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Health Sciences Authority
Press Releases

Four ‘S Lion Juice’ Products Touted as Herbal Supplements Suitable for Entire Family Tested by HSA to Contain Erectile Dysfunction Drug and Other Potent Chemicals

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14 August 2015

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Four products, labelled as ‘S Lion Juice’ and marketed to contain natural ingredients for ‘better health and brain power’, were tested by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and found to contain undeclared potent chemical ingredients, including the prescription medicine tadalafil. HSA is warning members of the public not to consume these products as they may cause serious adverse effects, including loss of vision and hearing, strokes and heart attacks. They are sold through the Internet and have been touted to be ‘suitable for the entire family’. The four products are:  

Table caption

No.

Names of products

Undeclared potent chemicals found

1

S Lion Juice 10 gm

Thiodimethylsildenafil and Tadalafil

2

S Lion Juice 20 gm

Thiodimethylsildenafil

3

S Lion Juice Orange 10 gm

Propoxyphenyl thioaidenafil

4

S Lion Juice 1

Aminotadalafil and Thiodimethylsildenafil

Please refer to Annex A in the pdf version for pictures of the products.

2    ‘S Lion Juice 10 gm’, ‘S Lion Juice 20 gm’, ‘S Lion Juice Orange 10 gm’ and ‘S Lion Juice 1’ are marketed to contain natural ingredients for ‘better health and brain power’. These products carried claims such as ‘increase energy and stamina’, ‘improve sleep quality’, ‘improve brain functionality’, ‘strengthen bones, prevent osteoporosis’, and ‘help menopausal women regain their emotional health and strength’. However, all four ‘S Lion Juice’ products were tested to contain various undeclared chemicals, including thiodimethylsildenafil, tadalafil, propoxyphenyl thioaidenafil and aminotadalafil.

3    Thiodimethylsildenafil and propoxyphenyl thioaidenafil are chemically-related compounds of sildenafil; while aminotadalafil is related chemically to tadalafil. Sildenafil and tadalafil are potent prescription medicines. Both medicines are used to treat male erectile dysfunction and can potentially cause serious adverse effects such as decreased or loss of vision and hearing, low blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks and priapism (painful and exceedingly long erections) when used inappropriately. If priapism is not treated immediately, it may lead to permanent impotence. Tadalafil and sildenafil are also not suitable for women and certain men, including those under 18 years of age, and patients with heart-related problems or who are on heart medications such as nitrates. Deaths have been reported overseas in patients found to be using sildenafil while on nitrates. The adverse effects of the chemically-related compounds (thiodimethylsildenafil, propoxyphenyl thioaidenafil and aminotadalafil) have not been established, but they may be even more toxic than the original compounds.

Consumer advisory

4    Members of the public are advised to:

  • Stop taking these products immediately. Seek medical attention if you feel unwell. If you experience any adverse effects or are concerned about your health after using the affected products, please see a doctor as soon as possible.

  • Be wary when purchasing health products from dubious online sites as it cannot be ascertained where and how these products were manufactured. They may contain undeclared ingredients which can harm your health. When buying health products online, only buy them from websites with an established retail presence in Singapore.

  • Visitwww.healthdangers.sg (opens in new tab) to learn more about the dangers of illegal health products.

Sale and supply of products with undeclared potent ingredients

5    HSA is currently investigating the sellers of these illegal products and will take strong enforcement actions against individuals who engage in the sale and supply of health products containing undeclared medicinal ingredients. It is an offence for any person to sell any product with undeclared potent ingredients unless he is licensed to sell ‘Poisons’ and do so in accordance with the Poisons Act. Anyone found guilty of an offence under the Poisons Act is liable to a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.  HSA takes a serious view against those engaged in the sale and supply of poisons and will take strong enforcement action against such persons.

6    Members of the public who have any information on sale of such products may contact HSA's Enforcement Branch at Tel: 6866 3485 during office hours (Monday to Friday) or email: hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg. The public is also requested to report any other suspicious sales of illegal products to HSA at the same contact number/e-mail.
 

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
14 AUGUST 2015

Download PDF version here [PDF, 955 KB] (opens in new tab)