Unauthorized health products seized from Tokyo Beauty and Healthcare store in Richmond, B.C., may pose serious health risks

Aminocaproic acid is a prescription drug ingredient used to decrease bleeding in various clinical situations. Exposure to aminocaproic acid in the eye may affect the eye itself, and the acid may be absorbed through the tear ducts into the blood. Side effects may include watery eyes, vision changes, headache, dizziness, nausea, muscle weakness and skin rash.

Dihydrocodeine phosphate is a controlled substance regulated under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and is similar to the opioid codeine. Although codeine is approved in Canada, Health Canada has not authorized any drug products containing dihydrocodeine. Dihydrocodeine tablets are approved in certain countries for the relief of severe and chronic pain or as cough suppressants. Common adverse reactions include dizziness, headache, vertigo, visual disturbances, confusion, euphoria, nausea, and constipation. As with all opioids, use of dihydrocodeine may lead to drug dependence (addiction). Dihydrocodeine may cause slowed or stopped breathing, which can lead to severe drowsiness, unconsciousness, and death (opioid overdose). People with other medical conditions, including but not limited to those that affect the lungs, liver or kidney, may be at a higher risk of overdose. Children are more susceptible to overdose due to their smaller size. Dihydrocodeine should not be used by those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or by those with an allergy to dihydrocodeine. Using dihydrocodeine with other central nervous system depressants (e.g. alcohol, sleeping pills, etc.) may worsen its effects. In cases of overdose, naloxone can temporarily reverse the effects of dihydrocodeine.

Folic acid tablets at strengths above 1 mg are prescription drugs available in Canada for the prevention and treatment of: folate deficiency, birth defects, and side effects related to methotrexate treatment. Folic acid should not be taken at doses of more than 1 mg per day without the advice of a health care professional. Taking too much folic acid may hide signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency and increase the risk of progressive, unrecognized neurological damage. Taking too much folic acid may also increase the risk of colorectal and possibly other cancers in certain individuals. High doses of folic acid might lead to symptoms, including loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal bloating, gas, bitter taste, changes to sleep, trouble concentrating, depression, impaired judgement, and feeling irritable, excited, overactive or confused. Rare but serious side effects include severe allergic reactions. Folic acid should not be used by people who have untreated vitamin B12 deficiency. Oral folic acid is not to be used by people who have diseases of the small intestine, especially Crohn's disease and celiac disease, due to difficulties absorbing folic acid.

Ibuprofen piconol 3% is a topical (applied to the skin) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve burns. Health Canada has not approved any drugs containing ibuprofen for topical use. Ibuprofen absorbed through the skin may cause side effects throughout the body, especially when used over a large surface area and for a long time, or on damaged skin. Topical ibuprofen may cause serious side effects in people who are allergic to ibuprofen, aspirin or other NSAIDs, or who are asthmatic. Use of topical ibuprofen may also cause serious side effects such as stomach and intestinal bleeding, renal (kidney) dysfunction or failure, or cardiovascular dysfunction or failure in people who have problems with these organs. Topical ibuprofen can also cause serious side effects in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, such as delayed and increased duration of labour.

Neostigmine methylsulfate is a prescription drug available in Canada as an injection used to prevent and treat urine retention and intestinal complications after surgery, to reverse the paralyzing effect of certain drugs used in surgery and in shock therapy, and to control symptoms of myasthenia gravis (a disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles). It has not been approved for use as eye drops in Canada. In the past, drugs similar to neostigmine were used to treat glaucoma, a group of eye diseases traditionally characterized by elevated pressure within the eye. These medications are no longer widely used because of the significant number of potential eye-related side effects, including blurred distance vision, frontal headaches, twitching lids, red eyes, cataracts (clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye), allergic reactions, iris cysts, retinal detachment with symptoms of reduced vision, sudden appearance of flashes of light or floaters that could lead to permanent vision loss, and the potential for causing a specific type of glaucoma attack with potential permanent vision loss. In addition, absorption into the nose via the tear duct may cause serious cardiac and respiratory side effects.

Prednisolone valerate acetate is a prescription corticosteroid drug available in Canada as eye drops used to treat inflammation of several parts of the eye. It has not been approved for use in creams or ointments in Canada. Common side effects for topical corticosteroids include skin atrophy (thin and fragile skin with reduced elasticity), skin blood vessel changes (e.g., spider veins), change in skin color, stretch marks, swelling, dry skin, burning sensation, local irritation, rash, redness, itching, thinning hair or excessive hair growth, infections and allergic reactions. Topical corticosteroids absorbed through the skin may cause side effects throughout the body, especially when used over a large surface area and for a long time. This risk is greater in children, who may absorb proportionally larger amounts and be more susceptible to side effects. Systemic side effects could include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, blurred vision, uneven heartbeats, weakness, and swelling. Prednisolone acetate should not be used in patients who are allergic to prednisolone acetate or to any ingredient in the formulation. Prednisolone acetate is not to be used in children and is not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Salicylic acid is a prescription drug when sold for topical uses at concentrations greater than 20% or with a certain level of acidity (pH less than 3.0) except when sold to be applied to warts, corns or calluses. It is also used to treat acne. It should not be used by people who are allergic to salicylic acid, by people with diabetes, poor circulation, loss of sensation in the extremities (e.g., hands and feet), or by children and teenagers with the flu or chicken pox (as it may increase the risk of Reye's syndrome, a serious disease that might lead to seizures and coma). It should not be used by pregnant or nursing people unless the area of exposure and duration of therapy is limited. Some products containing salicylic acid should not be used in children younger than two years of age. Salicylic acid can cause serious allergic reactions (hives, itching, trouble breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, or tongue), and severe skin irritation (redness, burning, dryness, itching, and peeling). It can also cause salicylate toxicity, a serious condition with nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of hearing, ringing in the ears, diarrhea, confusion, rapid breathing, and drowsiness. Side effects are more likely to occur in children and in people with kidney or liver disease, and with prolonged use over large areas. Salicylic acid should not be used on infected areas, on moles, birthmarks, warts with hair growing from them, or warts on the face.

Ursodeoxycholic acid is a prescription drug used for the management of cholestatic liver diseases (diseases that involve blocked or reduced bile flow from the liver). Serious side effects of taking ursodeoxycholic acid include allergic reactions, chest pain and difficulty breathing, stomach ache, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, swelling of the extremities (e.g., hands and feet), high blood pressure, fatigue, dizziness, headache, itchiness, fever and jaundice. Some patients have experienced additional symptoms such as vomiting and pain in the abdominal area caused by blockages in the gastrointestinal tract, which requires medical intervention. Blood tests are needed to monitor for the risk of liver toxicity from taking this drug. Ursodeoxycholic acid should not be used by people who have an allergy to ursodiol, have a blockage of bile flow due to liver or other disease, or by people who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.