Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (December 9, 2019 to January, 17 2020)

Starting date:: December 9, 2019
Posting date:: January 17, 2020
Type of communication:: Advisory
Subcategory:: Drugs, Natural health products
Source of recall:: Health Canada
Issue:: Unauthorized products, Important Safety Information
Audience:: General Public
Identification number:: RA-71843

Last updated: 2020-02-10

Issue
What you should do
Background
Affected products
Related AWRs
Media enquiries
Public enquiries
Images

Summary

Product: Various unauthorized health products promoted for sexual enhancement, weight loss, as a workout aid, or as "poppers".
Issue: Products may contain dangerous ingredients such as prescription drugs that are not listed on the label, or the label may indicate a dangerous ingredient or combination of ingredients.
What to do: Stop using these products and consult your healthcare professional if you have health concerns. Report these or any unauthorized health products to Health Canada.

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 care 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 health 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 GW1516), MK-677 and SR-9009 are not authorized in Canada for any use and may pose serious health risks. All clinical development all activities to bring GW501516 to market were stopped when toxicities, including various cancers, were discovered following routine, long-term animal studies. The long-term effects in humans are unknown.

"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 (MK 2866), ligandrol (LDG-4033) myostine (YK-11), and testolone (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. Hydroxythiohomosildenafil and thiodimethylsildenafil are unauthorized substances that are similar to sildenafil and may pose similar health risks.

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) since 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

Unauthorized health products
Product & Promoted Use	Hazard Identified	Company	Action Taken	Date Added
Spanish Fly Sex Liquid Wild Strawberry Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was labelled to contain yohimbe	Balout Supermarket 8-13130 Yonge St., Richmond Hill, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 17, 2020
Vigour 800 Sexual enhancement	Product with same name was tested by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration and found to contain sildenafil	Balout Supermarket 8-13130 Yonge St., Richmond Hill, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 17, 2020
Zhen Gongfu Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain sildenafil	Balout Supermarket 8-13130 Yonge St., Richmond Hill, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 17, 2020
Zhen Gongfu Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain sildenafil	Pars Foods Inc. 365 John St., Thornhill, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 17, 2020
777K Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Lil’ Devil Adult Video & Toys 1620 Idylwyld Dr. North, Unit 4 Saskatoon, SK	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Bl4ck 4K Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain sildenafil	Lil’ Devil Adult Video & Toys 1620 Idylwyld Dr. North, Unit 4 Saskatoon, SK	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Boss Lion 9000 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was found to contain sildenafil	Lil’ Devil Adult Video & Toys 1620 Idylwyld Dr. North, Unit 4 Saskatoon, SK	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Gold Lion Gold Label 3000mg Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain hydroxythiohomosildenafil	Lil’ Devil Adult Video & Toys 1620 Idylwyld Dr. North, Unit 4 Saskatoon, SK	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Green Mamba Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Lil’ Devil Adult Video & Toys 1620 Idylwyld Dr. North, Unit 4 Saskatoon, SK	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Poseidon Platinum 3500 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain sildenafil	Lil’ Devil Adult Video & Toys 1620 Idylwyld Dr. North, Unit 4 Saskatoon, SK	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
ResERECTION! (Blister) Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil	Lil’ Devil Adult Video & Toys 1620 Idylwyld Dr. North, Unit 4 Saskatoon, SK	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Rodeo Fantasy Triple Maximum Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Lil’ Devil Adult Video & Toys 1620 Idylwyld Dr. North, Unit 4 Saskatoon, SK	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Titanium 4000 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil	Lil’ Devil Adult Video & Toys 1620 Idylwyld Dr. North, Unit 4 Saskatoon, SK	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Ultimate 3500 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain thiodimethylsildenafil	Lil’ Devil Adult Video & Toys 1620 Idylwyld Dr. North, Unit 4 Saskatoon, SK	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Jungle Juice Platinum Poppers	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was labelled to contain alkyl nitrites	Lil’ Devil Adult Video & Toys 1620 Idylwyld Dr. North, Unit 4 Saskatoon, SK	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Jungle Juice Platinum Black Poppers	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was labelled to contain alkyl nitrites	Lil’ Devil Adult Video & Toys 1620 Idylwyld Dr. North, Unit 4 Saskatoon, SK	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Rush Poppers	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was labelled to contain alkyl nitrites	Lil’ Devil Adult Video & Toys 1620 Idylwyld Dr. North, Unit 4 Saskatoon, SK	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Super Rush Poppers	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was labelled to contain alkyl nitrites	Lil’ Devil Adult Video & Toys 1620 Idylwyld Dr. North, Unit 4 Saskatoon, SK	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Alien Power Platinum 11000 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain tadalafil	Forbidden Pleasures 1268 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Master Zone 1500 (blue and gold capsules) Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil	Forbidden Pleasures 1268 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
ResERECTION! (Blister) Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil	Forbidden Pleasures 1268 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
ResERECTION! (Bottle) Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil	Forbidden Pleasures 1268 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Rhino Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain aminotadalafil	Forbidden Pleasures 1268 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Super Panther 7K Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Forbidden Pleasures 1268 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Triple Green Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Forbidden Pleasures 1268 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
VIP GO Rhino Gold 69K Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe bark extract	Forbidden Pleasures 1268 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
7k Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Time Square Convenience 105 Front St. East, Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
3800 Hard Rock Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Time Square Convenience 105 Front St. East, Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Lollipop Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain sildenafil, tadalafil and yohimbine	St. James Town Gifts & Variety 106-240 Wellesley St. East, Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
3800 Hard Rock Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	St. James Town Gifts & Variety 106-240 Wellesley St. East, Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Black Panther #1 Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	St. James Town Gifts & Variety 106-240 Wellesley St. East, Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Rhino 7 Platinum 5000 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain sildenafil and yohimbine	St. James Town Gifts & Variety 106-240 Wellesley St. East, Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Super Panther 7k Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	St. James Town Gifts & Variety 106-240 Wellesley St. East, Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
XXLANT 3000 Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	St. James Town Gifts & Variety 106-240 Wellesley St. East, Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Black Panther 200k Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was labelled to contain yohimbe	St. James Town Gifts & Variety 106-240 Wellesley St. East, Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
3800 Hard Rock Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	One More Convenience 21 Howard St., Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
7k Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	One More Convenience 21 Howard St., Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Black Panther #1 Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	One More Convenience 21 Howard St., Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Magnum Male Sexual enhancement XXL Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging tested by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration was found to contain tadalafil	One More Convenience 21 Howard St., Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Rhino 25 Platinum 25000 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was labelled to contain yohimbe	One More Convenience 21 Howard St., Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Stiff Rox Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain sildenafil and tadalafil	One More Convenience 21 Howard St., Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
XXLANT 3000 Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	One More Convenience 21 Howard St., Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
3800 Hard Rock Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Corner Convenience Store 491 Parliament St., Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Black Mamba Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Corner Convenience Store 491 Parliament St., Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Ginseng Red 2000 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain sildenafil	Corner Convenience Store 491 Parliament St., Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Black Stallion Platinum 30k Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Corner Convenience Store 491 Parliament St., Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Premium Pro Power 3500 Sexual enhancement	Labelled to contain yohimbe	Corner Convenience Store 491 Parliament St., Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Rhino 7 Platinum 5000 Sexual enhancement	Product with similar packaging (previously seized) was tested and found to contain sildenafil and yohimbine	Corner Convenience Store 491 Parliament St., Toronto, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Gold Lion Gold Label 3000mg Sexual enhancement	Product tested by Health Canada and found to contain hydroxythiohomosildenafil	Hespeler Road Adult Superstore 261 Hespeler Rd., Cambridge, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
Jaguar 30000 Sexual enhancement	Product tested by Health Canada and found to contain tadalafil	Hespeler Road Adult Superstore 261 Hespeler Rd., Cambridge, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
MV7 Days Power Gummy Sexual enhancement	Product tested by Health Canada and found to contain tadalafil	Hespeler Road Adult Superstore 261 Hespeler Rd., Cambridge, ON	Seized from the retail location	January 9, 2020
MYO-CARD Workout supplement	Labelled to contain cardarine GW-501516	Lethbridge Supplements & Vitamins 1406 3rd Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB	Seized from the retail location	December 9, 2019
MYO-HER Workout supplement	Labelled to contain ostarine MK-2866	Lethbridge Supplements & Vitamins 1406 3rd Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB	Seized from the retail location	December 9, 2019
MYO-HGH Workout supplement	Labelled to contain MK-677	Lethbridge Supplements & Vitamins 1406 3rd Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB	Seized from the retail location	December 9, 2019
MYO-LGD Workout supplement	Labelled to contain ligandrol LGD-4033	Lethbridge Supplements & Vitamins 1406 3rd Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB	Seized from the retail location	December 9, 2019
MYO-S4 Workout supplement	Labelled to contain andarine	Lethbridge Supplements & Vitamins 1406 3rd Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB	Seized from the retail location	December 9, 2019
MYO-STA Workout supplement	Labelled to contain ostarine MK-2866	Lethbridge Supplements & Vitamins 1406 3rd Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB	Seized from the retail location	December 9, 2019
MYO-RAD Workout supplement	Labelled to contain RAD 140 testolone	Lethbridge Supplements & Vitamins 1406 3rd Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB	Seized from the retail location	December 9, 2019
MYO-TKO Total Knock-Out Workout supplement	Labelled to contain ostarine MK-2866	Lethbridge Supplements & Vitamins 1406 3rd Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB	Seized from the retail location	December 9, 2019
MYO-YK Workout supplement	Labelled to contain YK-11 myostine	Lethbridge Supplements & Vitamins 1406 3rd Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB	Seized from the retail location	December 9, 2019
Psychotic Workout supplement	Labelled to contain rauwolfia vomitoria extract (std. min. 90% alpha yohimbine)	Lethbridge Supplements & Vitamins 1406 3rd Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB	Seized from the retail location	December 9, 2019