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Public advisory

Unauthorized products being sold in Mississauga, Ont., seized by Health Canada

Starting date:
June 30, 2015
Type of communication:
Advisory
Subcategory:
Drugs
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Issue:
Unauthorized products
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-54022

Issue

Three unauthorized health products that may pose serious risks to the health of Canadians were seized by Health Canada. The products, “Sport X Ephedrine”, “DHEA 25” and “Promatrix DHEA 25” were being sold by S&H Health Foods, 2150 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W., Mississauga.

What you should do

  • Consult your doctor if you have used any of these three products and have health concerns.
  • Read the label of the products you buy to verify that they have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality. Health products that have been authorized for sale by Health Canada will have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) or a Natural Product Number (NPN) on the label.
  • Products that have been authorized for sale can be found by searching the Drug Product Database and the Licensed Natural Health Product Database.
  • Report any adverse events to Health Canada.
  • Report complaints about health products to Health Canada by calling toll-free to 1-800-267-9675, or complete an online complaint form.

Who is affected

Consumers who have bought or used “Sport X Ephedrine”, “DHEA 25” and “Promatrix DHEA 25”.

Background

DHEA is a controlled drug that can cause higher than normal levels of female and male hormones in the body and could increase the risk of prostate, breast, ovarian, and other hormone-sensitive cancers. Potential side effects include serious cardiovascular disease, and changes in fertility and sperm production. DHEA should be avoided by individuals with a history of abnormal heart rhythms, blood clotting disorders, liver disease and those who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Use of products containing ephedrine is not recommended in people with heart problems, hypertension, thyroid disease, diabetes, enlarged prostate, anxiety and restlessness, glaucoma (serious eye disorder) and pheochromocytoma (serious gland disorder) because ephedra/ephedrine aggravates these conditions. Consumers should use ephedra/ephedrine products only for the approved indication of nasal decongestion, and should not exceed the maximum allowable dosage described in the ephedra and ephedrine/pseudoephedrine labelling standards, unless this has been recommended by -- and you are under the surveillance of -- a health care practitioner. These products should also be avoided during pregnancy and lactation.

Affected products

1. Sport X Ephedrine

Product description

Front of bottle: Sport X Ephedrine ---- bottle of 100 tablets (25 mg)

Images (select thumbnail to enlarge - opens in a new window)


2. DHEA 25

Product description

Front of bottle: DHEA 25 - bottle of 120 capsules (25 mg)

Images (select thumbnail to enlarge - opens in a new window)


3. Promatrix DHEA 25

Product description

Front of bottle: Promatrix DHEA 25 - bottle of 60 capsules (25 mg)

Images (select thumbnail to enlarge - opens in a new window)


Report health or safety concerns

  • Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
  • Visit MedEffect 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

What Health Canada is doing

Health Canada seized these products from the retailer S&H Health Foods, 2150 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W, Mississauga. Should additional retailers or distributors of these products be identified, Health Canada will take appropriate action and inform Canadians.