HSA Alert: Four Products Detected with Potent Undeclared Ingredients; One Consumer Had a Life-Threatening Event and Severe Heart Failure

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is alerting members of the public not to purchase or consume four products which have caused serious adverse reactions in consumers. One consumer lost consciousness and required resuscitation, and now suffers from severe heart failure. The products were tested by HSA to contain undeclared potent medicinal ingredients, including a banned substance for weight loss and a potent steroid. The four products are:

Please refer to Annex A and Annex B of the pdf version for photos of the products and for more information on the medicinal ingredients found in these products.

Adverse reactions due to sibutramine in weight loss products

2    A woman in her 50s had purchased ‘BB Body’ from an online seller based in Malaysia after coming across an Instagram post of the product. After consuming it for about 3 months, she developed extremely fast heart rate (ventricular tachycardia), which led to a loss of consciousness, requiring resuscitation to save her life. As a result, she now suffers from severe heart failure, and is implanted with a defibrillator (device to regulate heart rhythm). She also requires long term heart failure medications.

3    A woman in her 20s first developed palpitations and insomnia, and subsequently had suicidal thoughts, after taking ‘Bello Smaze’ for four days. She had purchased the product directly from a local seller to lose weight. According to the consumer, her friend who recommended the product also experienced palpitations and insomnia. Separately, another woman in her 30s experienced palpitations after consuming the product ‘Choco Fit’ for 2 days.

4    The adverse reactions experienced by these consumers were consistent with the effects from sibutramine, which was found in the three products. Sibutramine was previously a prescription drug but was banned by HSA in 2010 due to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well as other serious adverse effects.

5    ‘BB Body’, ‘Bello Smaze’ and ‘Choco Fit’ were marketed on various e-commerce and social media platforms including Instagram and Facebook. They were marketed as having “no side effects” or being able to deliver fast weight loss within days. HSA has directed the administrators of the local online platforms to remove the affected product listings.

6    Associate Professor Chan Cheng Leng, Group Director of Health Products Regulation Group, HSA, advises consumers: “Do not fall for claims or promises of quick weight loss when purchasing health products, whether they are sold online or in retail shops. Based on HSA’s enforcement operations, many of the weight loss products sold on e-commerce platforms without an established retail presence were found to contain the banned substance, sibutramine. Sibutramine can cause serious adverse effects such as mood disturbances, hallucinations, heart attacks and strokes.”

Steroid in product led to Cushing's syndrome

7    ‘Seahorse Chop Du Zhong Ba Ji Wan’ was reported to cause Cushing’s syndrome in a man in his 40s. He had purchased the product from a medical hall in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and took it for more than 2 months to relieve his arthritis. His condition, characterised by ‘moon’ face, thin limbs, thinning of the skin and easy bruising was caused by dexamethasone, a potent steroid that was fraudulently added into the product. Tests by HSA also found that the product contained chlorpheniramine (an antihistamine for allergic reactions).

8    There was another sign that ‘Seahorse Chop Du Zhong Ba Ji Wan’ was an illegal product. The blister strips found in one box carried a different product name, labelled as ‘100% Natural Pure Herbal _* Acti Fast’. Tests conducted on the product showed that it contained an additional adulterant, frusemide (a potent medicine for removing excess water in the body). These findings are characteristic of illegal products which are manufactured without any quality control.

Advisory to consumers

9    Consumers are advised to:

• Stop taking ‘Bello Smaze’, ‘BB Body’ or ‘Choco Fit’ immediately and consult a doctor if you feel unwell or are concerned about your health.

• As ‘Seahorse Chop Du Zhong Ba Ji Wan’ contains a potent steroid, consumers who have taken this product should see a doctor as soon as possible. Discontinuation of steroids without proper medical supervision can cause serious withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, confusion and low blood pressure, especially when the product has been taken for more than a few weeks.

• Be wary of health products that promise or deliver quick and miraculous effects, or carry exaggerated claims.

• Avoid purchasing health products from unfamiliar sources overseas, and exercise caution when buying such products online. You cannot be certain where and how these products were made. They could potentially be counterfeits or contain undeclared ingredients which can seriously harm your health.

10    HSA has produced a short video on the risks associated with buying health products online. This video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/dmjl_bSqJgA.

Advisory to sellers and suppliers

11    All sellers and suppliers must stop selling these products immediately.

• These are illegal products which contain potent medicinal ingredients.

• Anyone who supplies illegal health products is liable to prosecution and if convicted, may be imprisoned for up to 3 years and/or fined up to $100,000.

12    Members of the public who have any information on the sale and supply of these illegal products may contact HSA's Enforcement Branch at Tel: 6866-3485 during office hours (Monday to Friday) or email: hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg.

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
3 JUNE 2019

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