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

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) would like to update the public on products that have been found and reported by overseas regulators in July 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)
Alpha Male Plus Male Enhancer	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Black Panther Platinum 30K	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Cholestene	Lovastatin	United States Food and Drug Administration
Genesis Ultra Slim Gold	Phenolphthalein and Sibutramine	United States Food and Drug Administration
Ginseng Power 5000 Capsule	Sildenafil and/or Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Gold Ant	Sildenafil	Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration
Krazy Night	Sildenafil, Tadalafil & Vardenafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
MAX HEALTH Hydro Pinapple Burn	Sibutramine and Desisobutylbenzylsibutramine	United States Food and Drug Administration
Miss Slim	Sibutramine	United States Food and Drug Administration
Poseidon Platinum	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Premium OrgaZEN 7000 capsule	Sildenafil and/or Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Rhino 69 Extreme 35000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Rhino 7 Platinum 5000	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) and Yohimbine	Health Canada
Sheesha Beauty Cream	Mercury	EU RAPEX (Sweden)
Shogun-X Platinum 7000	Sildenafil, Tadalafil and Vardenafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Shogun-X 7000 capsule	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Spanish Fly 20,000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Stiff Rox	Sildenafil and/or Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Thai Beauty Cream for Night Use	Mercury	EU RAPEX (Sweden)
Thumbs Up 7 (Black) 25K	Sildenafil, Tadalafil and Vardenafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Thumbs Up 7 (White) 11K	Sildenafil, Tadalafil and Vardenafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Triple Green	Yohimbe	Health Canada
White Panther	Yohimbe	Health Canada
X Rated Honey For Men	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
69MODE Blue 69	Sildenafil, Tadalafil and Vardenafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
7K	Yohimbe	Health Canada
365 SKINNY High Intensity	Sibutramine	United States Food and Drug Administration

 

Annex B

The possible side effects of the potent ingredients

 

Lovastatin

Lovastatin is a prescription medicine used to treat high cholesterol and should be used under medical supervision. The side effects associated with lovastatin use include constipation, joint pain and stomach pain.

 

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.

 

Phenolphthalein

Phenolphthalein may cause kidney disorders and has been found in animal studies to be associated with cancer. It may also cause breathing difficulties, rashes and abdominal cramps.

 

Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors

This class of medicine includes sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil. 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 / Desisobutylbenzylsibutramine

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. Desisobutylbenzyl sibutramine is similar to sibutramine and may have similar side effects.

 

Yohimbe/ Yohimbine

Yohimbine is a potent medicinal ingredient derived from yohimbe, a bark extract. Side effects associated with yohimbe or yohimbine include insomnia, anxiety, palpitations (sensation of heart pounding, racing or skipped beats), sweating and blurred vision. Overdosage can cause low blood pressure, rapid heartbeats, seizures, paralysis and coma. Deaths from overdose have also been reported.

 

Download pdf document: HSA Foreign Alert_2021_July773 KB

Published: 2 Nov 2021

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