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Foreign product alert

Foreign Product Alerts: Majestic Slim Perfect and Yixiu L-Carnitine Slimming Capsules

Starting date:
March 26, 2014
Posting date:
March 26, 2014
Type of communication:
Foreign Product Alert (FPA)
Subcategory:
Drugs
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Source of alert:

Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration

Issue:
Undeclared Substance
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-38609

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

  • Majestic Slim Perfect
  • Yixiu L-Carnitine Slimming Capsules

Majestic Slim Perfect

Product description

This product is promoted for weight loss.

Hazard identified

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration warned consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain sildenafil and phenolphthalein, drug ingredients that were not declared on the product label.

Sildenafil is a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

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

Sildenafil should not be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g. nitroglycerine) as they can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure. Individuals with heart problems are at increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure and abnormal heartbeat. Other side effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision, and hearing loss

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

Yixiu L-Carnitine Slimming Capsules

Product description

This product is promoted for weight loss.

Hazard identified

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration warned consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain sibutramine, a drug ingredient that was not declared on the drug label.

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

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.

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 January 31, 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

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