Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (May 17, 2019 - Part 1)

Starting date:: May 17, 2019
Type of communication:: Advisory
Subcategory:: Natural health products
Source of recall:: Health Canada
Issue:: Unauthorized products
Audience:: General Public
Identification number:: RA-69975

Last updated: 2019-05-17

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

Cardarine (also known as GW501516 and possibly GW1516), MK-677 and SR-9009 are not authorized in Canada for any use and may pose serious health risks. All clinical development of GW501516 was stopped when toxicities, including various cancers, were discovered following routine, long-term animal studies. The long-term effects in humans are unknown.

Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) is a drug that is not authorized for use in Canada. Side effects include high blood pressure, shortness of breath, chest pain, stroke and psychiatric disorders.

Chloramphenicol is a prescription antibiotic drug. It is associated with a rare risk of aplastic anemia, a serious blood disorder that can be fatal. This reaction is unpredictable and not related to a specific dose of chloramphenicol. Other side effects include allergic reactions in people who have sensitivity to the medication, and effects on the bone marrow leading to decreased blood cells. The drug should not be used by pregnant or nursing women.

"Poppers" is a slang term for products that contain alkyl nitrites. Despite being labelled for various uses such as leather cleaners, room odourizers or liquid incense, these products are inhaled or ingested by consumers for recreational purposes. Alkyl nitrites, such as amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite and isobutyl nitrite, are prescription drugs and should be used only under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Products containing alkyl nitrites may pose serious risks, including death, depending on the amount used, how frequently they are used and how long they are used for, as well as the person's health and the other medications they may be taking. Since it is difficult to control how much is inhaled, people can accidentally overdose. Swallowing these products can lead to serious medical complications and may be fatal. People with certain medical conditions (including recent head trauma, bleeding into the head, glaucoma, or heart disease) and those taking certain medications (particularly drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction, and other drugs such as high blood pressure medications, certain migraine drugs, and high doses of aspirin) or illicit drugs are at particular risk.

Rauwolfia (also known as rauvolfia) is a prescription drug that can be used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). People with heart conditions or psychiatric disorders should receive close medical supervision when using it as it can make certain conditions, such as depression, worse. Common side effects include tiredness, sleepiness, depression, nasal obstruction and breathlessness. Rauwolfia should not be used by children, or pregnant or nursing women.

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) are drugs that are not authorized in Canada for any use and have not been reviewed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality. The use of bodybuilding products that contain SARMs can pose serious health risks such as heart attack, stroke and liver damage. The long-term effects on the body are unknown. Examples include andarine, ostarine, LDG-4033, YK-11, and RAD-140.

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.

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

See table Part 1 below and Part 2. Links to previous tables with affected products are also available below.

Product description

Unauthorized health products
Product & Promoted Use	Hazard Identified	Company	Action Taken	Date Added
7K Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	2 Night Adult Movies and Toys 1811 Lawrence Avenue East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Jungle Juice Platinum Poppers	Product with similar packaging previously seized was labelled to contain alkyl nitrites	2 Night Adult Movies and Toys 1811 Lawrence Avenue East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Rodeo Fantasy Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	2 Night Adult Movies and Toys 1811 Lawrence Avenue East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Rush Poppers	Product with similar packaging previously seized was labelled to contain alkyl nitrites	2 Night Adult Movies and Toys 1811 Lawrence Avenue East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Triple Green Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	2 Night Adult Movies and Toys 1811 Lawrence Avenue East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
White Panther Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	2 Night Adult Movies and Toys 1811 Lawrence Avenue East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Gold Rush Original Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Green Mamba Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Jungle Juice Platinum Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Kamagra 100 Gold Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain sildenafil	Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Libi Prince Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Nitro Supra Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Passion Classic Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Poseidon Platinum 3500 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil	Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Real Gold Poppers	Labelled to contain alkyl nitrite	Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Rising Phoenix 5K Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Shark 5K Sexual Enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Silagra 100 Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain sildenafil	Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Super Rush Original Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
White Panther Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Adult Store 2365 Eglinton Ave East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
3800 Hard Rock Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Daisy Mart 2300 Eglinton Ave. E. Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Black Mamba Premium 18000 Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Daisy Mart 2300 Eglinton Ave. E. Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Black Panther #1Triple Maximum Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Daisy Mart 2300 Eglinton Ave. E. Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Ginseng Red 2000 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil	Daisy Mart 2300 Eglinton Ave. E. Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Premium Pro Power 3500 Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil	Daisy Mart 2300 Eglinton Ave. E. Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Rush Hour 72 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil, tadalafil, desmethyl carbodenafil, and dithiodesmethyl carbodenafil	Daisy Mart 2300 Eglinton Ave. E. Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
XXLant 3000 Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Daisy Mart 2300 Eglinton Ave. E. Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Ginseng Red 2000 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil	Family Supermarket 2304 Eglinton Avenue East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Horny Goat Weed Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Family Supermarket 2304 Eglinton Avenue East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Premium X Pulse 1300 Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Family Supermarket 2304 Eglinton Avenue East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Premium X Pulse 1500 Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Family Supermarket 2304 Eglinton Avenue East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Premium X Pulse 2000 Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Family Supermarket 2304 Eglinton Avenue East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
XXLant 3000 Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Family Supermarket 2304 Eglinton Avenue East Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
7K Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Jaguar 11000 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Amsterdam Poppers	Product with similar packaging previously seized was labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Amsterdam Gold Label Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Amsterdam Platinum Poppers	Labelled to contain alkyl nitrite	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Black Ant King Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging tested by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration was found to contain undeclared sildenafil and chloramphenicol	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Black Stallion 5000 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil, tadalafiland homosildenafil	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Blue Boy Poppers	Product with similar packaging previously seized was labelled to contain alkyl nitrites	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Crypt Tonight Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Ecstasy Pop Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
English Royale Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Forta for Men Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain tadalafil	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
FX 12000 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Gold Rush Original Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Green Mamba Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Heavy Duty Bolt Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Jungle Juice Black Label Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Jungle Juice Gold Label Poppers	Labelled to contain alkyl nitrite	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Jungle Juice Platinum Poppers	Product with similar packaging previously seized was labelled to contain alkyl nitrites	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Jungle Juice Platinum Black Poppers	Product with similar packaging previously seized was labelled to contain alkyl nitrites	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Locker Room Original Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Mr. Wonderful Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
MV7 Days 2000 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
MV7 Days 3500 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Passion Classic Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Poseidon Platinum 3500 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Real Gold Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Red Lips Premium Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
ResErection (bottle) Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
ResErection (capsule) Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Rhino 25 Titanium 8000 Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Rising Phoenix 5K Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Rochfort Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Rush Poppers	Product with similar packaging previously seized was labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (alkyl nitrites)	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Stamina 7 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil and thiosildenafil	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Stiff Rox Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging previously seized was tested and found to contain sildenafil	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Super Rush Poppers	Product with similar packaging previously seized was labelled to contain alkyl nitrites	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Super Rush Black Label Poppers	Labelled to contain isobutyl nitrite (an alkyl nitrite)	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Thunder Bull Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
Wet XXX Triple Maximum Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019
White Panther Triple Maximum Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Homerama Adult Video 2524 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON	Seized from the retail location	May 17, 2019