Advisory
2006-30
May 16, 2006
For immediate release
Health Canada advises heart patients not to use products containing L-arginine
OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising patients who have previously had a heart attack
not to use L-arginine supplements because of a recent study showing an increased potential risk of
death when used after a heart attack.
L-arginine is an amino acid which is commonly used to sustain and promote healthy heart function.
However, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in
January 2006 suggests that L-arginine may not help improve heart and circulatory function following
a first heart attack and may be associated with an increased risk of death when used after a heart
attack.
All L-arginine products must carry a warning on their label that reflects the recent scientific
information. Health Canada has issued a stop-sale and recall on L-arginine-containing products that
do not have the appropriate labelling. As well, products containing L-arginine must have market authorization
before they can be sold in Canada.
For patients with heart disease who have not had a previous heart attack, taking L-arginine is unlikely
to present a risk and may provide benefits since L-arginine may help the body repair damage to blood
vessels in the heart.
Consumers who have used products containing L-arginine after a heart attack and have concerns about
their health should contact their physician or health care practitioner.
To report a suspected adverse reaction to L-arginine or any other product, please contact the Canadian
Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program (CADRMP) of Health Canada by one of the following methods:
Telephone: 866-234-2345
Facsimile: 866-678-6789
CADRMP
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Health Protection Building, Tunney's Pasture, AL 0701C
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0K9
Email: cadrmp@hc-sc.gc.ca
Consumers requiring more information about this advisory can contact Health Canada's public enquiries
line at (613) 957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.
-30-
Media Inquiries:
Nathalie Lalonde
Health Canada
(613) 957-1803
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
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