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Foreign product alert

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.

Unauthorised Weight Loss Products
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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