OTTAWA, May 25, 2017 /CNW/ -
Issue
Health Canada is advising Canadians that multiple unauthorized health products seized from two retailers in Scarborough, 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) |
| Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave E Scarborough ON |
|
Isobutyl nitrite |
|
Sildenafil |
|
|
Yohimbe |
|
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Yohimbe |
|
|
Yohimbe bark extract |
|
|
Yohimbe bark extract |
|
|
Yohimbe bark extract |
|
|
Yohimbe |
|
|
Yohimbe, sildenafil, desmethyl carbodenafil and dapoxetine |
|
|
Sildenafil and tadalafil |
|
| Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Ave E Scarborough ON |
|
Yohimbe |
|
Yohimbe |
|
|
Yohimbe |
|
|
Yohimbe |
|
|
Sildenafil and tadalafil |
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 either labelled to contain a prescription drug, or tested and found to contain a prescription drug.
| Retailer |
Products |
Details |
| Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave E Scarborough ON |
|
Previous testing of product with similar packaging, identified as containing undeclared sildenafil |
|
Previous testing of product with similar packaging, identified as containing undeclared sildenafil |
|
|
Previous testing of product with similar packaging, identified as containing undeclared tadalafil |
|
|
Previously seized products with similar packaging were labelled to contain alkyl nitrites. |
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| Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Ave E Scarborough ON |
|
Previously seized products with similar packaging were labelled to contain alkyl nitrites. |
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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.
What Health Canada is doing
Health Canada seized the products from the retail locations. Should additional products, retailers or distributors be identified, Health Canada will take appropriate action and inform Canadians as necessary.
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. 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.
Sildenafil and tadalafil are prescription drug ingredients. Products containing these ingredients should be used only 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 it 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.
Desmethyl carbondenafil is a 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.
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. 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.
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, (613) 957-2983; Public Enquiries: (613) 957-2991, 1-866 225-0709
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