HSA updates on products found overseas that contain potent ingredients (April 2021)

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) would like to update the public on products that have been found and reported by overseas regulators in April 2021 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

Name of product	Potent ingredient(s)	Source (Regulatory Agency)
Away Tablet	Paracetamol	Indonesia Food and Drug Authority
Beautywise Rejuvenating Cream	Hydroquinone and Tretinoin	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
Beautywise Rejuvenating Toner	Hydroquinone and Tretinoin	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
BURRO en PRIMAVERA 60000	Sildenafil and/or Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Crypt Tonight	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Enerup Premium	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
ErectMax	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
FS Turmeric Cream	Betamethasone	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
Ginseng Power 5000	Sildenafil and/or Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Heavy Duty Bolt	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
IMPERIAL Gold 2000	Sildenafil and/or Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
IMPERIAL Platinum 2000	Sildenafil and/or Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Kangaroo	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Kangaroo 2019	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Kangaroo 2020	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Krazy Night	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
MYO-CARD	Cardarine GW 501516 (SARM)	Health Canada
MYO-HGH	Ibutamoren MK-677 (SARM)	Health Canada
MYO-LGD	Ligandrol LGD-4033 (SARM)	Health Canada
MYO-STA	Ostarine MK-2866 (SARM)	Health Canada
MYO-TKO Total Knockout	Ostarine MK-2866 (SARM)	Health Canada
Poseidon-Platinum 8	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Poseidon Platinum 10000	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Premium OrgaZen 7000	Sildenafil and/or Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
PremierZEN Extreme 3000	Sildenafil and/or Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
PremierZen Platinum 5000	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
PremierZEN Plus 5000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Red Mamba	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Rush / Rush Original	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Sexy Lady	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Shiva Gold	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Shogun-X 7000	Sildenafil, Tadalafil and/or Vardenafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Shogun-X 15000mg	Sildenafil, Tadalafil and/or Vardenafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Super Mamba-Triple Maximum	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Thumbs Up 7 (Black) 25K	Sildenafil, Tadalafil and/or Vardenafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Thumbs Up 7 (White) 11K	Sildenafil, Tadalafil and/or Vardenafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Thumbs up 7 Red 70K	Sildenafil, Tadalafil and/or Vardenafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Titanium T12K	Dapoxetine and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Titanium 4000	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Triple Supreme Zen Gold 3500	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Triple SupremeZEN Plus 3500	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Tummy Tuck Max	Sibutramine and Phenolphthalein	United States Food and Drug Administration
Vital Sex	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
X Panther 9X	Yohimbe	Health Canada
69MODE Blue 69	Sildenafil, Tadalafil and/or Vardenafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
777	Yohimbe	Health Canada

 

Annex B

The possible side effects of the potent ingredients

 

Betamethasone

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 (characterized by the appearance of round face or ‘moon face’ and upper body obesity with thin limbs).

 

Dapoxetine

Dapoxetine is a prescription medicine used to treat conditions including depression and eating disorders, and it should be used under medical supervision. The use of dapoxetine has been associated with side effects including headaches, insomnia, palpitations and dizziness.

 

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.

 

Isobutyl nitrite

Isobutyl nitrite is an alkyl nitrite which is often inhaled or ingested by consumers for recreational purposes, despite being labelled for various uses such as leather cleaners, room odourizers or liquid incense. Overdosage or serious medical complications, sometimes resulting in death, can occur when it is used without medical supervision.

 

Paracetamol

Paracetamol is used for relieving pain, headache and fever. Products which contain paracetamol but do not have this declared on the label pose a danger to consumers as accidental overdose can result in liver damage.

 

Phenolphthalein

Phenolphthalein may cause kidney disorders and has been found in animal studies to be associated with cancer. It may also cause breathing difficulties, rashes and abdominal cramps.

 

Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors

This class of medicine includes sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil. 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 (PDE-5 inhibitor) while on nitrates have been reported overseas.

 

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARM)

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARM) are chemicals that mimic the effects of the male hormone, testosterone. Some of these chemicals are still undergoing research and no SARM has been approved for clinical use in humans. Using such chemicals can be dangerous as not all their side effects are known. The possible side effects may be similar to testosterone, such as insomnia, irritability, aggressive behaviour, hypertension, and impotence. Examples include Cardarine (GW 501516), Ibutamoren (MK-677), Ligandrol (LDG-4033) and Ostarine (MK 2866).

 

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.

 

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.

 

Yohimbe

Yohimbine is a potent medicinal ingredient derived from yohimbe, a bark extract. Side effects associated with yohimbe or yohimbine include insomnia, anxiety, palpitations (sensation of heart pounding, racing or skipped beats), sweating and blurred vision. Overdosage can cause low blood pressure, rapid heartbeats, seizures, paralysis and coma. Deaths from overdose have also been reported.

 

Download pdf document: HSA Foreign Alert_2021_April1060 KB

Published: 2 Nov 2021

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