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Foreign Product Alerts: Best Slim capsules, Meizi Evolution Botanical Slimming capsules, and Libigirl capsules
- Starting date:
- August 7, 2013
- Posting date:
- August 7, 2013
- Type of communication:
- Foreign Product Alert (FPA)
- Subcategory:
- Natural health products
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Issue:
- Undeclared Substance
- Audience:
- General Public
- Identification number:
- RA-34869
Introduction
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.
Affected products
- Best Slim capsules
- Meizi Evolution Botanical Slimming soft gel capsules
- Libigirl capsules
Best Slim capsules
Product description
The product is promoted for weight loss.
Hazard identified
The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration warned consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain the undeclared drug sibutramine.
- Sibutramine was previously used to treat obesity but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because of its association with an increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack and stroke.
Place of origin
Unknown
Side effects
In addition to heart attack and stroke, side-effects associated with sibutramine include increased blood pressure and heart rate, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping and constipation.
Meizi Evolution Botanical Slimming soft gel capsules
Hazard identified
The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration warned consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain the undeclared drug sibutramine.
- Sibutramine was previously used to treat obesity but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because of its association with an increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack and stroke.
Place of origin
Unknown
Side effects
In addition to heart attack and stroke, side-effects associated with sibutramine include increased blood pressure and heart rate, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping and constipation.
Libigirl capsules
Product description
This product is promoted for female sexual enhancement
Hazard identified
The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration warned consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain the undeclared prescription drugs sildenafil and tadalafil.
- Sildenafil and tadalafil are prescription drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction. They should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
Place of origin
Unknown
Side effects
Sildenafil and tadalafil should not be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g., nitroglycerine) as they can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure. Individuals with heart problems are at increased risk of cardiovascular side-effects such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure and abnormal heartbeat. Other side-effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision, and hearing loss.
What you should do
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.
Canadians who have this product are advised not to use it, and should consult with a health care practitioner if they have concerns about their health related to the use of this product.
Background
Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have 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. Some products may also still have an Exemption Number (EN). Health Canada has allowed a transition period for industry to move natural health products through the market that were labelled with temporary EN numbers.
As of July 30, 2013, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of these products have been reported to Health 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
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