Natural (Xin Yi Dai) and Lasmi

Foreign Product Alert
2008-143
August 22, 2008
For immediate release

Health Canada is advising consumers not to use the products specified below due to concerns about possible side-effects. More info

Date of alert: August 22, 2008
Source of Alert: Hong Kong Department of Health
Product Names: Natural (Xin Yi Dai) and Lasmi
Manufacturer / Place of Origin: Unknown

Product Description
Natural (Xin Yi Dai) and Lasmi are both promoted for weight loss.

Natural (Xin Yi Dai): Green/white capsules
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Lasmi: Red/orange capsules marked with "Lasmi"

Reason for Warning
The Hong Kong Department of Health warned against the use of Natural (Xin Yi Dai) and Lasmi because they were both found to contain undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients.

Natural (Xin Yi Dai) was found to contain sibutramine and phenolphthalein, and Lasmi was found to contain sibutramine and spironolactone.

Sibutramine is used in the treatment of obesity and spironolactone is used in the treatment of fluid retention. Both are prescription drugs that should only be used under the supervision of a health care professional.

Phenolphthalein was previously used in over-the-counter laxative preparations but is currently prohibited in Canada as it may cause cancer. Individuals who may have been exposed to phenolphthalein should consult with their health care professional.

Possible Side-Effects
Use of sibutramine may cause headaches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, chest pain and stroke.

Abuse of phenolphthalein-containing laxatives has been associated with stomach and intestinal bleeding, anemia, acute pancreatitis and, in cases of massive overdose, multiple organ damage (including liver failure).

Side-effects associated with spironolactone include electrolyte imbalance, breast enlargement in males, gastrointestinal irritation, fatigue, dizziness and reproductive disorders.

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Media Inquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

For more details on these Foreign Product Alerts, please visit the Health Canada Web site.

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These 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.

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

Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have either 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.

Health Canada advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they find any of the products listed above in the Canadian marketplace.

For more information about the information contained in this advisory, please contact Health Canada's public inquiries line at (613) 957-2991 or toll-free at 1-866-225-0709.

As of the date of this posting, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of this product have been reported in Canada.