Health Canada is advising consumers not to use the following product listed in the table below due to concerns about possible side-effects.
Source of Alert: Hong Kong Department of Health
Product Names:
* ARMA - Sin Gang San
* New ARMA - Sin Gang San
Product Description
ARMA - Sin Gang San and New ARMA - Sin Gang San are promoted for weight loss.
Reason for Warning
The Hong Kong Department of Health has warned against the use of ARMA - Sin Gang San and New ARMA - Sin Gang San because they were found to contain the undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients sibutramine and fenfluramine.
Sibutramine is a prescription drug used in the treatment of obesity and should only be used under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
Fenfluramine was previously used in the treatment of obesity but is currently prohibited for sale in Canada.
Possible Side-Effects
Use of sibutramine may cause headaches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, chest pain and stroke. In addition, sibutramine may interact with many psychiatric medications.
Use of fenfluramine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea, frequent urination, nausea and dry mouth. Fenfluramine is associated with an increased risk of primary pulmonary hypertension (severe lung disease) if used longer than 3 months, and heart valve disease.