Asian Diet Pills Recalled

September 17, 2007 - Hong Kong Department of Health announced today that the asian diet pills Jacaranda, Queenmer Fat Loss, Li Da Dai Dai Hua Jiao Nang, J-minus (also known as ZhongJi ShouShen and Ultimate Slimming) and Jelimel Slimming Capsules (also known as ShouShen JiuBing and Slimming Cavalry) have been found to contain the prescription drug Sibutramine, which is the ingredient in the popular prescription diet pill Meridia.

Jacaranda, Queenmer Fat Loss, Li Da Dai Dai Hua Jiao Nang, J-minus and Jelimel Slimming Capsules are promoted as weight loss products. Jelimel is labeled to "curb appetite, and inhibit fat & cholesterol synthesis from carbohydrates by 60-80%. The Hong Kong Department of Health found the products Jacaranda, Queenmer Fat Loss, Li Da Dai Dai Hua Jiao Nang, J-minus and Jelimel to be adulterated with the prescription drug sibutramine. Sibutramine is used for treating obesity and should only be taken under the supervision of a health care professional. Use of sibutramine may cause headaches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, chest pain and stroke.

These diet pill products are not authorized for sale in Canada and have not been found in the Canadian marketplace. However, it is possible these products could be purchased by Canadians travelling abroad or have been brought into Canada through personal importation by travellers or purchased over the Internet.

Canadians who have these products are advised not to use them, and should consult with a health care professional if they have concerns about their health related to the use of these products.

Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label. These numbers indicate that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality.

Health Canada advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they find any of the products listed in the table in the Canadian marketplace.

For more information about the information contained in this advisory, please contact Health Canada's public inquiries line at (613) 957-2991 or toll-free at 1-866-225-0709.

As of the date of this posting, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of these products have been reported in Canada.