Foreign Product Alert

2006-80
August 23, 2006
For immediate release

Health Canada is advising consumers not to use the following product listed in the table below due to concerns about possible side-effects. More info

Reduce Weight

Date of alert	August 23, 2006
Product Name	Reduce Weight
Manufacturer / Place of Origin	Unknown / China
Product Description	Reduce Weight is marketed as a weight loss product. This product comes in a red and white package.
Reason for Warning	On May 15, 2006 the New Zealand Ministry of Health issued a press release on Reduce Weight because the product is adulterated with sibutramine.
Possible Side Effects	The adulterant sibutramine (the generic name for Meridia) is a prescription medication which should only be used under medical supervision. Use of sibutramine may cause serious side-effects, including vision problems and increased heart rate and blood pressure. Sibutramine should not be taken with medications that can affect the level of serotonin in the brain, such as antidepressants.
Special Information	No adverse reactions have been reported to Health Canada.

-30-

Media Inquiries:
Christopher Williams
Health Canada
(613) 946-4250

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

This product is not authorized for sale in Canada and has not been found in the Canadian marketplace. However, it is possible this product could be purchased by Canadians travelling abroad or has been brought into Canada through personal importation by travellers or purchased over the Internet.

Canadians who have this product are advised not to use it, and should consult with a health care professional if they have concerns about their health related to the use of this product.

Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have either an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label. These numbers indicate that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality.

Health Canada advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they find the product listed in the table in the Canadian marketplace.

For more information about the information contained in this advisory, please contact Health Canada's public inquiries line at (613) 957-2991 or toll-free at 1-866-225-0709.

As of the date of this posting, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of this product have been reported in Canada.