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

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) would like to update the public on products that have been found and reported by overseas regulators in June 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)
Alpiflor Tea	Sibutramine	Swissmedic
Beauty Lady Whitening Night Cream	Mercury	Myanmar Food and Drug Administration
Bihan Girly Makeup BSkin care 3x Brightening Effect –Treatment Cream	Mercury	Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
Black Ant	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Swissmedic
Cherry detox Tea	Fluoxetine and Phenolphthalein	Swissmedic
Deeja Cosmetic Set 5 in 1 – Laika Cream	Mercury	Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
Deeja Set 5 dalam 1 Kehebatan Luar Biasa Suf Cream	Mercury	Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
Do Do Girl Fashion Brow BP010	Rhodamine B	Myanmar Food and Drug Administration
Epimedyumlu Macum (Paste)	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Swissmedic
Esillaa Elma-Apple	Lidocaine and Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Swissmedic
Esillaa Live Beautiful	Sibutramine	Swissmedic
Evo-7 Japan Sachet	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
Festal chocolate bar	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Swissmedic
Glow Skin White – Brightening Cream	Mercury	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
Glow Skin White - Sun Care	Mercury	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
Goree Whitening Cream With Lycopene Avocado & Aloe vera	Mercury	Myanmar Food and Drug Administration
Happy Night Energy Chocolate	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Swissmedic
HAVYCO-Vy &Tea	Sibutramine	Swissmedic
Herbal Blue	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration
Herbal Plus New Day & Night Day	Mercury	Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
Hilti Gold (capsules)	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Swissmedic
Hilti Gold (paste)	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Swissmedic
HOWEYA Lovely Lipstick Studio Mini - 05	Rhodamine B	Myanmar Food and Drug Administration
HUXIA BEAUTY Liquid Matte Lip Gloss & Lip Stick	Rhodamine B	Myanmar Food and Drug Administration
KI BEAUTY Colorstay Overtime Lipcolor (Brown)	Rhodamine B	Myanmar Food and Drug Administration
Leisure Slimming Capsule	Sibutramine	Hong Kong Department of Health
Li Da	Fluoxetine	Swissmedic
Liquid XXX Plus	Hydroxythiohomo-sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Swissmedic
Maxman	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Swissmedic
Miss Taja 12 Colors Lipstick - 12	Rhodamine B	Myanmar Food and Drug Administration
NANO Kojic Super White Kojic Gluta Papaya Arbutin	Mercury	Myanmar Food and Drug Administration
NewQueen	Sibutramine	Swissmedic
Rzac Beauty Crème 2	Mercury	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
Seaul Girl 7 Days Acne Clear Gel	Mercury	Myanmar Food and Drug Administration
Shantahl Rejuvenating Set – Night Cream	Tretinoin	Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
Shantahl Rejuvenating Set – Rejuvenating Toner	Hydroquinone and Tretinoin	Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
Teff Tohumlu Cay Mixed Herbal Tea	Sibutramine, Phenolphthalein, Sennoside	Swissmedic

 

Annex B

The possible side effects of the potent ingredients:

Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine is a prescription medicine used to treat conditions including depression and eating disorders, and it should be used under medical supervision. The use of fluoxetine 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.

 

Lidocaine

Lidocaine is a medicine used to decrease or eliminate the feeling of pain. The inappropriate use of products with high concentrations of lidocaine can cause low blood pressure and dizziness.

 

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.

 

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 hydroxythiohomosildenafil. 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.

 

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 diarrhea.

 

Sennosides

Sennosides are laxatives which can cause diarrhea, stomach discomfort and abdominal cramps. Long-term consumption may be unsafe and cause serious side effects like electrolyte imbalance from decreased potassium levels in the body.

 

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.

 

Download pdf document: Foreign Alert_2020_June876 KB

Published: 1 Jun 2020

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