Advisory

2006-15
April 5, 2006
For immediate release

Health Canada advises consumers not to use Super Fat Burning and LiDa Daidaihua Slimming Capsules for weight loss

OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising consumers not to use two herbal weight loss products from China because they have been found to contain sibutramine, a prescription medication that should only be taken under medical supervision.

Super Fat Burning and LiDa Daidaihua Slimming Capsules are not authorized for sale in Canada. The two products have so far not been found on the Canadian market, but they may have been brought into the country for personal use by travellers or been purchased by Canadians over the Internet.

Sibutramine is a prescription medication that suppresses the appetite. If used improperly, sibutramine can have serious health consequences, including increased heart rate and blood pressure as well as increased pressure to the eyes causing pain and hemorrhaging. Individuals with heart or circulatory problems should not take sibutramine. It should also not be taken with medications such as antidepressants that can affect the level of hormone serotonin in the brain.

Consumers who are currently using Super Fat Burning or LiDa Daidaihua Slimming Capsules should stop taking the product immediately and should contact their health care professional for advice.

To date, no adverse reactions from the use of Super Fat Burning and LiDa Daidaihua Slimming Capsules have been reported in Canada. To report a suspected adverse reaction, please contact the Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program (CADRMP) of Health Canada toll free at:

Telephone: 1 866-234-2345
Facsimile: 1 866-678-6789

CADRMP
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Health Protection Building, Tunney’s Pasture, AL 0701C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9

Email: cadrmp@hc-sc.gc.ca

To report finding these products on the Canadian market, please contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at: 1 800-267-9675.

Consumers requiring more information about this advisory can contact the Health Canada public inquiries line at (613) 957-2991, or toll free at 1 866-225-0709.

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Media Enquiries:
Nathalie Lalonde
Health Canada
(613) 957-1803

Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709