Advisory - Multiple unauthorized "poppers" and sexual enhancement products seized from Scarborough and Etobicoke adult stores may pose serious health risks

Multiple unauthorized "poppers" and sexual enhancement products seized from Scarborough and Etobicoke adult stores may pose serious health risks (CNW Group/Health Canada)

OTTAWA, June 23, 2017 /CNW/ -

Issue
Health Canada is advising Canadians that multiple unauthorized health products seized from two adult stores in Scarborough and Etobicoke, ON, may pose serious risks to health. Products seized include "poppers" and products promoted for sexual enhancement.

Who is affected

• Consumers who have bought or used any of these products

Affected products
The following unauthorized products are either labelled to contain or have been tested and found to contain the listed ingredients.

Retailer	Products	Ingredient(s)
Mostly Adult Video Store 2832 Markham Rd Scarborough, ON	-  Amsterdam 10 mL -  Super Rush 9 mL -  Blue Boy 30 mL -  Gold Rush Original 10 mL -  Jungle Juice Platinum 10 mL -  Jungle Juice Platinum 30 mL -  Jungle Juice Plus 10 mL -  Rush 30 mL -  Rush 9 mL	Isobutyl nitrite
	-  Super Panther 7K -  Triple Green -  Passion Classic -  Spanish Fly Sex Liquid Zesty Cola -  Spanish Fly Sex Liquid Hot Cherry -  Spanish Fly Sex Liquid Wild Strawberry -  Spanish Fly Sex Liquid Stimulating Coffee	Yohimbe or corynanthe yohimbe bark extract
	-  ExTenze	DHEA, pregnenolone and yohimbe extract (bark)
	-  Rhino 8 Platinum 8000	Sildenafil (identified by United States Food and Drug Administration testing)
Wiggles Adult Video 980 The Queensway Etobicoke, ON	-  Brown Bottle 10 mL -  English Royale 10 mL -  English Royale 30 mL -  Gold Rush Original 10 mL -  Gold Rush Original 30 mL -  Jungle Juice Gold Label 10 mL -  Jungle Juice Platinum 10 mL -  Jungle Juice Platinum 30 mL -  Pig Sweat 10 mL -  PowerPlay Formula Leather Eagle 10 mL -  Real Gold 10 mL -  Rochfort 10 mL -  Rush Original 10 mL	Isobutyl nitrite or alkyl nitrite
	-  7K -  Passion Classic -  Rhino 8 Platinum 8000 -  Spanish Fly Sex Liquid Hot Cherry -  Spanish Fly Sex Liquid Stimulating Coffee -  Spanish Fly Sex Liquid Wild Strawberry -  Spanish Fly Sex Liquid Zesty Cola -  Super Panther 7K -  Triple Green	Yohimbe or corynanthe yohimbe bark extract
	-  One More Knight 1750	Sildenafil, tadalafil and dapoxetine

The following unauthorized products were also seized by Health Canada. The Department previously seized unauthorized products with similar packaging from other retailers because they were labelled to contain or tested and found to contain a prescription drug.

Retailer	Products	Details
Mostly Adult Video Store 2832 Markham Rd Scarborough, ON	-  Amsterdam 30 mL -  Blue Boy 10 mL	Previously seized products with similar packaging were labelled to contain alkyl nitrites
	-  Blue Diamond For Men -  Kangaroo	Previously tested products with similar packaging were found to contain undeclared sildenafil
	-  ResErection! -  Stiff Nights	Previously tested  products with similar packaging were found to contain undeclared sildenafil and tadalafil
Wiggles Adult Video 980 The Queensway Etobicoke, ON	-  Amsterdam 10 mL -  Blue Boy 10 mL -  Rush 10 mL -  Super Rush 10 mL	Previously seized products with similar packaging were labelled to contain alkyl nitrites
	-  Poseidon Platinum 3500 -  R Se7en -  Stiff 4 hours	Previously tested products with similar packaging were found to contain undeclared sildenafil
	-  ResErection!  -  MV7 Days 3500	Previously tested products with similar packaging were found to contain undeclared sildenafil and tadalafil
	-  Black Stallion 5000	Previously tested products with similar packaging were found to contain undeclared sildenafil, tadalafil and homosildenafil

What consumers should do

• Stop using these products. Consult with your health care professional if you have used any of these products and have health concerns.
• Read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM). You can also check whether products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada's Drug Product Database and Licensed Natural Health Product Database.
• Report adverse events to health products to Health Canada by calling toll-free at 1‑866‑234‑2345, or by reporting online, by mail or by fax.
• Report complaints about health products to Health Canada by calling toll-free at 1‑800‑267‑9675, or complete an online complaint form.

Background

"Poppers" is a slang term for products that contain alkyl nitrites. Despite being labelled for various uses such as leather cleaners, room odourizers 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 drugs and should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. 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. People with certain medical conditions (including recent head trauma, bleeding into the head, glaucoma, or heart disease) and those taking certain medications (particularly drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction), and other drugs (such as high blood pressure medications, certain migraine drugs, and high doses of aspirin) or illicit drugs are at particular risk.

Health Canada maintains a list of retail locations across Canada that have been found to be selling "poppers." Canadians can monitor the list for updates in their area.

Dapoxetine is a drug used to treat premature ejaculation and is not authorized for sale in Canada. Side effects include fainting or loss of consciousness, dizziness, changes in blood pressure, blurred vision, seizures, headache, diarrhea and nausea. In particular, dapoxetine should not be used by individuals who have cardiac conditions, liver disease, a history of mania or bipolar disorder, or are taking certain other medications, including monoamine oxidase inhibitors, antidepressants, and a number of other drugs and herbal products that can interact with dapoxetine.

DHEA is a controlled drug that can cause higher than normal levels of female and male hormones in the body and could increase the risk of prostate, breast, ovarian, and other hormone-sensitive cancers. It should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. Potential side effects include serious cardiovascular disease, as well as changes in fertility and sperm production. DHEA should be avoided by individuals with a history of abnormal heart rhythms, blood clotting disorders, liver disease and those who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Pregnenolone is a prescription drug that can cause higher than normal levels of female and male hormones in the body and could increase the risk of prostate, breast, ovarian, and other hormone-sensitive cancers. It should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. In particular, pregnenolone should not be used by women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, and should be avoided by individuals who suffer from epileptic seizures or who are taking anti-seizure medications.

Sildenafil and tadalafil are prescription drug ingredients. Products containing these ingredients should only be used under the supervision of a health care practitioner. Sildenafil and tadalafil should not be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (such as nitroglycerine) as they can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure. Individuals with heart problems are at increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure and abnormal heartbeat. Other side effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision and hearing loss.

Homosildenafil is an unauthorized substance similar to sildenafil and may pose similar health risks. 

Yohimbine is a prescription drug and should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. Yohimbine is derived from yohimbe, a bark extract. The use of yohimbine or yohimbe may result in serious adverse reactions, particularly in people with high blood pressure, or heart, kidney or liver disease. Side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety, dizziness, tremors, headache, nausea and sleep disorders. It should not be used by children, or pregnant or nursing women.

What Health Canada is doing
Health Canada seized the products from the retail locations. Should additional retailers or distributors be identified, Health Canada will take appropriate action and inform Canadians as necessary.

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For more information
Stay connected with Health Canada and receive the latest advisories and product recalls using social media tools.

To learn more about natural health products and other self-care products, visit Canada.ca/selfcare-products.

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SOURCE Health Canada

Media Enquiries: Health Canada, [phone]; Public Enquiries: [phone], 1-866 225-0709