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Information update

14 additional unauthorized health products tested: may pose serious health risks

Starting date:
July 6, 2011
Posting date:
July 6, 2011
Type of communication:
Information Update
Subcategory:
Natural health products
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Issue:
Undeclared Substance, Product Safety
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-110005199

Health Canada is advising Canadians that we have updated our list of unauthorized health products. These products were also removed from sale at Male and Female Harmony retail stores in Richmond and Burnaby, B.C., along with the Happy Paradise Adult Store in Burnaby.

Health Canada's testing of these products has identified the presence of undeclared prescription medication in these products. We would like to remind Canadians that prescription medication should only be used under the supervision of a health care practitioner.

Should any new products or issues be identified, Health Canada will continue to update our current list of affected products. Canadians are advised to monitor this list of affected products for any possible updates.

Product List

In response to a consumer complaint, a number of unauthorized sexual enhancement health products that may pose serious risks to the health of Canadians were removed from sale at retail stores and tested by Health Canada. Our testing has identified the presence of undeclared prescription medication(s) in these products (see the list below):

Sildenafil

Sildenafil is a prescription medication that should only be used under the supervision of a health care practitioner. Products authorized for sale containing sildenafil should never be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g. nitroglycerine), as sidenafil in combination with a nitrate drug, can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure. As with all treatments for erectile dysfunction, there is a potential cardiac risk associated with sexual activity in patients with pre-existing heart problems such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure and abnormal heart beat. Other side-effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision, and hearing loss.

Tadalafil

Tadalafil should only be used under the supervision of a health care practitioner. Products containing tadalafil should never be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g. nitroglycerine) as it can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure.

Individuals with heart problems including high blood pressure, a history of heart attack, stroke, abnormal heart beat or chest pain are at higher risk of cardio-vascular side effects if they engage in sexual activity, including if they use tadalafil to help them achieve an erection. Other possible side-effects of using tadalafil include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision and hearing loss.

Phenolphthalein

Phenolphthalein, which was previously used as a laxative, is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because it may cause cancer. Additional side-effects associated with phenolphthalein include decreased blood pressure, skin rash and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Health Canada is aware that there may be other products on the market with the same name but not necessarily the same ingredients. The information in this alert refers only to the product labelled as below.

List of Products
Product Name Ingredient Retailer City Date Added
Baolong Switzerland Rolex 168 Prolong Time Sildenafil Male and Female Harmony Store 4540 No.3 Road,
Richmond, BC
July 6, 2011
4619 Kingsway,
Burnaby, BC
Baolong Yilishen Sildenafil Male and Female Harmony Store 4540 No.3 Road,
Richmond, BC
July 6, 2011
4619 Kingsway,
Burnaby, BC
Herbal Viagra Sildenafil Male and Female Harmony Store 4540 No.3 Road,
Richmond, BC
July 6, 2011
4619 Kingsway,
Burnaby, BC
Jin Chong Chao - Golden Cordyceps Sildenafil Male and Female Harmony Store 4540 No.3 Road,
Richmond, BC
July 6, 2011
4619 Kingsway,
Burnaby, BC
Lubiangaowansu Sildenafil Male and Female Harmony Store 4540 No.3 Road,
Richmond, BC
July 6, 2011
4619 Kingsway,
Burnaby, BC
Maxman II capsules Sildenafil Male and Female Harmony Store 4540 No.3 Road,
Richmond, BC
July 6, 2011
4619 Kingsway,
Burnaby, BC
Shenrong Dabuwan Sildenafil Male and Female Harmony Store 4540 No.3 Road,
Richmond, BC
July 6, 2011
4619 Kingsway,
Burnaby, BC
Viger Sildenafil Happy Paradise Adult Store 4560 Kingsway,
Burnaby, BC
July 6, 2011
Vinix capsules Sildenafil Male and Female Harmony Store 4540 No.3 Road,
Richmond, BC
July 6, 2011
4619 Kingsway,
Burnaby, BC
Wolf Sildenafil Male and Female Harmony Store 4540 No.3 Road,
Richmond, BC
July 6, 2011
XiongBaTian Sildenafil Male and Female Harmony Store 4540 No.3 Road,
Richmond, BC
July 6, 2011
4619 Kingsway,
Burnaby, BC
Zang Gong Mi Lian Nan Bao Sildenafil Male and Female Harmony Store 4540 No.3 Road,
Richmond, BC
July 6, 2011
4619 Kingsway,
Burnaby, BC
Zeng Bei Jiu Zhan Tadalafil Male and Female Harmony Store 4540 No.3 Road,
Richmond, BC
July 6, 2011
4619 Kingsway,
Burnaby, BC

 


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