HSA updates on products found overseas that contain potent ingredients (March 2020)
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) would like to update the public on products that have been found and reported by overseas regulators in March 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)
|
Active Male, 500mg capsules
|
Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)
|
United States Food and Drug Administration
|
All Nite Long
|
Mucuna pruriens seed extract (10% L-dopa)
|
Health Canada
|
ANYLADY Orange Juice Gorgeous Colors! Eyeshadow Make up – 02
|
Lead
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
ANYLADY Soda Pop Gorgeous Colors! Eyeshadow Make Up – 03
|
Lead
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
Black Panther #1
|
Yohimbe
|
Health Canada
|
C-Kiss Sunscreen Cream
|
Mercury
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
CAINIYA 7-Days Anti-Fleck Papaya Paw Paw Whitening Despeckle AB Set
|
Mercury
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
CAIYILIN Whitening Spot Removing Scheme Suit Bird’s Nest (Herb Whitening Day Cream + Herb Whitening Night Cream)
|
Mercury
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
CANDY B+ COMPLEX
|
Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)
|
Taiwan Food and Drug Administration
|
Cattle Capsule
|
Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)
|
Taiwan Food and Drug Administration
|
Clean & Clear Sun Cover Vitamin E Aloe Cream
|
Mercury
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
Dr.White Magic White Night Cream
|
Mercury
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
Erase Whitening Lotion SPF 50
|
Tretinoin
|
Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
|
GARNIBO Skin Natruals Whitening Dispel Spot
7 Days Withing Dispel Sports Cream
|
Mercury
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
GERO Skin Naturals Whitening Dispel Spot 7 Days Withing Dispel Sports Cream
|
Mercury
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
Grow XL Capsule
|
Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)
|
Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
|
HASAYA GIRL Blush Aloe Vera 99%
|
Lead
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
Hickel Mass & Strength Sachet Candy
|
Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)
|
Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
|
HLR Smooth Eyeshadow Palette 12 Colors
|
Lead
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
Horny Goat Weed
|
Mucuna pruriens seed extract (12% L-dopa)
|
Health Canada
|
Japan Tengsu
|
Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)
|
Taiwan Food and Drug Administration
|
JIAOLI Whitening Spot Removing Scheme Suit Bird’s Nest Herb Whtiening Night Cream
|
Mercury
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
KISS BEAUTY Blush Fruit Series 3#
|
Lead
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
LANXI 7 Day Whitening Ginseng Whitening Beauty Melatonin Cream
|
Mercury
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
Li Da Daidaihua Weight Loss Capsule
|
Acetaminophen and Sibutramine
|
Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
|
MAX GIRL New Palette Artistic Eyeshadow
|
Lead
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
Maximum Power Bang All Night Long
|
Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)
|
Health Canada
|
Maxman Cialis tablets
|
Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)
|
Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration
|
MISS MAY Freckle & Spot Removing Magic Cream White
|
Mercury
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
Mui Lee Hiang Cream For Acne & Blemishes And SG Skin Fresh Lotion
|
Mercury
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
MYO-CARD
|
Cardarine
GW-501516 (SARMs)
|
Health Canada
|
MYO-STA
|
Ostarine
MK-2866 (SARMs)
|
Health Canada
|
MYO-HGH
|
MK-677 (SARMs)
|
Health Canada
|
MYO-LGD
|
Ligandrol
LGD-4033 (SARMs)
|
Health Canada
|
MYO-RAD
|
RAD 140 testolone (SARMs)
|
Health Canada
|
MYO-S4
|
Andarine (SARMs)
|
Health Canada
|
MYO-TKO MYO-TKO Total Knock-Out
|
Ostarine
MK-2866 (SARMs)
|
Health Canada
|
MYO-YK
|
YK-11 myostine (SARMs)
|
Health Canada
|
Never Rest
|
Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)
|
Health Canada
|
PAIRRIE GOLD Full Skin Cream (10g)
|
Mercury
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
QL (QIAN-LI)
|
Mercury
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
Rhino 7 Platinum 5000
|
Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) and Yohimbe
|
Health Canada
|
Rhino Super Long Lasting 200k
|
Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)
|
Health Canada
|
shengjingpian
|
Ciprofloxacin and Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)
|
Taiwan Food and Drug Administration
|
Skin Magical Kadenang Ginto Rejuvenating Facial Toner No.1
|
Tretinoin and Hydroquinone
|
Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
|
Skin Magical Kadenang Ginto Rejuvenating Cream No.1
|
Hydroquinone
|
Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
|
SKY Pearl & Curcumin Cream Day & Night
|
Mercury
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
Snow White Armpit Whitening Underam Cream
|
Mercury
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
SSII Day Cream
|
Mercury
|
Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
|
SSII Herbal Cream
|
Mercury
|
Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
|
SSII Treatment Cream
|
Tretinoin
|
Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
|
Stiff Rox
|
Sildenafil and Tadalafil
(PDE-5 inhibitors)
|
Health Canada
|
Swiss Candy
|
Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)
|
Brunei Darussalam, Ministry of Health
|
Unknown capsule
|
Sibutramine
|
Taiwan Food and Drug Administration
|
VOLIKO Lipstick; 02, 04, 08
|
Lead
|
Myanmar Department of Food and Drug Administration
|
精刚壮增大丸
|
Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)
|
Taiwan Food and Drug Administration
|
Annex B
The possible side effects of the potent ingredients
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is used for relieving pain, headache and fever. Products which contain acetaminophen or paracetamol, but do not have this declared on the label, pose a danger to consumers as accidental overdose can result in liver damage.
Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic used to treat a number of bacterial infections. It is a prescription medicine and should be used under medical supervision. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and rash. Severe side effects include an increased risk of tendon rupture, hallucinations and nerve damage.
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.
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.
Levodopa (L-Dopa) – present in Mucuna pruriens seed extract
Levodopa is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease and should be used under medical supervision. Levodopa may potentially interact with medicines used to treat high blood pressure. Side effects of levodopa may include low blood pressure, irregular heart rate and breathing abnormalities.
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.
Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors
This class of medicine includes 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.
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 have 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 cardarine (GW-501516), ligandrol (LGD-4033), myostine (YK-11), ostarine (MK 2866), testolone, MK 677 and 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.
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.
Yohimbe
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_March1442 KB
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