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

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) would like to update the public on products that have been found and reported by overseas regulators in February 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)
Black Panther	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Hard Dawn Rise and Shine capsules	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
HD Muscle PreHD Preworkout	Yohimbine	Health Canada
HERBEREX	Nortadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Insane Labz Psychotic	Rauwolfia	Health Canada
Insane Labz Redrum	Rauwolfia	Health Canada
Iron Brothers Thermo Burn	Yohimbine	Health Canada
Libido Support Yohimbine HCl	Yohimbine	Health Canada
Japanese product for weight loss	Frusemide	Hong Kong Department of Health
Limited Gangster Series MYO-TKO	Yohimbine and Cardarine GW 501516 (SARM)	Health Canada
MAC DADDY PURPLE	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
MAC DADDY RED	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Maximum Power Bang All Night Long	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
MegMan Performance Booster Capsules	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Million Burning	Sibutramine	Hong Kong Department of Health
MYO- CARD	Cardarine GW-501516 (SARM)	Health Canada
MYO- HGH	MK-677 (SARM)	Health Canada
MYO- RAD	Testolone RAD-140 (SARM)	Health Canada
MYO- S4	Andarine  (SARM)	Health Canada
MYO- STA	Ostarine MK-2866 (SARM)	Health Canada
MYO- YK	Myostine YK-11 (SARM)	Health Canada
Nhan Sam Tuyet Lien Truy Phong Hoan	Chlorpheniramine, Dexamethasone and Furosemide	Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration
NutriFitt Serum	Yohimbine and Rauwolfia	Health Canada
Phenon	Rauwolscine	Health Canada
Red Mammoth	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Revive Yohimbine HCl	Yohimbine	Health Canada
Rhino 7 Platinum 5000	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) and Yohimbe	Health Canada
Rise Up Red Edition	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Stiff Rox	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 Inhibitors)	Health Canada
TCP HOT Acquisition LLC dba HRB Brands Aerosol deodorant and antiperspirant sprays	Benzene	United States Food and Drug Administration
The Red Pill	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Triple Green	Yohimbe	Health Canada
365 Skinny Emergency Boutique	Sibutramine	United States Food and Drug Administration
365 Skinny High Intensity Pills	Sibutramine	United States Food and Drug Administration

 

Annex B

The possible side effects of the potent ingredients

Benzene

Benzene is a carcinogen that is not allowed in the composition of cosmetic products. Inhalation of benzene can cause central nervous system (CNS) effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, headache, vertigo, tremor and coma. Long-term exposure to excessive levels of benzene in the air can cause leukaemia, in particular - acute myeloid leukaemia and acute nonlymphocytic leukaemia. Exposure to benzene may also lead progressively to aplastic anaemia and multiple myloma.

 

Chlorpheniramine

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

 

Dexamethasone

Dexamethasone is a potent steroid that is usually prescribed for inflammatory conditions and should only be used under strict medical supervision. 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). Discontinuation of steroids without proper medical supervision can cause serious withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, confusion and low blood pressure.

 

Frusemide / Furosemide

Frusemide is a prescription medicine used to eliminate water and salt from the body and should be used under medical supervision. The side effects associated with its use include loss of appetite and low blood pressure. When taken in excess, the ‘water-eliminating’ effect of frusemide can cause the depletion of sodium, chloride, body water and other minerals in the body.

 

Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors

This class of medicine includes nortadalafil, 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.

 

Rauwolfia / Rauwolscine

Rauwolscine (also known as alpha-yohimbine) is one of the many chemical compounds found in the Rauwolfia plant. The use of Rauwolfia has been associated with low blood pressure, dizziness, tiredness, drowsiness, irregular heartbeat and breathlessness. Its use can also cause depression or worsen depression.

 

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs)

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) are chemicals that mimic the effects of the male hormone, testosterone. Some of these chemicals are still undergoing research and no SARMs 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 andarine S4, cardarine (GW 501516), Ibutamoren (MK-677), myostine (YK-11), ostarine (MK 2866) and testolone (RAD-140).

 

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 / 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_2022_February398 KB

Published: 3 Mar 2022

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