HSA updates on products found overseas that contain potent ingredients (May 2025)

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) would like to update the public on products that have been found and reported by overseas regulators in May 2025 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)
3800 Hard Rock	Tadalafil	Health Canada
Alien 2 Power Platinum 11000	Tadalafil	Health Canada
Bang Maximum Power	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Black Mamba Premium Triple Maximum	Sildenafil and Tadalafil	Health Canada
Blue 6K	Sildenafil	Health Canada
CLOROC REJU CREAM	Betamethasone and Tretinoin	Malaysia Ministry of Health
Dolotrex	Diclofenac	Health Canada
Electro Buzz	Chloropretadalafil, Propoxyphenylsildenafil, and Sildenafil	United States Food and Drug Administration
ENDURANCE BOOST WITH HORNY GOAT WEED Capsules	Propoxyphenylsildenafil and Sildenafil	United States Food and Drug Administration
Ginseng Red 2000	Sildenafil	Health Canada
‘Good Health is over Wealth’	Frusemide and Sibutramine	Hong Kong Department of Health
HEBE - MICRO RESCUE CREAM (REDUCE ACNE SCAR)	Clindamycin and Metronidazole	Malaysia Ministry of Health
JIU JENG PUSHEN JIAO NANG	Tadalafil	Thailand Food and Drug Administration
Magnum Gold 24K	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Male Ultra	Chloropretadalafil, Propoxyphenylsildenafil, and Sildenafil	United States Food and Drug Administration
Male Ultra Pro	Chloropretadalafil, Propoxyphenylsildenafil, and Sildenafil	United States Food and Drug Administration
Malextra	Chloropretadalafil, Propoxyphenylsildenafil, and Sildenafil	United States Food and Drug Administration
Premium Pro Power 3500	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Rhino 7 Platinum 5000	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Rhino 69 Gold 777K	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Rhino 69 Platinum 700K	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Rhino 69 Platinum 35000	Tadalafil	Health Canada
SERI AYU SECRET – RADIANT REPAIR CREAM	Mercury	Malaysia Ministry of Health
Spanish Fly 20,000	Tadalafil	Health Canada
Spanish Fly 22,000	Tadalafil	Health Canada
Stiff Rox	Sildenafil and Tadalafil	Health Canada
SU PAO SAN BRAND TONIC CAPSULE	Sildenafil	Thailand Food and Drug Administration
Rhino 7 Platinum 5000	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Rhino 25 Platinum 25000 (gold capsules)	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Ultra Armor	Chloropretadalafil, Propoxyphenylsildenafil, and Sildenafil	United States Food and Drug Administration
Umovy	Dexamethasone and Diclofenac	United States Food and Drug Administration
Unavy	Dexamethasone, Diclofenac and Omeprazole	United States Food and Drug Administration
YA-GET 30	Sildenafil and Vardenafil	Thailand Food and Drug Administration

Annex B

The possible side effects of the potent ingredients

Corticosteroids

Betamethasone 17-Valerate 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.

 

Clindamycin

Clindamycin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It is a prescription medicine and should be used under medical supervision. Hypersensitivity reactions, such as skin rashes and urticaria, may occur with the use of clindamycin. Severe skin reactions, such as toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been reported with fatal outcomes. Other side effects associated with its use include severe stomach pain, changes in bowel habits, watery or bloody diarrhoea and renal dysfunction resulting in little or no urination.

 

Diclofenac

Diclofenac is a potent painkiller and may potentially cause cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes, as well as serious gastric bleeding, when used for a prolonged period. It should be used under close medical supervision, especially in patients with underlying heart conditions, stomach bleeding and ulceration.

 

Frusemide

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.

 

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.

 

Metronidazole

Metronidazole is used to treat bacterial infections. It is a prescription medicine and should be used under medical supervision. Hypersensitivity reactions, such as skin rashes and urticaria, may occur with the use of metronidazole. Severe skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been reported with its use. Fungal superinfections may also occur with the inappropriate long-term use of metronidazole.

 

Omeprazole

Omeprazole is a medicine used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases such as peptic ulcer disease, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, headaches, abdominal pain, and bloating. Long term use without medical supervision may increase your chances of serious side effects such as an increased risk of bone fractures, gut infections, and vitamin B12 deficiency.

 

Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors

This class of medicine includes avanafil, carbodenafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil and their derivatives. 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 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.

 

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: HSA Foreign Alert_2025_May

Published: 3 Jun 2025

Safety Alerts