administration |
What you should do
- Contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if you find a product listed above in the Canadian marketplace.
- Consult with a healthcare professional if you have health concerns related to the use of any of these products.
- Read the label of the products you buy to verify that they have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality. Health products that have been authorized for sale by Health Canada will have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM).
Background
Prescription drugs should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Desmethylsibutramine is an unauthorized substance similar to sibutramine, a prescription drug used to treat obesity and may pose similar health risks. Desmethysibutramine was previously used to treat obesity but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because of its association with an increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack and stroke. Other side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping and constipation.
Fluoxetine is a prescription drug used to treat depression. Side-effects associated with fluoxetine include headache, sleeping problems, anxiety, nausea, loss of appetite and excessive sweating.
Phenolphthalein was previously used as a laxative but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because it may cause cancer. Additional side effects include decreased blood pressure, skin rash and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Salicylic acid is an ingredient used in topical prescription and non-prescription drugs to treat various skin conditions such as acne and warts. It should only be used as a topical treatment for skin conditions. Common side side-effects include skin redness, burning, stinging, peeling and scaling. Accidental ingestion, or prolonged or excessive topical use, may lead to salicylate toxicity. Symptoms of salicylate toxicity include nausea, dizziness, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, lethargy, fast breathing, diarrhea, disorientation and hallucinations.
Sibutramine was previously used to treat obesity but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because of its association with an increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack and stroke. Other side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping and constipation.
Report health or safety concerns
To report a side effect to a health product to Health Canada:
- Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
- Visit Health Canada's Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax
As of March 2, 2016, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of these products have been reported to Health Canada.
Images
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