People urged not to use slimming product with undeclared drug ingredient

7 Jul 2009

The Department of Health (DH) today (July 7) called on members of the public not to buy or use a slimming product named "REDUCE WEIHGT Capsule" which was found to have contained undeclared western drug ingredient that may cause serious side effects.

The appeal was made following investigations by the department into two reports from the Hospital Authority concerning two persons who felt unwell after consuming the same slimming product they bought on the Internet.

The first report involved a 21-year-old woman presented with palpitation, headache and dry mouth and sought medical treatment at Tseung Kwan O Hospital on May 11.

Another case involved a 18-year-old woman who sought medical treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on June 22 for palpitation, shortness of breath, chest discomfort and dizziness.

Both of them did not require hospitalization. They are now in stable condition.

Laboratory tests on samples of the product showed the presence of sibutramine.

A spokesman for DH said sibutramine is a western medicine used as appetite suppressant. Its side effects include dry mouth, palpitation, insomnia, and increased blood pressure and heart rate, emotional disturbance, and possibly convulsion. People with heart problems should not take it.

The spokesman said, a product containing sibutramine must be registered under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance and can be sold only on a doctor's prescription and under supervision of a pharmacist.

Sale of unregistered pharmaceutical product is an offence liable to the maximum penalties of a $100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.

The spokesman said: "Those who have possessed the product should stop using them immediately and consult medical professionals for advice if they feel unwell."

They should destroy and dispose of the products or submit them to the department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon during office hours.

The spokesman said, "Weight control should be achieved by observing balanced diet and appropriate exercise. They should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control."