Foreign Product Alert

2007-123
September 17, 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

Junyu Jiaonanyihao

Date of alert	September 17, 2007
Source of Alert	Hong Kong Department of Health
Product Name	Junyu Jiaonanyihao
Manufacturer / Place of Origin	Unknown Manufacturer / Unknown Origin
Products Description	Specific indications for the product are unknown.
Reason for Warning	The Hong Kong Department of Health found Junyu Jiaonanyihao 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 synthetic corticosteroid used in a variety of disorders associated with 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. Individuals who may have been exposed to phenolphthalein should consult with their health care practitioner.
Possible Side Effects	Use of sibutramine may cause headaches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, chest pain and stroke. Dexamethasone should not be used by individuals with an allergy to corticosteroids, with a systemic fungal infections, or if using a live virus vaccine, such as smallpox. Use of dexamethasone may be associated with certain side effects, such as increases in blood pressure, nervousness, sleep disturbances, infection, and vision changes. Abuse of phenolphthalein-containing laxatives has been associated with stomach and intestinal bleeding, anemia, acute pancreatitis, and multiple organ damage in cases of massive overdose, including liver failure.

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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.