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Archived – Dan Bai Shou Shen Su
- Starting date:
- August 18, 2008
- Posting date:
- August 18, 2008
- Type of communication:
- Foreign Product Alert (FPA)
- Subcategory:
- Natural health products
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Issue:
- Important Safety Information, Undeclared Substance
- Audience:
- General Public
- Identification number:
- RA-12000466
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.
Source of alert
Hong Kong Department of Health
Product names
Dan Bai Shou Shen Su
Manufacturer / Place of origin
Guang zhou shì jiashèng wù ke jì yòu xiàn gong si, under the supervision of a Hong Kong company, Kang shì yuán guó jì jí tuán (xiang gang) yòu xiàn gong si / Unknown
Product description
Dan Bai Shou Shen Su is promoted for weight loss.
Reason for warning
The Hong Kong Department of Health warned against the use of Dan Bai Shou Shen Su because it was found to contain undeclared thyroid hormones and sibutramine.
Thyroid hormone preparations and sibutramine are both prescription drugs and should only be used under the supervision of a health care professional.
Thyroid hormones are used in the treatment of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland), goiters and some forms of thyroid cancer. Sibutramine is used in the treatment of obesity.
Possible side effects
- Side effects associated with both thyroid hormones and sibutramine include headaches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and chest pain.
- Additional side effects associated with thyroid hormones include seizures, tremors, excessive sweating, insomnia, diarrhea and vomiting.
What you should do
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.
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.
Background
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.
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.
Report a health or safety concern
- Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
- Visit Health Canada's Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax.
Media enquiries
Health Canada
613-957-2983
Public enquiries
613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709
Images
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