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

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) would like to update the public on products that have been found and reported by overseas regulators in February 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)
Adam’s Secret Extra Strength 1500	Sildenafil and/or Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Adam’s Secret Extra Strength 3000	Sildenafil and/or Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Alpha Male Plus	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Amsterdam	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Amsterdam Platinum	Alkyl nitrites	Health Canada
Blue Boy	Alkyl nitrites	Health Canada
Burro Power 300K	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Gold Rush	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Handreiniger Citrus Duft (bzw. Citrus Power) Handwash	Lead	EU RAPEX (Germany)
Heavy Duty Bolt	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Henna Vals Indian Henna For Hair	Boron	EU RAPEX (Germany)
Iron Horse	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Jungle Juice	Alkyl nitrites	Health Canada
Jungle Juice Platinum Black	Alkyl nitrites	Health Canada
Kangaroo Ultra 3000	Flibanserin	Health Canada
Libi Prince	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Locker Room Original	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Magnum XXL 50K	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Magnum XXL HIS&HER 250K	Sildenafil, Tadalafil  (PDE-5 inhibitors) and Yohimbine	Health Canada
Passion Classic	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Pink Pussycat	Hydroxythiohomosildenafil	Health Canada
Poseidon Platinum	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Poseidon Platinum 3500	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Power MAX Revolution	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Power Panther	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Racing Bull 150K	Sildenafil and Tadalafil  (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
ResErection	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Resurrection Male Sexual Enhancement Capsules	Sildenafil, Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors) and Dipyrone	Australia Therapeutic  Goods Administration
Rhino 7 Platinum 25K	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Rhino 11 Platinum 200K	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Rhino 12 Platinum 150K	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Rhino 15VL Fruit	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Rhino 15VL Mint	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Rhino 69 Extreme 35000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Rhino Magnum XXL 100K	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Rising Phoenix	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Rodeo Fantasy	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Rush	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Shark 5K	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Shiva Gold	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Sislin 10 Krasne Capsules	Sibutramine	Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
Spanish Fly 150,000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Stiff Rox	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Super Black Panther	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Super Mamba	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Super Rush Original – Black Label Poppers	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Super Rush Red	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Titanium 4000	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Titanium 12K	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) and Dapoxetine	Health Canada
TNT Premium	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Ultra Hurricane X 2000	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) and Yohimbine	Health Canada
Urinary Pain Relief Tablets	Dexamethasone, Betamethasone (Corticosteroids) & Chlorpheniramine	Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
White Mamba	Yohimbe	Health Canada
X Panther 9X	Yohimbe	Health Canada
777K	Yohimbe	Health Canada

 

Annex B

The possible side effects of the potent ingredients

 

Alkyl nitrites

"Poppers" is a slang term for products that contain alkyl nitrites. Despite being labelled for various uses such as leather cleaners, room odourizers or liquid incense, these products are inhaled or ingested by consumers for recreational purposes. Alkyl nitrites, such as amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite and isobutyl nitrite, are prescription medicines and should be used only under medical supervision. Products containing alkyl nitrites may pose serious risks, including death, depending on the amount used, how frequently they are used and how long they are used for, as well as the person's health and the other medications they may be taking. Since it is difficult to control how much is inhaled, people can accidentally overdose. Swallowing these products can lead to serious medical complications and may be fatal.

 

Boron

Boron is a non-metallic and naturally-occurring element. When ingested or come in contact with excessive quantity of boron can lead to side effects such as nausea, vomiting, skin redness, difficulty in swallowing due to ulcers in throat and diarrhoea.

 

Chlorpheniramine

Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine used to relieve allergic reactions such as hives and rhinitis. It should be used under medical supervision by a pharmacist or doctor. Side effects from the use of chlorpheniramine include drowsiness, blurred vision, vomiting, constipation and poor coordination.

 

Corticosteroids

Betamethasone and dexamethasone are potent steroids that are usually prescribed for inflammatory conditions and should only be used under strict medical supervision. Long-term unsupervised use of steroids (including topical use where the steroid can be absorbed into the body) can cause increased blood glucose levels (which may lead to diabetes), high blood pressure, cataracts, muscular and bone disorders, an increased risk of infections and Cushing’s syndrome (a round face or ‘moon face’ appearance and upper body obesity with thin limbs). 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.

 

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.

 

Dipyrone

Dipyrone is an analgesic which has anti-inflammatory effects. Its use, however, has been prohibited due to its potential to cause serious side effects such as blood-related toxicities, anaphylaxis and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

 

Flibanserin

Flibanserin was originally developed as an antidepressant. Side effects include dizziness, nausea, sense of tiredness, sleepiness and difficulty in falling asleep.

 

Lead

Lead is a toxic substance and poisoning can occur when it builds up in the body, often over months or years. It can cause long-term harm including kidney damage and increased risk of high blood pressure.

 

Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors

This class of medicine includes hydroxythiohomosildenafil, 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.

 

Yohimbe or Yohimbine

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_February1922 KB

Published: 2 Nov 2021

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