OTTAWA, April 11, 2014 /CNW/ -
The issue: Four unauthorized drugs being sold at two SVN FUEL stores - one in Burnaby and one in Coquitlam, B.C. - were seized by Health Canada as they contain ingredients that are potentially dangerous to the health of consumers.
The products, and the unapproved ingredients they contain, include Jack3d (DMAA (1, 3-dimethylamylamine), Red Rockets (ephedrine and caffeine), West Pharm Therma Lean (ephedrine and caffeine), and OxyElite Pro (1, 3-dimethylamylamine HCl and Yohimbe Bark extract). They were being promoted for weight management.
Who is affected: Canadians who have used or purchased any of these products.
What consumers should do:
|
What Health Canada is doing:
Health Canada seized Jack3d from SVN FUEL, Unit 102, 9952 Lougheed Hwy. Burnaby, B.C.
Red Rockets, West Pharm Therma Lean and OxyElite Pro were seized from SVN FUEL, Unit 138, 3000 Lougheed Hwy, Coquitlam, B.C.
Health Canada previously advised Canadians of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning not to use dietary supplements labelled as "OxyElite Pro" following several U.S. reports of serious liver injury.
Background:
Jack3d was found to contain DMAA (dimethylamylamine), a drug that is not authorized for use in Canada. Side effects include high blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain, stroke and psychiatric disorders.
Red Rockets and West Pharm Therma Lean were found to contain ephedrine and caffeine. Ephedrine and caffeine, when combined together, may cause serious and possibly fatal adverse effects ranging from dizziness, tremors, headaches and irregularities in heart rate, to seizures, psychosis, heart attacks and stroke. Canadians suffering from heart conditions, high blood pressure and diabetes are among those particularly at risk. Ephedrine is authorized for the relief of nasal congestion but is not authorized for sale in Canada as a stimulant or weight management product.
In addition to dimethylamylamine, OxyElite Pro was found to contain Yohimbe bark extract. The use of any unauthorized drugs containing yohimbine (either as yohimbine hydrochloride or yohimbe bark extract) may result in serious adverse reactions, particularly in people with high blood pressure, heart, kidney or liver disease. Side effects associated with yohimbine include increased blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety, dizziness, tremors, headache, nausea and sleep disorders. It should not be used by children, pregnant or nursing women.
In 2010, Health Canada received four reports of adverse reactions associated with the use of West Pharm Therma Lean.
For more information:
Consumers and health professionals wanting more information about this advisory from Health Canada can contact the Public Enquiries Line at 613-957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.
Media enquiries related to this Advisory should be directed to Health Canada Media Relations at 613-957-2983.
1. Jack3d (contains DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine)
2. Red Rockets (contains Ma Huang, 8% Ephedrine and caffeine)
3. West Pharm Therma Lean (contains Ma Huang, 8% Ephedrine and caffeine)
4. OxyElite Pro (contains 1, 3-dimethylamylamine HCl and Yohimbe Bark extract)
How to report side effects of health products to Health Canada:
- Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
- Visit MedEffect Canada's web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax.
Related Health Canada Content:
- Foreign Product Alert: Plexus Slim Accelerator capsules, and Plexus Slim Accelerator 3 Day Trial pack (February 7, 2014)
- Unauthorized weight loss products OxyElite Pro linked to multiple reports of serious liver injury in the U.S. (November 13, 2013)
- Various dangerous ExtenZe products found at Calgary retailer (June 4, 2013)
- Jack3d (August 22, 2011)
Stay connected with Health Canada and receive the latest advisories and product recalls using social media tools.
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2014/04/11/20140411_C9594_DOC_EN_39171.pdf
SOURCE: Health Canada
Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983
Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-070
Également disponible en français
Share this article