USA Yaku Cell Slimming Capsules, Dong Gua Pai You Su, Qing Gua Pai You Su, and Mu Gua Pai You Su

Foreign Product Alert
2010-119
July 14, 2010
For immediate release

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

Source of Alert

Hong Kong Department of Health

Product Names

1. USA Yaku Cell Slimming Capsules
2. Dong Gua Pai You Su
3. Qing Gua Pai You Su
4. Mu Gua Pai You Su

Manufacturer / Place of Origin

Unknown

Product Description

These four products are promoted for weight loss.

1. USA Yaku Cell Slimming capsules:



2. Dong Gua Pai You Su:



3. Qing Gua Pai You Su:



4. Mu Gua Pai You Su:

Reason for Warning

The Hong Kong Department of Health warned consumers not to buy or consume these four products after they were found to contain undeclared phenolphthalein, sibutramine and an unauthorized substance similar to sibutramine.

Phenolphthalein was previously used as a laxative but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because it may cause cancer.

Sibutramine is a prescription drug used to treat obesity. It should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner. Substances similar to sibutramine may pose similar health risks.

Possible Side-Effects

In addition to an increased risk of cancer, side-effects associated with phenolphthalein include decreased blood pressure, skin rash and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Side-effects associated with sibutramine include increased blood pressure and heart rate, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping and constipation.

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Media Enquiries:
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 the product 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.