Slimming Factor

Starting date:

February 3, 2011

Posting date:

February 3, 2011

Type of communication:

Foreign Product Alert (FPA)

Subcategory:

Natural health products

Source of recall:

Health Canada

Issue:

Undeclared Substance, Product Safety

Audience:

General Public

Identification number:

RA-120001635

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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

Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

Product names

Slimming Factor

Manufacturer / Place of origin

Unknown

Product description

Slimming Factor is promoted as a 100% herbal product used for weight loss. The product contains two different-coloured capsules.

Reason for warning

The Australian TGA warned consumers not to buy or use Slimming Factor after TGA lab tests confirmed the presence of the undeclared substances sibutramine, fenfluramine and phenolphthalein. According to the TGA release, the product is sold over the Internet.

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.

Fenfluramine was previously used to treat obesity but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because of its association with primary pulmonary hypertension (severe lung disease) and heart valve disease.

Phenolphthalein was previously used as a laxative but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because it may cause cancer.

Possible 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.

Additional side effects associated with fenfluramine include headache, drowsiness, dizziness, palpitation, diarrhea and dry mouth.

Additional side effects associated with phenolphthalein include decreased blood pressure, skin rash and gastrointestinal bleeding.

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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