Advisory - Unauthorized kratom and sexual enhancement products seized from multiple George's Convenience stores in the Greater Toronto Area may pose serious health risks

OTTAWA, Jan. 25, 2018 /CNW/ - 

Issue

Health Canada is advising Canadians that it has seized several health products, including one kratom and 16 sexual enhancement products, from multiple George's convenience stores located in the Greater Toronto Area (Brampton, Maple, Markham and Woodbridge). These products are not authorized by Health Canada and may pose serious health risks.

Who is affected

• Canadians who have bought or used these products.

Affected products

What consumers should do

• Stop using these products. 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

Desmethyl carbodenafil is an unauthorized substance similar to sildenafil and may pose similar health risks.

Dithiodesmethyl carbodenafil is an unauthorized substance similar to sildenafil and may pose similar health risks.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a herbal product that may pose serious health risks when swallowed or inhaled. Side effects include drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, liver toxicity and excessively rapid heartbeat. Kratom has been linked to both narcotic and stimulant-like effects, and has potential for abuse and dependence. Health Canada has not authorized the sale of any product containing kratom.

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.

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.

For more information

• Unauthorized Products May Pose Serious Health Risks
• Adulteration of natural health products

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SOURCE Health Canada