Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks
- Starting date:
- June 11, 2019
- Type of communication:
- Information Update
- Subcategory:
- Natural health products
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Issue:
- Unauthorized products, Important Safety Information
- Audience:
- General Public
- Identification number:
- RA-70171
Last updated:
Issue
Health Canada is advising Canadians about unauthorized health products that may pose serious health risks. The table below is updated when Health Canada finds unauthorized health products that are promoted for sexual enhancement, weight loss, as a workout aid, or as “poppers,” and that are labelled to contain or have been tested and found to contain dangerous ingredients. Links to previous tables with affected products are also available below.
Unauthorized health products have not been approved by Health Canada, which means that they have not been assessed for safety, effectiveness and quality. Unauthorized health products can pose many health dangers, including:
- They may contain ingredients not listed on the label. This includes ingredients like prescription drugs, possibly at doses exceeding maximum recommended amounts. Prescription drugs should be taken only under the supervision of a health professional because they may cause serious side effects. Using a product that contains ingredients that the consumer is not aware of increases the chance of dangerous allergies and interactions with other medications and foods.
- The label may indicate a dangerous ingredient or combination of ingredients. For example, it could list a drug that should be available only by prescription from a heath care professional, or a combination of ingredients that Health Canada does not permit because of serious health risks.
Health Canada maintains this page so that Canadians can easily identify products they may have purchased and take appropriate action. Canadians are encouraged to check back regularly for updates. Advisories on safety issues involving other types of products are available in the recalls and safety alerts database.
What you should do
- Stop using the products listed below. Consult your health care professional if you have used these products and have health concerns, and for advice on which health products are best for you and your family.
- Read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM). You can also check if products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada’s Drug Product Database and Licensed Natural Health Product Database.
- Report any health product adverse events or complaints to Health Canada.
- See the additional information on buying health products safely in the helpful links below.
What companies should know:
- Selling unauthorized health products in Canada is illegal.
- When Health Canada identifies unauthorized products that may pose serious health risks, Health Canada takes appropriate action to prevent further distribution and informs Canadians. This includes working with the Canada Border Services Agency to help prevent further importation of unauthorized products.
Background
Sildenafil is a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. It should not be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g. nitroglycerine) as it can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure. Individuals with heart problems are at increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure and abnormal heartbeat. Other possible side effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision, and hearing loss. The following are unauthorized substances that are similar to sildenafil and may pose similar health risks: desmethyl carbodenafil, dithiodesmethyl carbodenafil, homosildenafil, hydroxythiohomosildenafil, and thiosildenafil.
Tadalafil is a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. It should not be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g. nitroglycerine) as it can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure. Individuals with heart problems are at increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure and abnormal heartbeat. Other possible side effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision, and hearing loss. Aminotadalafil is an unauthorized substance that is similar to tadalafil and may pose similar health risks.
Yohimbine is a prescription drug and should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. Yohimbine is derived from yohimbe, a bark extract. The use of yohimbine or yohimbe may result in serious adverse reactions particularly in people with high blood pressure, or heart, kidney or liver disease. Side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety, dizziness, tremors, headache, nausea and sleep disorders. It should not be used by children, or pregnant or nursing women.
Affected products
Links to previous tables with affected products are also available below.
Product description
| Photo | Product & Promoted Use | Hazard Identified | Company | Action Taken | Date Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Jaguar 30000 Sexual enhancement | Product with similar packagingpreviously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil |
Forbidden Pleasures
Locations:
91 George St. N,
Market Plaza, Peterborough, ON
871 Chemong Rd,
Peterborough, ON | Seized from the retail location | June 11, 2019 |
 | Kangaroo Sexual enhancement | Product with similar packagingpreviously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil |
Forbidden Pleasures
Locations:
91 George St. N,
Market Plaza, Peterborough, ON
871 Chemong Rd,
Peterborough, ON
1268 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, ON | Seized from the retail location | June 11, 2019 |
 | Master Zone 1500 Sexual enhancement | Product with similar packagingpreviously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil |
Forbidden Pleasures
Locations:
91 George St. N,
Market Plaza, Peterborough, ON
871 Chemong Rd,
Peterborough, ON
1268 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, ON | Seized from the retail location | June 11, 2019 |
 | ResERECTION! Sexual enhancement | Product with similar packagingpreviously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil |
Forbidden Pleasures
Locations:
91 George St. N,
Market Plaza, Peterborough, ON
1268 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, ON | Seized from the retail location | June 11, 2019 |
 | Rhino Sexual enhancement | Product with similar packagingpreviously seized was tested and found to contain aminotadalafil |
Forbidden Pleasures
Locations:
91 George St. N,
Market Plaza, Peterborough, ON
1268 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, ON | Seized from the retail location | June 11, 2019 |
 | Stiff Nights Sexual enhancement | Product with similar packagingpreviously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil |
Forbidden Pleasures
91 George St. N,
Market Plaza, Peterborough, ON | Seized from the retail location | June 11, 2019 |
 | Super Panther 7K Sexual enhancement | Labelled to contain yohimbe |
Forbidden Pleasures
Locations:
91 George St. N,
Market Plaza, Peterborough, ON
871 Chemong Rd,
Peterborough, ON
1268 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, ON | Seized from the retail location | June 11, 2019 |
 | Triple Green | Labelled to contain yohimbe |
Forbidden Pleasures
Locations:
91 George St. N,
Market Plaza, Peterborough, ON
871 Chemong Rd,
Peterborough, ON
1268 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, ON | Seized from the retail location | June 11, 2019 |
 | VIP Go Rhino Gold 69K | Labelled to contain yohimbe |
Forbidden Pleasures
Locations:
91 George St. N,
Market Plaza, Peterborough, ON
871 Chemong Rd,
Peterborough, ON
1268 Simcoe Street North,
Oshawa, ON | Seized from the retail location | June 11, 2019 |
 | XXLant 3000 | Labelled to contain yohimbe |
Forbidden Pleasures
871 Chemong Rd,
Peterborough, ON | Seized from the retail location | June 11, 2019 |
Related AWRs
Media enquiries
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983
(613) 957-2983
Public enquiries
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
1-866 225-0709
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