Advisory

2006-17
April 21, 2006
For immediate release

Health Canada advises consumers not to use unauthorized products containing anabolic steroids

OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising consumers not to use five products containing illegal anabolic steroids, as they can potentially cause serious health issues such as liver disorders and heart problems.

The five products are: Anabolic Xtreme Superdrol, Methyl-1-P, Ergomax LMG, Prostanozoland, and FiniGenX Magnum Liquid. They are not authorized for sale in Canada as either drugs or natural health products.

Canadians using any of these products or any other supplements containing anabolic steroids are advised to stop taking these products immediately and consult with a health care professional.

Anabolic steroids and their derivatives are controlled substances in Canada under Schedule IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. These products are available illegally over the Internet. Small amounts of Anabolic Xtreme Superdrol, being imported for personal use, were recently intercepted at the Canada-U.S. border.

There are serious health risks associated with the use of anabolic steroids including heart attacks, strokes, reduced fertility, hardening of the arteries, liver damage, masculinization of women, and enlargement or tenderness of male breasts or nipples. To date, no Canadian adverse reactions associated with the use of these products have been reported to Health Canada.

Health Canada is also warning consumers to be cautious regarding the purchase of health products over the Internet or from outside of Canada, as these products may not have been assessed to the same standards as products approved for sale on the Canadian market. Authorized drug products will bear either an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN), or a Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM). This authorization indicates that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality.

On February 6, 2006, Health Canada issued a warning for a similar product, M1T (methyl-1-testosterone) Andro Technologies. To date, Health Canada has received one serious adverse reaction report of liver toxicity involving M1T (methyl-1-testosterone) Andro Technologies as a suspected agent.

Canadians are advised to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they find Anabolic Xtreme Superdrol, Methyl-1-P, Ergomax LMG, Prostanozoland, FiniGenX Magnum Liquid, M1T (methyl-1-testosterone) Andro Technologies or any other products containing anabolic steroids on the Canadian market.

Consumers and health care professionals are encouraged to report any adverse reaction suspected as being associated with anabolic steroid use by contacting the Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program (CADRMP) of Health Canada by one of the following methods:

Toll-free telephone at 1-866-234-2345 or by toll-free fax at 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

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:
Christopher Williams
Health Canada
(613) 946-4250

Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991