HSA updates on products found overseas that contain potent ingredients (February 2025)

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) would like to update the public on products that have been found and reported by overseas regulators in February 2025 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)
3800 Hard Rock	Tadalafil	Health Canada
Advance King	Dexamethasone, Diclofenac and Methocarbamol	United States Food and Drug Administration
Attote Diabète	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Attote Original	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Backwoods 10000K	Desmethylsibutramine, Sibutramine, Sildenafil and Tadalafil	Health Canada
BANG Maximum Power	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Big Cock Platinum Edition	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Bio Claire Lightening Body Lotion	Clobetasol	United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Bio LIT	1,4-dimethylamylamine (DMAA)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Bronz Tone Black Spot Corrector	Clobetasol and Hydroquinone	United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Carotone Clarifying Cream	Clobetasol and Hydroquinone	United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Ginseng 2000 Red	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Gluta White Anti-Acne Cream	Unknown ingredients and fragrance allergens	United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
HimGo	Diclofenac and Sildenafil	United States Food and Drug Administration
Karisma Brightening Day Cream	Mercury	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
La Paix Congnon-Mousso Yako	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Magnum Gold 24K	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Molly Care Night Cream	Mercury	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
PeakMax	Diclofenac and Sildenafil	United States Food and Drug Administration
Pink Pussycat	Hydroxythiohomosildenafil	Health Canada
Pinkkiss Beauty Care Herbal Cream	Betamethasone and Mercury	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
Pinkkiss Beauty Care Treatment Cream	Betamethasone, Hydroquinone and Tretinoin	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
Premium Pro Power 3500	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Pure Skin Moisturising and Anishing Body Lotion	Clobetasol and Hydroquinone	United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Rhino 69 23000K	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Rhino 69 475K	Tadalafil	Health Canada
Rhino 69 Platinum 35000	Tadalafil	Health Canada
Rhino 7 Platinum 900K	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Rhino 7 Platinum 10,000	Tadalafil	Health Canada
Rhino 7 Platinum 5000	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Rhino Super Long Lasting 70000	Sildenafil	Health Canada
Spanish Fly 20,000	Tadalafil	Health Canada
Spanish Fly 22,000	Tadalafil	Health Canada
Special Edition Platinum 10K	Acetaminophen, Tadalafil and Vardenafil	United States Food and Drug Administration
Stiff Rox Gold	Sildenafil and Tadalafil	Health Canada
Ufora Advance Repair Solution	Hydroquinone	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
Uniparco Cosmetique LightUp Dark Spots Correcting Beauty Lotion	Clobetasol and Hydroquinone	United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Vitafer-L Gold Liquid	Tadalafil	United States Food and Drug Administration
Vitality Capsules	Sildenafil and Tadalafil	United States Food and Drug Administration
VitalityXtra	Sildenafil	United States Food and Drug Administration
vROX	Sildenafil	United States Food and Drug Administration
ZapMax	Diclofenac and Sildenafil	United States Food and Drug Administration
ZoomMax	Diclofenac and Sildenafil	United States Food and Drug Administration

Annex B 

The possible side effects of the potent ingredients

1,4-dimethylamylamine (DMAA)

DMAA is a stimulant. The use of DMAA can lead to high blood pressure, shortness of breath, irregular heart rate, tightening in the chest, and heart attacks, as well as seizures.

 

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen or paracetamol is used for relieving pain, headache and fever. Products which contain acetaminophen or paracetamol, but do not have this declared on the label, pose a danger to consumers as accidental overdose can result in liver damage.

 

Corticosteroids

Betamethasone 17-Valerate, Clobetasol propionate, Dexamethasone and Prednisolone 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.

 

Diclofenac

Diclofenac is a potent painkiller and may potentially cause cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes, as well as serious gastric bleeding, when used for a prolonged period. It should be used under close medical supervision, especially in patients with underlying heart conditions, stomach bleeding and ulceration.

 

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.

 

Mercury

Mercury is a toxic substance and is prohibited for use as an ingredient in cosmetic products. Regular application of creams containing mercury could lead to rash, skin discolouration and blotching. Chronic exposure to very high levels of mercury in cosmetic products may also cause toxic effects to the kidneys, digestive and nervous system, as it can be absorbed through the skin. This could lead to organ damage.

 

Methocarbamol

Methocarbamol is a medicine used to treat acute, painful musculoskeletal spasms. Common side effects include headaches, sleepiness and dizziness. Serious side effects may include anaphylaxis, liver problems, confusion and seizures.

 

Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors

This class of medicine includes sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil and their derivatives. 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.

 

Sibutramine / Desmethyl 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.

Desmethyl sibutramine is like sibutramine and may have similar side effects.

 

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.

 

Download PDF: HSA Foreign Alert_2025_February

Published: 13 Mar 2025

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