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

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) would like to update the public on products that have been found and reported by overseas regulators in March 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)
Alien Power Platinum 11000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Alien 2 Power Platinum 11000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Avaphinal	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United Food and Drug Administration (US FDA)
Black Mamba Premium Triple Maximum	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Black Panther #1 Triple Maximum (3 Pack)	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Black Panther Platinum 30K (Single)	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Blue Diamond	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Blue Boy Original Poppers	Isobutyl Nitrite (Alkyl nitrites)	Health Canada
Heavy Duty Bolt	Isobutyl Nitrite (Alkyl nitrites)	Health Canada
Jaguar 30000	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Lucky Lady	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Libigrow XXXtreme 200k	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Master Zone 1500 (Blue)	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Master Zone 1500 (Gold)	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Never Rest	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Poseidon Platinum	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Poseidon Platinum 3500	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
ResERECTION!	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Rhino 7 Platinum 5000 (Blue)	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) and Yohimbe	Health Canada
Rhino 7 Platinum 5000 (Red)	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) and Yohimbe	Health Canada
Rhino 69 Extreme 35000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Rhino 69 Platinum 35000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
RISE UP RED EDITION Capsules 650 mg	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Rochefort	Isobutyl nitrite (Alkyl nitrites)	Health Canada
Samuraten	Dexamethasone and Paracetamol	Indonesian Food and Drug Authority
Shiva Gold	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Spanish Fly 20,000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Spanish Fly 22,000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Spanish Fly Sex Liquid	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Super Mamba Triple Maximum	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Super Rush Poppers	Alkyl nitrites	Health Canada
Super Rush Original Poppers	Isobutyl nitrite (Alkyl nitrites)	Health Canada
Titanium 4000 Sexual Enhancement	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Triple Green	Yohimbe	Health Canada
VIP Go Rhino Gold 69K (Gold)	Yohimbe	Health Canada
VIP Go Rhino Gold 69K (Silver)	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Vy & Tea	Phenolphthalein and Sibutramine	Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration
White Panther Extreme 50K	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Wonderful Honey	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
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 odourisers 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.

 

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.

 

Paracetamol

Paracetamol is used for relieving pain, headache and fever. Products which contain paracetamol but do not have this declared on the label pose a danger to consumers as accidental overdose can result in liver 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 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

Yohimbe is a bark extract from which a potent medicinal ingredient, Yohimbine, is derived. 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: HSA Foreign Alert_2022_March1559 KB

Published: 12 Apr 2022

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