January

• 17 weight loss products (see Alert for a complete list) [2012-01-25]
  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to use 17 weight loss products after they were found to contain undeclared sibutramine, and in some cases, phenolphthalein. Sibutramine and phenolphthalein are no longer authorized in Canada for safety reasons.
• Athri-Eze - Sear Heang Tienchi Tu Chung Wan - Wiku Jahe Kencur (Akur Mujarab) - Cap Wijaya Kusuma (An Ki It) [2012-01-25]
  The Singapore Health Sciences Authority warned consumers not to use these products after they were found to contain undeclared prescription and over-the-counter drugs (dexamethasone, prednisolone, furosemide, allopurinol, acetaminophen and/or chlorpheniramine). One product was found to contain phenylbutazone, which is no longer authorized in Canada due to safety reasons. Prescription drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
• Ying Da Wang tablets [2012-01-25]
  The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration warned consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain undeclared sildenafil, which is a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
• Get Stiff - Maxi Mize [2012-01-25]
  New Zealand's Medsafe warned consumers not to use these products after they were found to contain undeclared substances that are similar to prescription drugs and may pose similar health risks (hydroxyhomosildenafil, hydroxythiohomosildenafil), and/or prescription drugs that should only be used under the supervision of a health care practitioner (tadalafil, vardenafil, yohimbine).
• Uprizing 2.0 [2012-01-25]
  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration informed consumers of a company recall after Uprizing 2.0 was found to contain undeclared superdrol, a synthetic anabolic steroid. In Canada, anabolic steroids are controlled substances and are therefore only legally available by prescription. They should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
• Slimina weightloss capsules, S-shape slim capsules [2012-01-25]
  The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration warned consumers not to use these products after Slimina weightloss capsules was found to contain undeclared sibutramine while S-shape slim capsules was found to contain undeclared sibutramine, fenfluramine, phenolphthalein, propranolol and nifedipine. Some of these pharmaceutical ingredients are no longer authorized in Canada for safety reasons (sibutramine, fenfluramine and phenolphthalein), while others are prescription drugs and should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner (propranolol and nifedipine).
• [LuShenPai] Specific Hou Ton Qing, [AA] Pe Min Kan Wan [2012-01-25]
  The Hong Kong Department of Health warned consumers to not use these products after they were found to contain excessive levels of arsenic or mercury, which are heavy metals. Ingestion of excessive amounts of heavy metals poses serious health risks because they may accumulate in vital organs of the body. Children are most susceptible to the toxic effects.
• Cardiotium - Paidusu - SlimEasy Herbs Capsule - Tianran Zuanshi Xianweisu [2012-01-25]
  The Hong Kong Department of Health warned consumers not to use these products after they were found to contain undeclared pharmaceutical substances (losartan, atorvastatin, thyroxine, sibutramine and/or phenolphthalein). These substances are prescription drugs and should only be used under the supervision of a health care practitioner (losartan, atorvastatin, thyroxine), or they are no longer authorized in Canada for safety reasons (sibutramine and phenolphthalein).