HSA updates on products found overseas that contain potent ingredients (August 2021)

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) would like to update the public on products that have been found and reported by overseas regulators in August 2021 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)
AB-Slim Slim-cellulose capsules	Sibutramine	Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration
Black Ant King	Ciprofloxacin and Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration
Epimedium and Ginseng Herbal Supplements	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
HAVYCO Vy&Tea 15/KLT 3.0G	Sibutramine	United States Food and Drug Administration
He Absolute King sachets	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration
MAX HEALTH Hydro Pinapple Burn	Sibutramine	United States Food and Drug Administration
Miss Slim	Sibutramine	United States Food and Drug Administration
One Night Love tablets	Ciprofloxacin and Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration
RODIS White Secret Lightening Body Cream/Lotion	Hydroquinone	United States Food and Drug Administration
Skin Revolution – Acne Clearing Solution	Clindamycin and Metronidazole	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
Themra Epimedyumlu Bitkisel Karisimli Macun	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Themra Epimedium Turkish Horny Goat Weed	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Vy&Tea	Sibutramine	United States Food and Drug Administration
365 Skinny Emergency Boutique Capsules	Sibutramine	United States Food and Drug Administration
365 Skinny High Intensity Pills	Sibutramine	United States Food and Drug Administration

 

Annex B

The possible side effects of the potent ingredients

 

Ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It is a prescription medicine and should be used under medical supervision. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and rash. Severe side effects include an increased risk of tendon rupture, hallucinations and nerve damage.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 (PDE-5 inhibitor) 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.

 

Download pdf document: HSA Foreign Alert_2021_August346 KB

Published: 2 Nov 2021

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