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

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) would like to update the public on products that have been found and reported by overseas regulators in September 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)
Bewild Petite Stick (Coral Brown)	Pigment Red (CI 15585)	Thailand Food and Drug Administration
Cathy Doll Nude Matte Lipstick #10 Touch Coral	Pigment Red (CI 15585)	Thailand Food and Drug Administration
HE ABSOLUTE KING	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Hong Kong Department of Health
KT Night Cream	Mercury (Toxic heavy metal)	Thailand Food and Drug Administration
Light White Body Cream	Mercury (Toxic heavy metal)	Thailand Food and Drug Administration
Light White Cream	Clobetasol (Corticosteroid)	Thailand Food and Drug Administration
Lovely Plus Herbal Hair Colour (Brown)	o-Aminophenol	Thailand Food and Drug Administration
Lovely Plus Herbal Hair Colour (Golden Brown)	o-Aminophenol	Thailand Food and Drug Administration
Lumi Lash	Bimatoprost	Health Canada
Maxi-Peel	Hydroquinone and Tretinoin	Health Canada
Miracle Pink	Hydroquinone	Thailand Food and Drug Administration
Night Cream ForU By D Ains Beauty Empire	Betamethasone (Corticosteroid), Hydroquinone and Tretinoin	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
NP Skin Ideal Skin Care CM-II Arbutin Night Cream	Mercury (Toxic heavy metal)	Thailand Food and Drug Administration
NP Skin Ideal Skin Care Turmeric Night Repair Treatment	Betamethasone (Corticosteroid) and Mercury (Toxic heavy metal)	Thailand Food and Drug Administration
P.U. light aura bright	Betamethasone (Corticosteroid) and Mercury (Toxic heavy metal)	Thailand Food and Drug Administration
Penisole Capsules (Ayurvedic)	Lead (Toxic heavy metal)	Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration
Rhino 69	Prasterone	Health Canada
Su Pao Sun Jiao Nang	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Thailand Food and Drug Administration
Wonder Pill	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States of America Food and Drug Administration

 

Annex B

The possible side effects of the potent ingredients

Bimatoprost

Bimatoprost is a medicine used to lower the intraocular pressure of the eye in glaucoma. It should be used under medical supervision as it can cause side effects such as blurred vision, eye irritation, darkened eyelid skin, iris colour change, eye inflammation and macular oedema and hyperemia.

 

Corticosteroids

Betamethasone 17-Valerate and Clobetasol propionate 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.

 

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.

 

o-Aminophenol

o-Aminophenol is a chemical that is not allowed to be present in hair dyes or hair colouring products. It can cause skin allergies and eye irritation, and potentially serious eye damage. Acute toxicity can occur when ingested orally or inhaled, causing asthma symptoms, or breathing difficulties. Damage to the kidneys may occur through prolonged or repeated exposure.

 

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 while on nitrates have been reported overseas.

 

Pigment Red (CI 15585)

Pigment red is a synthetic colouring agent widely used in printing inks and letter press. It has been associated with contact dermatitis following cosmetic use. Although there is inadequate evidence of carcinogenicity in humans, limited evidence of toxicity, tumours and splenomegaly occurred in experimental animals after long term intake.

 

Prasterone

Prasterone, also known as Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), is a hormone that could increase the risk of prostate, breast, ovarian and other hormone-sensitive cancers. Side effects may include serious cardiovascular disease, changes in fertility and sperm production, hair loss, voice deepening, insulin resistance, changes in menstrual pattern, liver dysfunction, abdominal pain, and high blood pressure.

 

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.

 

Toxic Heavy Metals

Consumption of excessive amounts of toxic heavy metals such as lead and mercury pose serious health risks and may increase the chance of poisoning. Exposure to high levels of lead may cause anaemia, weakness, and kidney and brain damage. High levels of mercury may cause kidney injury (e.g. protein in urine and oedema) and affect the nervous system (e.g. numbness, tingling, dizziness, forgetfulness, headaches and depression).

 

Download PDF: HSA Foreign Alert_2022_Sep911 KB

Published: 6 Oct 2022

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