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Public advisory

Potentially dangerous unauthorized drugs seized from "SVN FUEL" stores in B.C.

Starting date:
April 11, 2014
Type of communication:
Advisory
Subcategory:
Drugs
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Issue:
Unauthorized products
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-39071

Issue

Four unauthorized drugs being sold at two SVN FUEL stores - one in Burnaby and one in Coquitlam, B.C. - were seized by Health Canada as they contain ingredients that are potentially dangerous to the health of consumers.

The products, and the unapproved ingredients they contain, include Jack3d (DMAA (1, 3-dimethylamylamine), Red Rockets (ephedrine and caffeine), West Pharm Therma Lean (ephedrine and caffeine), and OxyElite Pro (1, 3-dimethylamylamine HCl and Yohimbe Bark extract). They were being promoted for weight management.

Products affected

  1. Jack3d (contains DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine)
  2. Red Rockets (contains Ma Huang, 8% Ephedrine and caffeine)
  3. West Pharm Therma Lean (contains Ma Huang, 8% Ephedrine and caffeine)
  4. OxyElite Pro (contains 1, 3-dimethylamylamine HCl and Yohimbe Bark extract)

What you should do

  • Speak to a healthcare professional if you have taken any of the products and have concerns regarding your health.
  • 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), a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) or a Natural Product Number (NPN) on the label.
  • Report any adverse events associated with the use of these products to Health Canada.

Who is affected

Canadians who have used or purchased any of these products.

Background

Jack3d was found to contain DMAA (dimethylamylamine), a drug that is not authorized for use in Canada. Side effects include high blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain, stroke and psychiatric disorders.

Red Rockets and West Pharm Therma Lean were found to contain ephedrine and caffeine. Ephedrine and caffeine, when combined together, may cause serious and possibly fatal adverse effects ranging from dizziness, tremors, headaches and irregularities in heart rate, to seizures, psychosis, heart attacks and stroke. Canadians suffering from heart conditions, high blood pressure and diabetes are among those particularly at risk. Ephedrine is authorized for the relief of nasal congestion but is not authorized for sale in Canada as a stimulant or weight management product.

In addition to dimethylamylamine, OxyElite Pro was found to contain Yohimbe bark extract. The use of any unauthorized drugs containing yohimbine (either as yohimbine hydrochloride or yohimbe bark extract) may result in serious adverse reactions, particularly in people with high blood pressure, heart, kidney or liver disease. Side effects associated with yohimbine include increased blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety, dizziness, tremors, headache, nausea and sleep disorders. It should not be used by children, pregnant or nursing women.

In 2010, Health Canada received four reports of adverse reactions associated with the use of West Pharm Therma Lean.

Report health or safety concerns

  • Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
  • Visit MedEffect Canada's web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax.

Stay connected with Health Canada and receive the latest advisories and product recalls using social media tools.


Media enquiries

Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

Public enquiries

(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709

What Health Canada is doing

Health Canada seized Jack3d from SVN FUEL, Unit 102, 9952 Lougheed Hwy. Burnaby, B.C.

Red Rockets, West Pharm Therma Lean and OxyElite Pro were seized from SVN FUEL, Unit 138, 3000 Lougheed Hwy, Coquitlam, B.C.

Health Canada previously advised Canadians of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning not to use dietary supplements labelled as "OxyElite Pro" following several U.S. reports of serious liver injury.

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