Foreign Product Alerts: Powerful leg-slimming capsules, Pink grain herbal slimming capsules, and Night fat-burning slimming capsules
- Starting date:
- July 16, 2014
- Posting date:
- July 16, 2014
- Type of communication:
- Foreign Product Alert (FPA)
- Subcategory:
- Natural health products
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Source of alert:
-
Australian Therapeutic Goods Administratio
- Issue:
- Undeclared Substance
- Audience:
- General Public
- Identification number:
- RA-40545
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
- Powerful leg-slimming capsules
- Pink grain herbal slimming capsules
- Night fat-burning slimming capsules
Powerful leg-slimming capsules, Pink grain herbal slimming capsules, and Night fat-burning slimming capsules
Product description
These products are promoted for weight loss.
Hazard identified
The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) warned consumers not to use these products after they were found to contain undeclared phenolphthalein and diclofenac. The product, Night fat-burning slimming capsules, was also found to contain undeclared theophylline.
- Phenolphthalein was previously used as a laxative but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because it may cause cancer.
- Diclofenac is a prescription drug in the family known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and is used to treat pain, fever and inflammation. Oral diclofenac should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
- Theophylline is a prescription drug used to treat asthma and bronchitis. It should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Place of origin
Unknown
Side effects
Additional side effects associated with phenolphthalein include decreased blood pressure, skin rash and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Side effects associated with diclofenac include changes in blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders (with or without bleeding), anemia, kidney failure and reduced blood clotting ability.
Side effects associated with theophylline include, stomach pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, fast or irregular heartbeat, headache, restlessness, trembling, muscle twitching, and convulsions (seizures).
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 products listed above in the Canadian marketplace.
Canadians who have these products are advised not to use them, and should consult with a healthcare professional if they have concerns about their health related to the use of these products.
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 May 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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