Products found to contain undeclared medicines
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| Singapore: HSA Alert: Three Products Found with Banned or Potent Ingredients; Three Consumers Suffered Adverse Effects |
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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is alerting members of the public not to purchase or use “88 Total White Underarm Cream”, “Sausando Cellulite Pills” and “Pelangsing Double Strong”. Three consumers experienced adverse effects, of whom two were hospitalised, after using “88 Total White Underarm Cream” and “Sausando Cellulite Pills”. HSA’s tests revealed that these illegal products contained banned or potent ingredients, including sibutramine and a high level of mercury. The affected products are:
- “88 Total White Underarm Cream”: contains mercury (toxic heavy metal), betamethasone (potent steroid), salicylic acid (anti-acne and exfoliating agent)
- “Sausando Cellulite Pills”: contains sibutramine (banned medicinal substance), phenolphthalein (laxative), frusemide (diuretic)
- “Pelangsing Double Strong”: contains sibutramine (banned medicinal substance), n-desmethylsibutramine (a chemical similar to sibutramine), diclofenac (painkiller)
A woman in her 30s was hospitalised after using “88 Total White Underarm Cream” on her underarms for a month. She developed a severe rash affecting most parts of her body, as well as liver impairment with raised liver enzymes and jaundice. She was diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) due to mercury exposure. DRESS syndrome is a severe hypersensitivity reaction characterised by skin rash, blood abnormalities and multi-organ involvement (e.g injury to the liver and/or kidney) which can be life-threatening. The woman had purchased the cream from a local retail shop in Lucky Plaza. The product was touted to provide whitening effect and smooth skin, and reduce body odour. HSA’s analysis revealed that it contained a high level of mercury and two other potent medicinal ingredients, betamethasone and salicylic acid.
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal and is prohibited for use in cosmetic products. Mercury may cause rashes, skin irritation and blotchiness, and can be absorbed through the skin to cause numbness, dizziness and headaches. Long-term exposure to high levels of mercury can cause serious health consequences. Betamethasone is a potent steroid which should only be used under medical supervision as it can cause serious adverse effects if used inappropriately. Salicylic acid is used to treat common skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and dandruff, and could lead to dry, irritated skin and rashes, if used in high amounts.
A man in his 50s was hospitalised after he experienced seizures (fits), hyponatraemia (low level of sodium in blood) and vomiting. He had been taking “Sausando Cellulite Pills” for five months. Another female consumer experienced thirst, insomnia, and heart palpitations after taking this same product. “Sausando Cellulite Pills” was marketed for weight loss, with claims that it could cause one to “lose weight fast in 7 days” and was a “natural health food”. Contrary to the latter claim, HSA's analysis detected potent medicinal ingredients, sibutramine, frusemide and phenolphthalein.
HSA was alerted to the online sale of “Pelangsing Double Strong” by a member of the public. The product was sold as a slimming supplement “to lose weight and to maintain ideal body weight”. HSA tested the product and found that it contained sibutramine, n-desmethylsibutamine (a chemical similar to sibutramine) and diclofenac.
Sibutramine is a prescription only weight loss medicine banned in Singapore since 2010 due to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Other serious health consequences reported with its use include heart problems and central nervous system disorders (e.g. psychosis and hallucinations). Seizures have also been reported with sibutramine.
Please refer to the following website in HSA for details:
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/announcements/press-release/hsa-alert-three-products-found-with-banned-or-potent-ingredients
In Hong Kong, the above products are not registered pharmaceutical products.
Ends/Saturday, Jun 29, 2024
Issued at HKT 12:00
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