HSA updates on products found overseas that contain potent ingredients (August 2022)

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) would like to update the public on products that have been found and reported by overseas regulators in August 2022 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)
ACH Cortizone EX Ultra Moisturizing Natural Herbs Anti-Itch Cream	Betamethasone	Hong Kong Department of Health
ACH Cortizone EX Ultra Moisturizing Natural Herbs Anti-Itch Cream Natural plant	Betamethasone	Hong Kong Department of Health
Alien 2 Power Platinum 11000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Alien Power Platinum 11000 Sexual enhancement	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Black Panther #1	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Comfor Beauty / Matte Lip Stick	Rhodamine B	Myanmar Food and Drug Administration
Ginseng Red 2000	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Jaguar 30000	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Launch Sequence Capsules	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Launch Sequence Euphoria Capsules	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Launch Sequence Aphrodisia Capsules	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Lucky Lady	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Lumi Lash	Bimatoprost	Health Canada
Master Zone 1500	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
O White / Extra Whitening Cream	Mercury	Myanmar Food and Drug Administration
Pillkings Plus 99K (liquid format)	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Pillqueen Plus 99K (liquid format)	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Platinum Rhino Love 20000 (red)	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Platinum Rhino Love 20000 (black)	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Plus Imperial Love 22000	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Premier Love Platinum 22000	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Premium Pro Power 3500	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Rhino 7 Platinum 5000	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) and Yohimbe	Health Canada
Rush Hour 72	Desmethyl- carbodenafil, Dithiodesmethyl- carbodenafil, Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
SANGTER Energy Supplement Capsules	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Sky / Whitening Moisturizing Skin Care Cream (Pearl Collagen Pure Natural Cream)	Mercury	Myanmar Food and Drug Administration
Spanish Fly 20,000 (green capsule)	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Spanish Fly 22,000 (purple capsule)	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Stiff Rox	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Super Panther 7K	Yohimbe	Health Canada
SUSTANGO (Pendenadril Tytrate Blend) Capsules, 400mg	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Trojan-X 300K	Yohimbe	Health Canada
XXL Ant 3000	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Sangter Energy Supplement	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
3800 Hard Rock	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
7K	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 (characterised by the appearance of round face or ‘moon face’ and upper body obesity with thin limbs).

 

Bimatoprost

Bimatoprost is a medicine used to lower the intraocular pressure of the eye in glaucoma. It should be used under medical supervision as it can cause side effects such as blurred vision, eye irritation, darkened eyelid skin, iris colour change, eye inflammation and macular oedema and hyperemia.

 

Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors

This class of medicine includes Desmethylcarbodenafil, Dithiodesmethylcarbodenafil, 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.

 

Rhodamine B

Rhodamine B is a dye used for printing and dyeing of textiles, paper, paints and leathers. It is prohibited to be used in health products, including cosmetic products, as it may be carcinogenic. It can cause side effects, such as irritation, when in contact with the skin and eyes. Cases of permanent injury to the eye and chemical conjunctivitis due to exposure to the dye have been documented. When ingested, it may cause gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

 

Mercury

Mercury is a toxic substance and is prohibited for use as an ingredient in cosmetic products. Regular application of creams containing mercury could lead to rash, skin discolouration and blotching. Chronic exposure to very high levels of mercury in cosmetic products may also cause toxic effects to the kidneys, digestive and nervous system, as it can be absorbed through the skin. This could lead to organ damage.

 

Yohimbe

Yohimbe is a bark extract from which a potent medicinal ingredient, Yohimbine, is derived. 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: HSA Foreign Alert_2022_Aug1215 KB

Published: 8 Sep 2022

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