Foreign Product Alerts: Instant Slim
- Starting date:
- May 1, 2014
- Posting date:
- May 1, 2014
- Type of communication:
- Foreign Product Alert (FPA)
- Subcategory:
- Natural health products
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Source of alert:
-
US FDA
- Issue:
- Undeclared Substance
- Audience:
- General Public
- Identification number:
- RA-39295
Introduction
This product is not authorized for sale in Canada and has not been found in the Canadian marketplace, but it is possible it may have been brought into the country by travellers or purchased over the Internet.
Affected product
- Instant Slim
Other product names are printed in international characters on the package and translate to "Abdomen Hips Fruit Flavoured Slimming Capsules," and "Reducing Belly and Lifting the Buttocks."
Instant Slim
Product description
This product is promoted for weight loss.
Hazard identified
The US FDA warned consumers not to use this product after it was found to contain undeclared sibutramine and phenolphthalein.
Place of origin
Unknown.
Side effects
The side effects associated with sibutramine include heart attack and stroke, as well as increased blood pressure and heart rate, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping and constipation.
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 healthcare professional 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.
As of April 15, 2014, 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
To report a side effect to a health product to Health Canada:
- 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
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