Unauthorized workout supplements may pose serious health risks
Brand(s)
Summary
Stop using these products and consult your health care professional if you have health concerns. Report these or any unauthorized health products to Health Canada.
Affected products
| Photo | Product | Hazard Identified | Company | Action Taken | Date Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
5150 Stim Crazy Pre Workout | Labelled to contain rauvolfia (yohimbine) | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
Iron Brothers Supplements Thermo Burn | Labelled to contain yohimbine | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
Insane Labz Psychotic – Fruit Punch | Labelled to contain rauwolfia vomitoria extract (std. min. 90% alpha yohimbine) | Gym Rat Supplements & Apparel 8761 84 St. Unit 101 Fort Saskatchewan, AB |
Seized from retail location | 2023-05-18 |
 |
Insane Labz Psychotic – Cherry Bomb | Labelled to contain rauwolfia vomitoria extract (std. min. 90% alpha yohimbine) | Gym Rat Supplements & Apparel 8761 84 St. Unit 101 Fort Saskatchewan, AB |
Seized from retail location | 2023-05-18 |
 |
Killer Labz Stim Reaper – Orange Mango |
Labelled to contain rauwolscine (rauwolfia vomitoria extract) (rauwolscine is also known as yohimbine) | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
Killer Labz Stim Reaper – Furious Punch |
Labelled to contain rauwolscine (rauwolfia vomitoria extract) (rauwolscine is also known as yohimbine) | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
Killer Labz Stim Reaper – American Pop | Labelled to contain rauwolscine (rauwolfia vomitoria extract) (rauwolscine is also known as yohimbine) | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
Killer Labz Stim Reaper – Blue Raspberry | Labelled to contain rauwolscine (rauwolfia vomitoria extract) (rauwolscine is also known as yohimbine) | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
Killer Labz Stim Reaper – Watermelon | Labelled to contain rauwolscine (rauwolfia vomitoria extract) (rauwolscine is also known as yohimbine) | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
MYO-HGH | Labelled to contain ibutamoren (MK-677) | Gym Rat Supplements & Apparel 8761 84 St. Unit 101 Fort Saskatchewan, AB |
Seized from retail location | 2023-05-18 |
 |
MYO-RAD | Labelled to contain testolone (RAD-140) | Gym Rat Supplements & Apparel 8761 84 St. Unit 101 Fort Saskatchewan, AB |
Seized from retail location | 2023-05-18 |
 |
MYO-RAD RAD 140 Testolone | Labelled to contain RAD-140 testolone | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
MYO-YK | Labelled to contain myostine (YK-11) | Gym Rat Supplements & Apparel 8761 84 St. Unit 101 Fort Saskatchewan, AB |
Seized from retail location | 2023-05-18 |
 |
Nutrifitt Carnage Pre-Workout | Labelled to contain yohimbine and rauwolfia (rauwolfia vomitoria) extract | Gym Rat Supplements &amo; Apparel 8761 84 St. Unit 101 Fort Saskatchewan, AB |
Seized from retail location | 2023-05-18 |
 |
NutriFitt Serum Pre Workout | Labelled to contain yohimbine and rauwolfia | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
Predator Labs GW501516 Cardarine | Labelled to contain cardarine (GW501516) | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
Predator Labs MK-2866 Ostarine | Labelled to contain ostarine (MK 2866) | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
Predator Labs MK-677 Ibutamoren | Labelled to contain ibutamoren (MK-667) | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
Predator Labs YK-11 MYO-X | Labelled to contain myostine (YK-11) | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
Proctor Laboratories MK677 | Labelled to contain ibutamoren (MK-667) | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
Proctor Laboratories RAD 140 | Labelled to contain testolone (RAD-140) | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
Raw Burn | Labelled to contain yohimbine | Gym Rat Supplements & Apparel 8761 84 St. Unit 101 Fort Saskatchewan, AB |
Seized from retail location | 2023-05-18 |
 |
Thermal Caffeine Albuterol Yohimbine | Labelled to contain albuterol (salbutamol) and yohimbine | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
Yohimbine HCl | Labelled to contain yohimbine | Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins #2 1406 3 Ave S Lethbridge, AB |
Seized from the retail location | 2023-03-22 |
 |
Yohimbine HCl | Labelled to contain yohimbine | Gym Rat Supplements & Apparel 8761 84 St. Unit 101 Fort Saskatchewan, AB |
Seized from retail location | 2023-05-18 |
 |
MS Pro Burn Yohimbine HCL | Labelled to contain yohimbine | Smash Supplements 124B 1st Street Brooks, AB |
Seized from retail location | 2023-05-18 |
.jpg) |
NutriFitt Carnage Advanced High Stim Pre Workout Grape Candy | Labelled to contain yohimbine and rauwolfia | Smash Supplements 124B 1st Street Brooks, AB |
Seized from retail location | 2023-05-18 |
.jpg) |
NutriFitt Symbiote High Stim Pre Workout White Out | Labelled to contain yohimbine and rauwolfia | Smash Supplements 124B 1st Street Brooks, AB |
Seized from retail location | 2023-05-18 |
.jpg) |
NutriFitt Symbiote High Stim Pre Workout Dragon Gummy | Labelled to contain yohimbine and rauwolfia | Smash Supplements 124B 1st Street Brooks, AB |
Seized from retail location | 2023-05-18 |
.jpg) |
NutriFitt Symbiote High Stim Pre Workout Maniacal Melon | Labelled to contain yohimbine and rauwolfia | Smash Supplements 124B 1st Street Brooks, AB |
Seized from retail location | 2023-05-18 |
Issue
Health Canada is advising about unauthorized workout products that may pose serious health risks. The products are labelled to contain or have been tested and found to contain dangerous ingredients. Health Canada updates the table when it finds unauthorized health products promoted as a workout aid. Links to previous tables with affected products are also available below.
Unauthorized health products have not been approved by Health Canada, which means that they have not been assessed for safety, effectiveness and quality. Unauthorized health products can pose many health dangers, including:
- They may contain ingredients not listed on the label. This includes ingredients like prescription drugs, possibly at doses exceeding maximum recommended amounts. Prescription drugs should be taken only under the supervision of a health professional because they may cause serious side effects. Using a product that contains ingredients that the consumer is not aware of increases the chance of dangerous allergies and interactions with other medications and foods.
- The label may indicate a dangerous ingredient or combination of ingredients. For example, it could list a drug that should be available only by prescription from a health care professional, or a combination of ingredients that Health Canada does not permit because of serious health risks.
Health Canada maintains this page so that the public can easily identify products they may have purchased and take appropriate action. You are encouraged to check back regularly for updates. Advisories on safety issues involving other types of products are available in the recalls and safety alerts database.
What you should do
- Stop using the products listed in the table. Consult your health care professional if you have used these products and have health concerns, and for advice on which health products are best for you and your family.
- Read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM). You can also check if products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada’s Drug Product Database and Licensed Natural Health Product Database.
- Report any health product adverse events or complaints to Health Canada.
- See these helpful links for additional information on buying health products safely:
What companies should know:
- Selling unauthorized health products in Canada is illegal.
- When Health Canada identifies unauthorized products that may pose serious health risks, Health Canada takes appropriate action to prevent further distribution and informs the public. This includes working with the Canada Border Services Agency to help prevent further importation of unauthorized products.
Additional information
Background
Cardarine (also known as GW501516 and GW1516), ibutamoren (MK-677) and stenabolic (SR-9009) are not authorized in Canada for any use and may pose serious health risks. All clinical development activities to bring GW501516 to market were stopped when toxicities, including various cancers, were discovered following routine, long-term animal studies. The long-term effects in humans are unknown.
Rauwolfia (also known as rauvolfia) is a prescription drug that is not authorized for sale in Canada. Rauwolfia can be used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). People with heart conditions or psychiatric disorders should receive close medical supervision when using it as it can make certain conditions, such as depression, worse. Common side effects include tiredness, sleepiness, depression, nasal obstruction and breathlessness. Rauwolfia should not be used by children, or pregnant or nursing people.
Salbutamol (also known as albuterol) in oral format is a prescription drug currently not marketed in Canada. It is used to treat wheezing and shortness of breath caused by breathing problems (such as asthma). Its most common side effects are nervousness and tremor. Other side effects include headache, nausea, and increased heart rate. Overdose may lead to serious side effects such as reduced blood potassium levels and abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). The safety of oral salbutamol in pregnancy or breastfeeding is unknown. Oral salbutamol may interfere with uterine contractions during labour and delivery.
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) are drugs that are not authorized in Canada for any use and have not been reviewed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality. The use of bodybuilding products that contain SARMs can pose serious health risks such as heart attack, stroke and liver damage. The long-term effects on the body are unknown. Examples include andarine, ostarine (MK 2866), ligandrol (LGD-4033), myostine (YK-11), and testolone (RAD-140).
Yohimbine is a prescription drug and should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. Yohimbine is derived from yohimbe, a bark extract. The use of yohimbine or yohimbe may result in serious adverse reactions particularly in people with high blood pressure, or heart, kidney or liver disease. Side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety, dizziness, tremors, headache, nausea and sleep disorders. It should not be used by people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, those who have liver, heart, or kidney disease (especially people with a history of stomach or intestinal ulcers), or by people with psychiatric conditions.
Previous recalls or alerts
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (June 16, 2022 to February 10, 2023)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (March 26, 2021 to June 3, 2022)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (February 18, 2021 – Part 1)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (February 18, 2021 – Part 2)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (November 25, 2020)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (October 21, 2020)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (September 16, 2020: Part 1)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (September 16, 2020: Part 2)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (February 10, 2020 to March 13, 2020)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (December 9, 2019 to January, 17 2020)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (October 2, 2019 to November 19, 2019)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (August 12, 2019 to September 18, 2019)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (June 11, 2019 to July 26, 2019)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (May 17, 2019 - Part 1)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (May 17, 2019 - Part 2)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (December 10, 2018 to April 17, 2019)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (June 5, 2018 to November 7, 2018)
- Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (November 17, 2017 to May 23, 2018)
Details
Media and public enquiries
Media enquiries
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca
Public enquiries
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
info@hc-sc.gc.ca