Foreign Product Alert

2006-84
August 31, 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

Chao Nongsu Qingzhi Jiaonang (OPC Care)

Date of alert	August 31, 2006
Source of Alert	Hong Kong Department of Health, Special Administration Region (China)
Product Name	Chao Nongsu Qingzhi Jiaonang (OPC Care)
Manufacturer / Place of Origin	Unknown
Product Description	Chao Nongsu Qingzhi Jiaonang (OPC Care) is promoted as a weight-loss product. The green-coloured capsules are packaged in plastic blister packs with "OPC Care" printed on the back of the packaging.
Reason for Warning	On July 19, 2006, the Hong Kong Department of Health, Special Administration Region (China) advised the public not to use this product because it is adulterated with sibutramine and mazindol, which are prescription medications used to suppress appetite. Sibutramine and mazindol should only be taken under the guidance of a health care professional.
Possible Side-Effects	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 serotonin levels, such as antidepressants. Use of mazindol may also cause serious side-effects, including dizziness, decreased alertness, increased blood pressure, and risk of dependency. Overdose or abuse of this drug may cause abdominal pain, difficulty in breathing, dizziness, sleeplessness or symptoms of severe mental illness (including hallucinations, panic, and depression).

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

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.