Safety Alerts and Products Recalls > Products found to contain undeclared medicines

Products found to contain undeclared medicines   Public urged not to buy or use slimming products with undeclared and banned drug ingredients (with photo)   The Department of Health (DH) today (June 5) appealed to members of the public not to buy or consume two oral products labelled as Super Fat Burning Bomb and OxyELITE Pro, as they may contain multiple undeclared and banned Western drug ingredients that might be dangerous to health. The appeal followed the DH's receipt of notification of two cases from the Hospital Authority (HA) involving two female patients aged 34 and 21. The DH commenced investigation immediately. The 34-year-old patient collapsed on May 12 and was sent to the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of Queen Elizabeth Hospital for management. She was diagnosed as having intra-cranial haemorrhage. She described a history of consumption of the slimming product named Super Fat Burning Bomb and she is currently in stable condition. Separately, the 21-year-old patient attended the AED of Kwong Wah Hospital on May 29 for acute hepatitis symptoms. She described a history of consumption of the slimming product named OxyELITE Pro. A drug-related adverse effect was hence suspected clinically. She was discharged on June 2 after treatment. "The HA's laboratory test results today on both product samples showed the presence of undeclared or banned Western medicines. Sibutramine and phenolphthalein were detected in Super Fat Burning Bomb, while yohimbine was detected in OxyELITE Pro. The DH's investigation is continuing," a DH spokesman said. The spokesman explained, "Sibutramine is a Part I poison and was once a Western medicine used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, all products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of an increased cardiovascular risk. Phenolphthalein was once used for treating constipation but has been banned in Hong Kong for its possible cancer-causing effect. "Yohimbine, a Part I poison, was sometimes used in the treatment of orthostatic hypotension. Its side-effects include increase in heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, manic reactions and bronchospasm. Products containing yohimbine can only be sold in a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist." The spokesman urged members of the public who have purchased the above products to stop using them immediately. In addition, they are advised not to buy or consume products of unknown composition or from doubtful sources. People who are feeling unwell or in doubt after using the products should consult health-care professionals. They can submit the products to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal. "Weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult health-care professionals before using any medication for weight control," the spokesman remarked. Ends/Wednesday, June 5, 2013 Issued at HKT 19:47 NNNN   The laboratory test result showed the presence of sibutramine and phenolphthalein in Super Fat Burning Bomb.