Health Canada
www.hc-sc.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Vigofit and Once More: Unauthorized Health Products Seized at Stores in Abbotsford and Surrey, B.C.
Advisory
2010-96
June 8, 2010
For immediate release
The issue
Health Canada is warning Canadians that the unauthorized health products "Vigofit" and "Once More," which are promoted to enhance male sexual performance, have been seized by Health Canada inspectors from retail stores in Abbotsford and Surrey, British Columbia. These two products contain sildenafil, a prescription medication that may pose serious and potentially life-threatening health risks, particularly to people with heart problems.
Who is affected
Canadians who have purchased "Once More" from Valley Herblex Products in Abbotsford, British Columbia, or "Vigofit" from Herbalex in Surrey, British Columbia, particularly people with heart problems.
What consumers should do
- Consult your healthcare practitioner if you have used any of these products and are concerned about your health.
- Read the labelling 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), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label.
- Report any adverse reaction potentially related to these products to Health Canada (see below).
What Health Canada is doing
Health Canada is working with the Canada Border Services Agency to help stop the future importation of these unauthorized health products into Canada. Health Canada will continue to monitor the stores noted above and will take immediate and appropriate action should they continue to sell unauthorized health products that may pose a risk to Canadians.
Background
Sildenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction and should only be used under the supervision of a health care practitioner. Products authorized for sale containing sildenafil indicate that it should never be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g. nitroglycerine) as this combination 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 heart beat. Other side-effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision, and hearing loss.
Products affected
- Vigofit
- Once More
For more information
Consumers and health professionals wanting more information about this advisory from Health Canada can contact the Public Enquiries Line at 613-957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.
Media enquiries related to this Advisory should be directed to Health Canada Media Relations at 613-957-2983.
How to report side effects to health products
To report suspected adverse reaction to these or other health products, please contact the Canada Vigilance Program of Health Canada toll-free at 1-866-234-2345, or complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and send to us using one of these methods:
- Fax: 1-866-678-6789
- E-mail: CanadaVigilance@hc-sc.gc.ca
- Internet: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
- Mail: Canada Vigilance Program
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Ottawa, ON, Address Locator 0701C
K1A 0K9
Related Health Canada Web Content
- Advisory (March 8, 2010) - Unapproved Health Product, "POWER-MAX" May Pose Serious Health Risks
- Advisory (January 8, 2010) - Canadians Advised Not to use "Stiff Nights" or Any Unauthorized Product Promoted for Erectile Dysfunction
- Warning (November 25, 2009) - Health Canada Warns Consumers Not to Use "Once More" or Any Unauthorized Product Promoted to Enhance Male Sexual Performance
- Warning (November 26, 2008) -- : Health Canada Warns Consumers Not to Use Firm Dose and Granite Rooster or Any Unauthorized Products Promoted to Enhance Male Sexual Performance
Send us your feedback
Help improve Health Canada's risk communications by sharing your thoughts on the new format for our Advisories.
Stay connected with Health Canada and receive the latest advisories and product recalls using these social media tools.
