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Foreign product alert

Foreign Product Alerts: Phen Tabz, Asset Extreme, Asset Extreme Plus, Meizitang Citrus, Slimming Diet Berry Plus, Citrus Fit Gold, Hot Detox, Thinogenics, Tonic Life BP, Slimfast Capsules, Dr. Ming's Chinese Capsule, Magic Slim and Apple's Quick Impa...

Starting date:
June 17, 2014
Posting date:
June 17, 2014
Type of communication:
Foreign Product Alert (FPA)
Subcategory:
Natural health products
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Source of alert:

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Hong Kong Department of Health, and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

Issue:
Undeclared Substance
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-39937

Introduction

These 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.

Affected products

  • Phen Tabz
  • Asset Extreme
  • Asset Extreme Plus
  • Meizitang Citrus
  • Slimming Diet Berry Plus
  • Citrus Fit Gold
  • Hot Detox
  • Thinogenics
  • Tonic Life BP
  • Slimfast Capsules
  • Dr. Ming's Chinese Capsule
  • Magic Slim
  • Apple’s Quick Impact Weight Loss

Phen Tabz

Product description

This product is promoted for weight loss.

Hazard identified

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) warned consumers not to use this product as it was found to contain undeclared 1,3-dimethylamylamine (DMAA).

DMAA is a drug that is not approved for sale in Canada.

Place of origin

According to the product packaging, the manufacturer is Gentech Pharmaceutical.

Side effects

Side effects associated with DMAA include high blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain, stroke and psychiatric disorders.

Asset Extreme, Asset Extreme Plus, Meizitang Citrus, Slimming Diet Berry Plus, Citrus Fit Gold, Hot Detox and Thinogenics

Product description

These products are promoted for weight loss. The affected Thinogenics products were sold before February 6, 2014 and contained 30 capsules per bottle.

Hazard identified

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers not to use these products after they were found to contain undeclared sibutramine.

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.

Place of origin

Thinogenics: Nature’s Universe (Nashville, Tennessee)

Side effects

In addition to heart attack and stroke, side effects associated with sibutramine include increased blood pressure and heart rate, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping and constipation.

Tonic Life BP and Slimfast Capsules

Product description

These products are promoted for weight loss.

Hazard identified

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers not to use the product Tonic Life BP and the Hong Kong Department of Health warned consumers not to use the product Slimfast capsules after they were found to contain undeclared phenolphthalein.

  • Phenolphthalein was previously used as a laxative but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because it may cause cancer.

Place of origin

Unknown

Side effects

Additional side effects associated with phenolphthalein include decreased blood pressure, skin rash and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Dr. Ming’s Chinese Capsule, Magic Slim and Apple’s Quick Impact Weight Loss

Product description

These products are promoted for weight loss.

Hazard identified

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers not to use the products Dr. Ming’s Chinese Capsule and Magic Slim; and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) warned consumers not to use the product Apple’s Quick Impact Weight Loss, after they were found to contain undeclared sibutramine and phenolphthalein.

  • 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.
  • Phenolphthalein was previously used as a laxative but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because it may cause cancer.

Place of origin

Unknown

Side effects

  • In addition to heart attack and stroke, side effects associated with sibutramine include increased blood pressure and heart rate, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping and constipation.
  • Additional side effects associated with phenolphthalein include decreased blood pressure, skin rash and gastrointestinal bleeding.

What you should do

Health Canada advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they find the products listed above in the Canadian marketplace.

Canadians who have these products are advised not to use them, and should consult with a healthcare professional if they have concerns about their health related to the use of these products. 

Background

Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label. These numbers indicate that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality.

As of May 15, 2014, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of these products have been reported to Health Canada.

Report a health or safety concern

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

Images

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