Foreign Product Alert
2007-120
September 13, 2007
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
Heng Tong Jiangtangning Jiaonang
| Date of alert |
September 13, 2007 |
| Source of Alert |
Hong Kong Department of Health |
| Product Name |
Heng Tong Jiangtangning Jiaonang |
| Manufacturer / Place of Origin |
Unknown/China |
| Products Description |
N/A
|
| Reason for Warning |
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). Samples of the product were analyzed by the Hong Kong Department of Health following an investigation into an adverse reaction in Hong Kong with use of the product.
Prescription drugs should only be taken under the supervision of a health care professional. |
| Possible Side Effects |
Glibenclamide (glyburide) is authorized in Canada as a prescription medication for the management of blood sugar levels in certain diabetes patients. These patients should be closely supervised by a physician to avoid potential health complications.
Phenformin was removed from the market in Canada in 1977 because of the high incidence of lactic acidosis (accumulated lactic acid in the body) in patients with kidney problems, blood complications, and cardiac disease
The unsupervised use of the adulterated product Heng Tong Jiangtangning Jiaonang may cause life-threatening adverse events, such as hypoglycemia (extremely low blood sugar levels). Use of Heng Tong Jiangtangning Jiaonang may also cause complications with vision, kidneys, blood, liver, and/or the cardiovascular system. |
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Media Inquiries:
Alastair Sinclair
Health Canada
(613) 957-1803
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.
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