Health Canada is advising Canadians that it has seized unauthorized health products being sold at 24 Hour Adult Mart on Yonge St., Toronto, ON (units 540, 538 and 536).
Three of the seized products are “poppers” (Rush, Ram and The Original Jungle Juice Platinum) labelled to contain alkyl nitrites. These can be dangerous if inhaled or ingested. The other seized products are promoted for sexual enhancement and labelled to contain drugs that may pose serious health risks (DHEA, pregnenolone, and yohimbe/yohimbine).
The 16 unauthorized products are
． Rush, Ram: labelled to contain alkyl nitrite;
． The Original Jungle Juice Platinum: labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite;
． 7K, Herbal Viva, Herbal Vivid, LipsTenZen, Max Desire, Max Stamina, Passion Classic, Red Lips Premium 1 capsule, Rodeo Fantasy, Wet XXX: labelled to contain yohimbe;
． Extenze Male Supplement: labelled to contain DHEA, pregnenolone, and yohimbine;
． Gun Oil High Caliber Performance: labelled to contain DHEA and yohimbine; and
． Rock On: labelled to contain DHEA.
`Poppers` is a slang term for products that contain alkyl nitrites. Despite being labelled for use as leather cleaners, room odourizers or liquid incense, these products are inhaled or ingested by consumers for recreational purposes. Products containing alkyl nitrites may pose serious risks, including death, depending on the amount used, how frequently they are used and how long they are used for, as well as the person's health and the other medications they may be taking. Since it is difficult to control how much is inhaled, people can accidentally overdose. Swallowing these products can lead to serious medical complications and may be fatal. People with certain medical conditions (including recent head trauma, bleeding into the head, glaucoma, or heart disease) and those taking certain medications (particularly drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction, and other drugs such as high blood pressure medications, certain migraine drugs, and high doses of aspirin) or illicit drugs are at particular risk.
Health Canada maintains a list of retail locations across Canada that have been found to be selling `poppers.` Canadians can monitor the list for updates in their area.
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, as well as 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.
Pregnenolone is a prescription 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. Pregnenolone should not be used by women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, and should be avoided by individuals who suffer from epileptic seizures or who are taking anti-seizure medications.
Yohimbine is a prescription drug and should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. The use of drugs containing yohimbine (either as yohimbine hydrochloride or yohimbe bark extract) may result in serious adverse reactions, particularly in people with high blood pressure, or heart, kidney or liver disease. Side effects associated with yohimbine include increased blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety, dizziness, tremors, headache, nausea and sleep disorders. It should not be used by children, or pregnant or nursing women.
Consumers are advised to stop using these products, and consult with their health care professional if they have used any of these products and have health concerns.
Please refer to the following website in Health Canada for details:
http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/../61934a-eng.php
In Hong Kong, the above products are not registered pharmaceutical products.
Ends/ Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:00
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