Nutrex Research Lipo 6X: WEIGHT LOSS PRODUCT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS

Advisory
2011-11
January 28, 2011
For immediate release

The issue:

Nutrex Research Lipo 6X is being voluntarily recalled from the Canadian market because of the risk of serious, potentially fatal adverse effects from the combination of the ingredients in the product. To date, Health Canada has not received any reports of adverse reactions in Canada associated with the use of Nutrex Research Lipo 6X.

Nutrex Research Lipo 6X is not authorized by Health Canada and is promoted for weight loss or body building. It contains caffeine and synephrine, which is similar to ephedrine. When used in combination with caffeine and other stimulants, synephrine and/or ephedrine has caused reported adverse events ranging from dizziness, tremors, headaches and irregularities in heart rate to seizures, psychosis, heart attacks and stroke.

Who is affected:

Canadians who have purchased or used the product, Nutrex Research Lipo 6X.

What Health Canada is doing:

Health Canada has contacted True North Nutrition, the importer and distributor of Nutrex Research Lipo 6X and asked them to initiate a stop sale and recall of this product from the Canadian market. Health Canada will monitor their voluntary recall.

It is important to note that this product may have been purchased by consumers at retail stores across Canada or over the internet from various websites. Health Canada advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they find this product or similar products available for sale.

Background:

Nutrex Research Lipo 6X is not authorized by Health Canada and bears no Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Health Product Number (NPN), Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) or Exemption Number (EN).

Several health advisories have been issued by Health Canada warning Canadians about products containing synephrine/ephedrine/ephedra, in combination with caffeine and other stimulants, for purposes of weight loss, body building or increased energy.

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 a suspected adverse reaction to these or other health products, please contact Heath Canada's Canada Vigilance Program 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
• Internet: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
• Mail: Canada Vigilance Program
  Marketed Health Products Directorate
  Ottawa, ON, Address Locator 0701E
  K1A 0K9

Related Health Canada Web content:

• Advisory (January 7, 2011) - Synerate: Weight Loss Product Could Cause Serious Adverse reactions

• Guidelines for synephrine in natural health products.  

• HC has also issued a number of advisories regarding ephedrine/caffeine products, which are similar to synephrine products.

• It's Your Health on the Safe Use of Health Products for Weight Loss.

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