Products found to contain undeclared medicines
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| Singapore: HSA alerts public to eight illegal health products sold online which contain potent western medicinal ingredients |
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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is alerting members of the public not to purchase or consume eight illegal health products, which are available locally via the Internet and marketed as dietary and sports nutrition supplements. These products were found to contain potent western medicinal ingredients, which are not allowed in supplements sold in Singapore. These ingredients can cause serious adverse reactions when not taken under strict medical supervision. The products were detected through HSA’s ongoing surveillance of Internet sales activities, and the investigations show that some consumers in Singapore may have bought the products online. A number of sellers are currently assisting HSA with investigations.
These eight products were marketed for energy boosting, muscle building, or weight loss purposes, and were found to contain the following potent western medicinal ingredients:
• Nutrex Research Lipo 6 Black Ultra Concentrate, Nutrex Research Lipo 6 Unlimited and Primaforce Yohimbine HCL: yohimbine;
• Muscletech Neurocore Grape / Muscletech Neurocore Fruit Punch: yohimbine and deanol;
• Muscletech Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite and Xenadrine XT Xtreme Thermogenic: yohimbine and raubasine;
• BSN N.O.-Xplode 2.0 Advanced Strength: vinpocetine; and
• Skinny 22”: phenolphthalein
The western medicinal ingredients present in the eight products may cause serious adverse reactions and interact with other medications that consumers are taking. Possible adverse reactions associated with these ingredients are as follows:
(i) Yohimbine may cause insomnia, anxiety, palpitations, chest pain, sweating, blurred vision and high blood pressure;
(ii) Raubasine may cause gastric discomfort, dizziness, hypotension, confusion and rapid heartbeat;
(iii) Vinpocetine may cause facial flushing, decrease of blood pressure, dizziness, headache, insomnia, sleep disturbances and rapid heart rate;
(iv) Deanol may cause constipation, itching, insomnia, restlessness, and headache; and
(v) Phenolphthalein may cause rashes, abdominal cramps, breathing difficulties and kidney disorders.
Consumers are advised to stop using these products immediately and consult a doctor if they feel unwell.
Please refer to the following website in HSA for details:
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/content/hsa/../hsa-alerts-publictoeightillegalhealthproductssoldonlinewhichcont.html
In Hong Kong, the above products are not registered pharmaceutical products.
Ends/ Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Issued at HKT 13:00
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