Foreign Product Alerts 2007
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Health Canada is advising consumers not to use the following products listed in the table below due to concerns about possible side-effects.
These products are not authorized for sale in Canada and have not been found in the Canadian marketplace. However, it is possible these products could be purchased by Canadians travelling abroad or have been brought into Canada through personal importation by travellers or purchased over the Internet.
Canadians who have these products are advised not to use them, and should consult with a health care professional if they have concerns about their health related to the use of these products. More info
November
October
| Day |
Product Name |
Product Description |
| 25 |
Xie Gan Wan |
Xie Gan Wan is a Proprietary Chinese Medicine with unknown indication for use. |
| 25 |
Red Yeast Rice, Red Yeast Rice/Policosonal Complex and Cholestrix |
Red Yeast Rice, Red Yeast Rice/Policosonal Complex and Cholestrix are promoted as dietary supplements for the treatment of high cholesterol. |
| 01 |
Zhen Feng Da Brand Xi Tong Wan (lot# 060908)
Wellring Brand Yin Qiao Jie Du (lot# 51005) |
Zhen Feng Da Brand Xi Tong Wan is promoted as a pain reliever. Lot #060908 has been found to contain undeclared indomethacin, a prescription anti-inflammatory drug that should only be taken under the guidance of a health professional.
Wellring Brand Yin Qiao Jie Du is a health product promoted to treat cold and flu symptoms. Lot#51005 has been found to contain undeclared acetaminophen. |
| 01 |
Gu Ci Dan and Xu Log Bou |
Gu Ci Dan and Xu Log Bou are promoted as pain relievers and have been found to contain undeclared indomethacin. Indomethacin is a prescription anti-inflammatory drug that should only be taken under the guidance of a health professional. |
September
| Day |
Product Name |
Product Description |
| 28 |
Khun-Phra |
Khun-Phra is a health product promoted for pain relief that has been found to contain the undeclared drugs dexamethasone, prednisolone, phenylbutazone, diazepam, cyproheptadine and mebhydrolin.
Dexamethasone, prednisolone, phenylbutazone and diazepam are prescription drugs that should only be taken under the guidance of a health care professional.
Mebhydrolin is an antihistamine that is not licensed in Canada. |
| 28 |
Asam Urat Flu Tulang, PJ Dewandaru |
Asam Urat Flu Tulang, PJ Dewandaru is a health product promoted to treat joint pain, rheumatism and arthritis. It has been found to contain the undeclared drugs dexamethasone, diclofenac and acetaminophen.
Dexamethasone, diclofenac and acetaminophen have the potential to cause serious side-effects. Dexamethasone and diclofenac are prescription drugs that should only be taken under the supervision of a health care professional. |
| 21 |
Top Gun for Men Herbal Extracts |
Top Gun for Men Herbal Extracts is promoted as a natural sexual enhancement/erectile dysfunction product and it has been found to contain a substance similar to tadalafil. Tadalafil is a prescription drug used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction that should only be taken under the guidance of a health professional. |
| 21 |
Oyster Plus |
Oyster Plus is marketed as a sexual enhancement product that has been found to contain tadalafil, a prescription medication used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil should only be taken under the guidance of a health professional. |
| 21 |
Deguozhanjiang |
Deguozhanjiang is promoted as a sexual enhancement product and has been found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil.
Sildenafil and tadalafil are prescription drugs used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, and should only be taken under the guidance of a health professional. |
| 21 |
Chongcaoliubian Jiaonang and Santi Scalper Penis Erection Capsule |
Chongcaoliubian Jiaonang and Santi Scalper Penis Erection Capsule are promoted as sexual enhancement products and have been found to contain with sildenafil.
Sildenafil is a prescription drug used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, and should only be taken under the guidance of a health professional. |
| 17 |
Jacaranda, Queenmer Fat Loss, Li Da Dai Dai Hua Jiao Nang, J-minus (also known as ZhongJi ShouShen and Ultimate Slimming) and Jelimel Slimming Capsules (also known as ShouShen JiuBing and Slimming Cavalry) |
These products are promoted for weight loss and have been found to be adulterated with the prescription drug sibutramine. Sibutramine is used for treating obesity and should only be taken under the supervision of a health care professional. |
| 17 |
Junyu Jiaonanyihao |
Junyu Jiaonanyihao has been found to contain the undeclared prescription drugs sibutramine and dexamethasone, as well as phenolphthalein, which is currently prohibited in Canada.
Sibutramine is a prescription drug used for treating obesity. Dexamethasone is a prescription drug used to treat inflammation. These drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care professional.
Phenolphthalein was previously used in over-the-counter laxative preparations but is currently prohibited in Canada, as it may cause cancer. |
| 13 |
Satis 60 Hours Ever Lasting Formula |
The Hong Kong Department of Health advised consumers not to use the product Satis 60 Hours Ever Lasting Formula because it was found to contain piperidenafil
Piperidenafil is an analogue of the drug vardenafil, used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Vardenafil is a prescription drug that should only be used under the supervision of a health care professional. |
| 13 |
Qiangli Zhuanggutongbiling (originally named Fufang Zhuangguguanjiewan) |
The Hong Kong Department of Health advised the public not to use the health product Qiangli Zhuanggutongbiling because it was found to contain the undeclared prescription drugs prednisolone acetate, cortisone acetate, piroxicam, and diclofenac.
Prescription drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care professional. |
| 13 |
Heng Tong Jiangtangning Jiaonang |
The Hong Kong Department of Health advised the public not to use the health product Heng Tong Jiangtangning Jiaonang because it was found to contain the prohibited drug phenformin, and the prescription drug glibenclamide (glyburide).
Prescription drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care professional. |
| 13 |
Endopile Capsules |
Singapore's Health Sciences Authority advised the public not to use the product Endopile Capsules (batch number 90_16) because it was found to contain potentially toxic levels of lead and mercury.
Consumption of excessive amounts of heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, pose serious health risks because they may accumulate in vital organs of the body. Children are most susceptible to the toxic effects of heavy metals. |
| 13 |
BuXie PaiDu XiaoDou Su |
The Hong Kong Department of Health advised the public not to use the health product BuXie PaiDu XiaoDou Su because it was found to contain the prescription drug rifampicin.
Prescription drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care professional. |
| 13 |
True Man and Energy Max |
The US FDA advised consumers not to use the sexual enhancement products Energy Max and True Man after finding them to contain an analogue of sildenafil or vardenafil.
Sildenafil and vardenafil are prescription medications used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, and should only be taken under the guidance of a health professional. |
August
| Day |
Product Name |
Product Description |
| 18 |
Excite for women and Ultimates for men |
Excite for women and Ultimates for men are marketed as sexual enhancement products. They are sold in capsule form. |
July
| Day |
Product Name |
Product Description |
| 16 |
Kui Hua Chut Lee San Bird's Nest & Pearl
Batch #WA00030 |
Kui Hua Chut Lee San Bird's Nest & Pearl is indicated for the treatment of indigestion and constipation in children.
Batch # WA00030 of the product exceeded the acceptable limit for all types of bacterial contamination in Natural Health Products in Canada.
This product is indicated for use in children. Young children are particularly susceptible to bacterial infections with the use of bacterial-contaminated products since their immune systems are not yet fully developed. |
| 16 |
|
Darling Capsules, Dali Capsules, Spanish Fly Capsules, and an unnamed product,were found to contain sildenafil. The product Dai Dai Hua Jiao Nang was found to contain sibutramine.
Sildenafil and sibutramine are prescription medications indicated for treatment of erectile dysfunction and obesity, respectively. They should only be used under the supervision of a health professional. |
| 16 |
|
Jie Jie Pills and Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan are proprietary Chinese medicines that have been found to contain aristolochic acid, a natural toxin known to cause kidney failure and cancer in humans. |
May
| Day |
Product Name |
Product Description |
| 30 |
Power 58 Extra, Platinum Power 58 Extra, Enhanix New Extra Men's Formula, Valentino, King Power Oral Solution, and Stretch Up Capsules |
The Hong Kong Department of Health has issued a press release advising the public not to use the health products Power 58 Extra, Platinum Power 58 Extra, Enhanix New Extra Men's Formula, Valentino, King Power Oral Solution, and Stretch Up Capsules because they contain sildenafil and vardenafil analogues.
Sildenafil and vardenafil are prescription medications indicated for treatment of erectile dysfunction. They should only be used under the supervision of a health care professional. |
| 30 |
HS Joy of Love |
The United States Food and Drug Administration has announced a voluntary recall by the manufacturer of HS Joy of Love capsules because the product was found to contain piperadino vardenafil.
Piperadino vardenafil is an analogue of the drug vardenafil, used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Vardenafil is a prescription drug that should only be used under the supervision of a health care professional.
The HS Joy of Love product is sold in a 12-capsule pack within a retail box. It is marketed as a dietary supplement. |
| 16 |
Xiaokeshuping Jiangtangning Jiaonang |
Xiaokeshuping Jiangtangning Jiaonang capsules contain the undeclared pharmaceutical drugs phenformin, rosiglitazone, and glibenclamide. These agents may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), particularly when combined with other blood glucose-lowering substances. Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include sweating, nausea, and trembling, which may lead to headaches and blurred vision. In severe cases, hypoglycemia may cause seizures and coma. |
| 03 |
Urat Madu |
Urat Madu capsules are marketed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The product is adulterated with sildenafil, a prescription drug that has been associated with serious side effects including sudden vision loss, penile tissue damage and urinary tract infection. The risk of side effects is especially high for those patients with existing medical conditions such as heart problems, who are taking heart medications, or who may be at risk for strokes. |
April
| Day |
Product Name |
Product Description |
| 24 |
FiberChoice plus Multivitamins |
The product FiberChoice plus Multivitamins is marketed as a fibre supplement. The product is contaminated with fish gelatin, a known allergen that could cause life-threatening reactions in some sensitive individuals. |
| 13 |
V.MAX, Rhino Max (Rhino V Max) |
The United States Food and Drug Administration found V.MAX and Rhino Max (Rhino V Max) to contain undeclared amounts of aminotadalafil, an analogue of tadalafil, used to treat erectile dysfunction. Aminotadalafil is not intended to be used in self-care, and should only be taken under the guidance of a health professional. |
| 13 |
Lexscl Fat Rapid Loss capsules |
Consumers who use Lexscl Rapid Fat Loss capsules may be at risk of serious side effects, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), and chest pain. |
| 13 |
Lanmei Keili Ji |
Canadians may be at risk of serious adverse health effects associated with the use of the product Lanmei Keili Ji, including serious hypoglycaemic reactions, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, shakiness and abnormal sensation, such as tingling, numbness, or burning. |
February
| Day |
Product Name |
Product Description |
| 01 |
Power 58
Platinum Power 58
Ehanix
Jolex
Onyo
Deguozonghengtianxia |
Power 58, Platinum Power 58, Ehanix, Jolex, Onyo and Deguozonghengtianxia are marketed as treatments for erectile dysfunction. The products contain acetildenafil, an analogue of sildenafil, which is used for the treatment of sexual dysfunction. |
January
| Day |
Product Name |
Product Description |
| 05 |
Kang Da |
Kang Da and four unlabelled products are marketed as herbal sexual enhancements and treatments for erectile dysfunction. The products are adulterated with sildenafil, a prescription medication used in the treatment of sexual dysfunction. |
| 05 |
Qing Zhi |
Qing Zhi and one unlabelled product are marketed as herbal weight-loss products. The products are adulterated with sibutramine, a prescription medication used to suppress appetite. |
More Foreign Product Alerts:
2007 2006
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 any of the products listed in the table in the Canadian marketplace.
For more information about the information contained in this advisory, please contact Health Canada's public enquiries 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 these products have been reported in Canada.
To report a suspected adverse reaction, please visit the MedEffect Adverse Reaction Reporting page.
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