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Information update

Important Information About Acai Berry Products Containing Prescription Medication

Starting date:
January 15, 2010
Posting date:
January 15, 2010
Type of communication:
Information Update
Subcategory:
Natural health products
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Issue:
Undeclared Substance
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-26165

Health Canada is advising Canadians not to use certain Acai Berry products after a large number of shipments of adulterated products were stopped at the border. The product names include: Vital Acai Super Antioxidant Weight Loss, Vital Rezv America's #1 Anti-Aging Pill, Pure ResV America's #1 Anti-Aging Pill, Acai Power Blast, Acai Pure Ultra, Acai Berry Blast Powered with Pure Acai Fruit, Anti-Aging Acai Berry, Gurana Blast, Brazillian Pure, Muscle Mass.

These products are advertised for anti-aging and weight loss and were found to contain undeclared Sildenafil, a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil may cause serious side effects in some individuals and should be used only under the supervision of a health care practitioner.

Sildenafil should never be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g. nitroglycerine) as it 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 heart beat. Other side-effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision, and hearing loss.

These products are not authorized for sale in Canada but it is possible they may have been brought into the country by travellers or purchased over the internet.

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 and have been licensed for sale.

Canadians who have purchased or used these products and are concerned about their health should consult a health care practitioner. Health Canada has not received any domestic reports of adverse reactions associated with the use of these seven products.

Health Canada reminds Canadians to always be cautious about purchasing health products or medications via the Internet.

Consumers requiring more information about this information update can contact Health Canada's public enquiries line at 613-957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.

You can report any adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following three ways:

Report online at the MedEffect™ Canada section of the Health Canada website

Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345

Complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and either:

Fax toll-free to 1-866-678-6789

Mail to: Canada Vigilance Program

Health Canada

AL 0701C

Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9


Media enquiries

Health Canada
613-957-2983

Public enquiries

613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709

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