HSA updates on products found overseas that contain potent ingredients (February 2020)

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

Name of product	Potent ingredient(s)	Source (Regulatory Agency)
Alien Power Platinum 1100	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Alpha-Male	Sildenafil and Tadalafil  (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Bling Bling Sister BBS Superman Capsules	Sibutramine and Orlistat	Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration
Bliss Anti-Stress Formula	Yohimbe	United States Food and Drug Administration
Bow and Arrow	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Kangaroo	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Lollipop	Sildenafil, Tadalafil  (PDE-5 inhibitors) and Yohimbe	Health Canada
Magnum XXL 25K	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Master Zone 1500	Sildenafil and Tadalafil  (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
OrgaZEN Gold 5800	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Performance Plus capsules	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Premium Pro Power 3500	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Premium X Pulse 2000	Yohimbe	Health Canada
ResERECTION (Blister)	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Rhino	Amino tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Rhino 7 Platinum 5000	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor), Yohimbine	Health Canada
RMFLEX	Diclofenac	United States Food and Drug Administration
Stiff Rox	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Super Panther 7K	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Thunder Bull	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Triple Green	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Up2	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Vigar X	Yohimbe	Health Canada
VIP GO Rhino Gold 69K	Yohimbe bark extract	Health Canada
Vy & Tea	Sibutramine and Phenolphthalein	Hong Kong Department of Health
White Panther	Yohimbe	Health Canada
XXL Ant 3000	Yohimbe	Health Canada
XXX Platinum WOODIE	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
2000 Ginseng Red	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
3800 Hard Rock	Yohimbe	Health Canada
7K	Yohimbe	Health Canada

 

 

Annex B

The possible side effects of the potent ingredients

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.

 

Orlistat

Orlistat is a medicine used in the management of obesity. This medicine should be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional. The inappropriate use of orlistat can cause headaches, abdominal pain, oily discharge from rectum, liquid stools, flatulence and fatigue.

 

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 amino tadalafil, 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 (PDE-5 inhibitor) 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.

 

Yohimbe / Yohimbine

Yohimbine is a potent medicinal ingredient. Side effects associated with 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: Foreign Alert_2020_Feb663 KB

Published: 1 Feb 2020

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