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Foreign product alert

Foreign Product Alert: Lose Weight capsules, Nangen Zengzhangsu, PHQ 1001 Khasiat Penawar Herba Qaseh Serata Herb, Slim-Vie Slimming Capsules, TONIK TUAN HAJI 1921, VENERGY Capsule

Starting date:
June 9, 2017
Posting date:
June 9, 2017
Type of communication:
Foreign Product Alert (FPA)
Subcategory:
Drugs, Natural health products
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Issue:
Unauthorized products
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-63560

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.

Unauthorized Foreign Health Products

Unauthorized Sexual Enhancement Products
Product Name(s) Hazard(s) Identified Source of Alert Images
VENERGY Capsule 100mg Undeclared sildenafil Hong Kong Department of Health
Nangen Zengzhangsu Undeclared sildenafil Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration

 

Unauthorized Weight Loss Products
Product Name(s) Hazard(s) Identified Source of Alert Images
Lose Weight capsules Undeclared sibutramine and diclofenac Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration
Slim-Vie Slimming Capsules Undeclared sibutramine, sildenafil, and phenolphthalein Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration

 

Other Unauthorized Products
Product Name(s) Hazard(s) Identified Source of Alert Images
PHQ 1001 Khasiat Penawar Herba Qaseh Serata Herb Undeclared dexamethasone, piroxicam, griseofulvin and paracetamol Singapore Health Sciences Authority
TONIK TUAN HAJI 1921 Undeclared dexamethasone Hong Kong Department of Health

 

What you should do

  • Contact Health Canada at 1-800-267-9675 or by completing an online complaint form if you find a product listed above in the Canadian marketplace.
  • Consult 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 Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM).

Background

Prescription drugs should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Dexamethasone is a steroidal prescription drug used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and allergic reactions. Side effects include irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, stomach ulcer, blood disorders, skin, muscle and bone damage, and nervous system disorders.  Consult with your healthcare professional prior to stopping use, as sudden discontinuation of dexamethasone may cause symptoms of withdrawal.

Diclofenac is a prescription drug in the family known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and is used to treat pain, fever and inflammation. Side effects include changes in blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders (with or without bleeding), anemia, kidney failure and reduced blood clotting ability.

Griseofulvin is a prescription drug used to treat fungal infections. Side effects include liver injury, severe skin rashes, decreased blood cell counts, confusion, headache, and diarrhea.

Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is an ingredient used in both non-prescription and prescription drugs to treat fever and pain. Long-term use of high doses of acetaminophen may cause serious liver damage.

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.

Piroxicam is a prescription drug in the family known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and is used to treat pain, fever and inflammation. Side effects include changes in blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders (with or without bleeding), anemia, kidney failure and reduced blood clotting ability.

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.

Sildenafil is a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil should not be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (such as nitroglycerine) as it 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.

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 3, 2017, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of these products have been reported to Health Canada.

Images

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