HSA updates on products found overseas that contain potent ingredients (July 2022)

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) would like to update the public on products that have been found and reported by overseas regulators in July 2022 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)
Adam’s Secret Extra Strength 3000 Platinum (White Packaging)	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Adam’s Secret Extra Strength Amazing Black	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Adam’s Secret Extra Strength Blue	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Adam’s Secret Extra Strength Purple	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Alien Power Platinum 11000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Amsterdam	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Artri Ajo King Reforzado con Ortiga y Omega 3, 500mg tablets	Diclofenac	United States Food and Drug Administration
Artri King Reforzado con Ortiga y Omega 3, 500mg tablets	Diclofenac	United States Food and Drug Administration
BIELA BEAUTY GLOWING NIGHT CREAM	Mercury	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
BL SKINCARE DAY CREAM 1	Hydroquinone and Tretinoin	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
BL SKINCARE DAY CREAM 2	Mercury	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
BL SKINCARE NIGHT CREAM	Mercury	Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
Black Panther #1	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Black Panther #1 (3 pack)	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Black Panther Platinum 30K	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Blue Boy Original	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Dose Vital Royal Honey VIP Honey (Vital Honey)	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Double Scorpio Emerald	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Dr. Reade Slim Sense	Lorcaserin	United States Food and Drug Administration
English Royale	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Etumax Royal Honey for Him and Dose Vital Honey for Men	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Gold Label Amsterdam	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Gold Rush	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Honeymoon Exclusive For Men & Women	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Increasing Delay	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Infinity 10K	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Jaguar 25000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Jaguar 30000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Japan Tengsu	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Jungle Juice Max	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Jungle Juice Platinum	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Kangaroo Ultra 3000	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Kingdom Honey Royal Honey VIP	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Lipopastilla + Gold Max	Phenolphthalein and Sibutramine	United States Food and Drug Administration
Lucky Lady	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Maca	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Magnum Gold 24K	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Magnum Male Sexual Enhancement XXL 1000K	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Magnum XXL 9800	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Master Zone 1500 (Blue)	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
MyoBlox Skywalk Purple Haze	Levodopa	Health Canada
MyoBlox Skywalk Peach Rings	Levodopa	Health Canada
MyoBlox Skywalk Red Wave	Levodopa	Health Canada
Ortiga Mas Ajo Rey Reforzado con Omega 3, 6 y 9, 500 mg c/u tablets and 400 mg c/u capsules	Diclofenac	United States Food and Drug Administration
Passion Classic	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Pig Sweat	Isobutyl nitrite	Health Canada
Pink Pussycat	Hydroxythiohomosildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Platinum Rhino Love 2000	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Platinum ZEN69 96000	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Plus Imperial Love 22000	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Poseidon Platinum	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Power Panther	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Premier Love Platinum 22000	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Recharged Blue Rhino 79 Extreme 188K	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Red Diamond Viagra	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Red Mamba	Yohimbe	Health Canada
ResErection!	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
ResErection! (Bottle)	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Rhino	Aminotadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Rhino 7 Platinum 5000	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor) and Yohimbe	Health Canada
Rhino 8 Supreme 500K	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Rising Phoenix 5K	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Rochefort	Isobutyl Nitrite	Health Canada
Roselisa Elite Eyelash Serum	Bimatoprost	Health Canada
Royal Honey For HIm	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Rush Original	Isobutyl Nitrite	Health Canada
Rush Power Pak	Isobutyl Nitrite	Health Canada
Secret Miracle Royal Honey for Her	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Sexy Lady	Sildenafil, Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors) and Yohimbe	Health Canada
Shiva Gold	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Spanish Fly 20,000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Spanish Fly 22000	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
Stiff Rox	Sildenafil and Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitors)	Health Canada
Super Mamba Triple Maximum	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Super Panther 7K	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Super Panther 500K	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Sustango	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
Swiss Navy Daily Supplement for Sexual Health	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Twin Rhino 69 Power 500K+	Yohimbe	Health Canada
USA Black Gold	Sildenafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	Health Canada
V Slim Herbal	Sibutramine and Spironolactone	Hong Kong Department of Health
VIP Go Rhino	Yohimbe	Health Canada
Xcalibur Platinum 11000	Yohimbe	Health Canada
X Panther 9X	Yohimbe	Health Canada
X RATED HONEY FOR MEN	Tadalafil (PDE-5 inhibitor)	United States Food and Drug Administration
777K	Yohimbe	Health Canada

 

Annex B

The possible side effects of the potent ingredients

Bimatoprost

Bimatoprost is a medicine used to lower the intraocular pressure of the eye in glaucoma. It should be used under medical supervision as it can cause side effects such as blurred vision, eye irritation, darkened eyelid skin, iris colour change, eye inflammation and macular oedema and hyperemia.

 

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.

 

Isobutyl nitrite

Isobutyl nitrite is an alkyl nitrite which is often inhaled or ingested by consumers for recreational purposes, despite being labelled for various uses such as leather cleaners, room odourisers or liquid incense. Overdosage or serious medical complications, sometimes resulting in death, can occur when it is used without medical supervision.

 

Levodopa

Levodopa or L-Dopa is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease and should be used under medical supervision. Levodopa may potentially interact with medicines used to treat high blood pressure. Side effects of levodopa may include low blood pressure, irregular heart rate and breathing abnormalities.

 

Lorcaserin

Lorcaserin is a prescription medicine that was discontinued in the United States in 2020 due to an increased risk of cancer detected in users. Lorcaserin can also cause cardiovascular side effects such as decreased heart rate and heart valve disorder. At high doses, users can develop psychiatric dependences on the drug.

 

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 aminotadalafil, hydroxythiohomosildenafil, 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.

 

Spironolactone

Spironolactone is a medicine used to treat hyperaldosteronism (a disorder in which the adrenal gland releases too much of hormone aldosterone into the blood), low potassium levels, fluid retention, heart failure and high blood pressure. It should be used under medical supervision as hypersensitivity reactions, such as skin rashes and urticaria, may occur with the use of spironolactone. Severe skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been reported with spironolactone therapy.

 

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.

 

Yohimbe

Yohimbe is a bark extract from which a potent medicinal ingredient, Yohimbine, is derived. 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: HSA Foreign Alert_2022_July3270 KB

Published: 16 Aug 2022

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