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Foreign product alert

Foreign Product Alerts: Instant Slim

Starting date:
May 1, 2014
Posting date:
May 1, 2014
Type of communication:
Foreign Product Alert (FPA)
Subcategory:
Natural health products
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Source of alert:

US FDA

Issue:
Undeclared Substance
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-39295

Introduction

This product is not authorized for sale in Canada and has not been found in the Canadian marketplace, but it is possible it may have been brought into the country by travellers or purchased over the Internet.

Affected product

  • Instant Slim

Other product names are printed in international characters on the package and translate to "Abdomen Hips Fruit Flavoured Slimming Capsules," and "Reducing Belly and Lifting the Buttocks."

Instant Slim

Product description

This product is promoted for weight loss.

Hazard identified

The US FDA warned consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain undeclared sibutramine and phenolphthalein.

Place of origin

Unknown.

Side effects

The side effects associated with sibutramine include heart attack and stroke, as well as 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 product listed above in the Canadian marketplace.

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

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 April 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

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