Safety Alerts
HSA updates on products found overseas that contain potent ingredients (April 2020)
Audiences
Consumer
Healthcare professional
Industry member
Product type
Chinese Proprietary Medicines
Cosmetic products
Health supplements
Traditional medicines
1 April 2020
This article has been migrated from an earlier version of the site and may display formatting inconsistencies.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) would like to update the public on products that have been found and reported by overseas regulators in April 2020 to contain potent ingredients which are not allowed in these products and may cause side effects. This information is provided to increase awareness on safety issues of such products found overseas, which may impact the local population. Please refer to Annex A and Annex B for the list of products and the possible side effects of the potent ingredients. Please refer to the pdf document for images of the products.
HSA’s Advisory
2 Members of the public are advised to:
Consult a doctor if you have consumed any of the products and are feeling unwell.
Avoid buying any of the products when abroad.
Exercise caution when purchasing health products online or from sources (either local or overseas) which you may not be familiar with, even if well-meaning friends or relatives have recommended them. You cannot be certain where and how these products were made. They may be illegal, counterfeit or substandard, and may contain potent ingredients which can harm your health. If buying health products online, we encourage you to buy them from websites with an established retail presence in Singapore.
Be wary of products that promise quick and miraculous results or carry exaggerated claims like “100% safe”, “no side effects” or “scientifically proven”. Consumers should also be cautious of products that produce unexpected quick recovery of medical conditions.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you need help for the management of your acute and chronic medical symptoms and conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, eczema).
3 Additionally, members of the public are encouraged to visit https://www.hsa.gov.sg/consumer-safety/ to learn more about the dangers of buying health products from dubious sources.
4 Members of the public who come across the sale and supply of these products in Singapore may contact HSA's Enforcement Branch at Tel: 6866 3485 during office hours (Monday to Friday) or email: hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg.
Annex A
List of Products
Note: There may be different versions or variants of the products listed below. You are advised to consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure of any health product you intend to use, or if you need help for your acute and chronic medical symptoms and conditions
Table caption
Name of product | Potent ingredient(s) | Source (Regulatory Agency) |
|---|---|---|
Black Mamba Premium 18000 | Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) | United States Food and Drug Administration |
CATTLE CAPSULE (牛寶膠囊) | Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) | Taiwan Food and Drug Administration |
Dark Horse Capsules | Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) | Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration |
Effects of Viagra (特效伟哥) | Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) | Taiwan Food and Drug Administration |
Force G Men's Power tablets | Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors) | Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration |
JAPAN TENGSU (日本騰素) | Ciprofloxacin and Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) | Taiwan Food and Drug Administration |
JJ Skincare Glowhite Night Cream | Hydroquinone | Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency |
Mahad Exiter Whitening Cream | Clobetasol propionate | Thailand Food and Drug Administration |
Mojo Black capsules | Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) | Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration |
S Girl (獨家減脂膠囊) | Sibutramine | Taiwan Food and Drug Administration |
Sifu Kunyit Day Cream | Hydroquinone, Tretinoin and Betamethasone 17-Valerate | Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency |
Sifu Kunyit Night Cream | Betamethasone 17-Valerate | Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency |
Seven Day Slim Capsules | Diclofenac and Lidocaine | Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration |
shengjingpian (生精片) | Ciprofloxacin and Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) | Taiwan Food and Drug Administration |
U.S.A. BLACK GOLD (美國黑金) | Ciprofloxacin and Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) | Taiwan Food and Drug Administration |
Vigour 800 tablets | Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) | Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration |
VM Double white lotion | Clobetasol propionate | Thailand Food and Drug Administration |
White Way Nano White Body Lotion | Clobetasol propionate | Thailand Food and Drug Administration |
伟力 | Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) | Taiwan Food and Drug Administration |
德国黑金刚 | Ciprofloxacin and Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) | Taiwan Food and Drug Administration |
精刚壮增大丸 | Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) | Taiwan Food and Drug Administration |
不明藥錠 | Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) | Taiwan Food and Drug Administration |
Annex B
The possible side effects of the potent ingredients
Betamethasone 17-valerate
Betamethasone is a potent steroid. Long term use of an oral steroid without medical supervision can cause high blood pressure, cataracts, an increased risk of infections, and Cushing’s syndrome (characterised by the appearance of round face or ‘moon face’ and upper body obesity with thin limbs).
Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic used to treat a number of bacterial infections. It is a prescription medicine and should be used under medical supervision. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and rash. Severe side effects include an increased risk of tendon rupture, hallucinations and nerve damage.
Clobetasol propionate
Clobetasol propionate is a potent steroid that is usually prescribed for inflammatory conditions and should only be used under strict medical supervision. Common side effects include skin irritation, pimples, redness and dry skin. Long term use without medical supervision can cause an increased risk of infections, allergic reactions and Cushing’s syndrome (characterised by the appearance of round face or ‘moon face’ and upper body obesity with thin limbs).
Diclofenac
Diclofenac is a potent painkiller and may potentially cause cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes, as well as serious gastric bleeding, when used for a prolonged period. It should be used under close medical supervision, especially in patients with underlying heart conditions, stomach bleeding and ulceration.
Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a potent ingredient used in prescription medicines for the treatment of skin conditions. The ingredient is prohibited in skincare cosmetic products and should only be used under medical supervision, as hydroquinone may cause harmful effects if not used properly. The inappropriate use of hydroquinone could result in changes in skin colour and hypersensitivity reactions such as rashes, redness, tingling and burning of skin.
Lidocaine
Lidocaine is a medicine used to decrease or eliminate the feeling of pain. The inappropriate use of products with high concentrations of lidocaine can cause low blood pressure and dizziness.
Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors
This class of medicine includes sildenafil and tadalafil. These medicines can cause serious side effects such as strokes, heart attacks, decreased or loss of vision and hearing and priapism (painful and exceedingly long erections). If priapism is not treated immediately, it may lead to permanent impotence. PDE-5 inhibitors are also not suitable for patients with medical conditions such as certain heart-related problems or who are on heart medications such as nitrates. Deaths of patients found to be using sildenafil while on nitrates have been reported overseas.
Sibutramine
Sibutramine, previously a prescription weight loss medicine used in the treatment of obesity, has been disallowed for sale in Singapore since 2010 due to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. The use of sibutramine has been associated with serious side effects, including high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, hallucinations and mood swings. Desmethyl sibutramine is a substance similar to sibutramine which may have similar side effects.
Tretinoin
Tretinoin is a potent ingredient used in prescription medicines for the treatment of skin conditions and should be used under medical supervision. The ingredient is prohibited in skincare cosmetic products. Inappropriate use of tretinoin could lead to side effects such as redness and peeling of skin.
Download PDF document: Foreign Alert_2020_April [PDF, 919 KB]