Public advisory

Unauthorized workout supplements may pose serious health risks

Last updated

Summary

Product
Various unauthorized health products promoted as a workout aid
Issue
Health products - Unauthorized product
What to do

Stop using these products and consult your health care professional if you have health concerns. Report these or any unauthorized health products to Health Canada.

Affected products

Unauthorized workout products
Photo Product Hazard Identified Company Action Taken Date Added
5% Knocked the Fck Out (Apple Cider) 5% Knocked the Fck Out (Apple Cider) Labelled to contain L-tryptophan Smash Supplements
124B 1st St W
Brooks, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-12-13
5% Knocked the Fck Out (Hot Chocolate) 5% Knocked the Fck Out (Hot Chocolate) Labelled to contain L-tryptophan Smash Supplements
124B 1st St W
Brooks, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-12-13
Axe & Sledge – The Grind (Big Melons) Axe & Sledge – The Grind (Big Melons) Labelled to contain L-tryptophan Smash Supplements
124B 1st St W
Brooks, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-12-13
Axe & Sledge – The Grind (Ice Blue Raspberry) Axe & Sledge – The Grind (Ice Blue Raspberry) Labelled to contain L-tryptophan Smash Supplements
124B 1st St W
Brooks, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-12-13
Axe & Sledge – The Grind (Ice Cherry) Axe & Sledge – The Grind (Ice Cherry) Labelled to contain L-tryptophan Smash Supplements
124B 1st St W
Brooks, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-12-13
5150 Stim Crazy Pre Workout 5150 Stim Crazy Pre Workout Labelled to contain rauvolfia (yohimbine) Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
Iron Brothers Supplements Thermo Burn Iron Brothers Supplements Thermo Burn Labelled to contain yohimbine Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
Insane Labz Psychotic Fruit Punch Insane Labz Psychotic – Fruit Punch Labelled to contain rauwolfia vomitoria extract (std. min. 90% alpha yohimbine) Gym Rat Supplements & Apparel
8761 84 St. Unit 101
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-05-18
Insane Labz Psychotic – Cherry Bomb Labelled to contain rauwolfia vomitoria extract (std. min. 90% alpha yohimbine) Gym Rat Supplements & Apparel
8761 84 St. Unit 101
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-05-18
Killer Labz Stim Reaper – Orange Mango Killer Labz Stim Reaper –
Orange Mango
Labelled to contain rauwolscine (rauwolfia vomitoria extract) (rauwolscine is also known as yohimbine) Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
Killer Labz Stim Reaper – Furious Punch Killer Labz Stim Reaper –
Furious Punch
Labelled to contain rauwolscine (rauwolfia vomitoria extract) (rauwolscine is also known as yohimbine) Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
Killer Labz Stim Reaper – American Pop Killer Labz Stim Reaper – American Pop Labelled to contain rauwolscine (rauwolfia vomitoria extract) (rauwolscine is also known as yohimbine) Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
Killer Labz Stim Reaper – Blue Raspberry Killer Labz Stim Reaper – Blue Raspberry Labelled to contain rauwolscine (rauwolfia vomitoria extract) (rauwolscine is also known as yohimbine) Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
Killer Labz Stim Reaper – Watermelon Killer Labz Stim Reaper – Watermelon Labelled to contain rauwolscine (rauwolfia vomitoria extract) (rauwolscine is also known as yohimbine) Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
MYO-HGH MYO-HGH Labelled to contain ibutamoren (MK-677) Gym Rat Supplements & Apparel
8761 84 St. Unit 101
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-05-18
MYO-RAD MYO-RAD Labelled to contain testolone (RAD-140) Gym Rat Supplements & Apparel
8761 84 St. Unit 101
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-05-18
MYO-RAD RAD 140 Testolone MYO-RAD RAD 140 Testolone Labelled to contain RAD-140 testolone Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
MYO-YK MYO-YK Labelled to contain myostine (YK-11) Gym Rat Supplements & Apparel
8761 84 St. Unit 101
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-05-18
Nutrifitt Carnage Pre-Workout Nutrifitt Carnage Pre-Workout Labelled to contain yohimbine and rauwolfia (rauwolfia vomitoria) extract Gym Rat Supplements &amo; Apparel
8761 84 St. Unit 101
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-05-18
NutriFitt Serum Pre Workout NutriFitt Serum Pre Workout Labelled to contain yohimbine and rauwolfia Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
Predator Labs GW501516 Cardarine Predator Labs GW501516 Cardarine Labelled to contain cardarine (GW501516) Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
Predator Labs MK-2866 Ostarine Predator Labs MK-2866 Ostarine Labelled to contain ostarine (MK 2866) Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
Predator Labs MK-677 Ibutamoren Predator Labs MK-677 Ibutamoren Labelled to contain ibutamoren (MK-667) Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
Predator Labs YK-11 MYO-X Predator Labs YK-11 MYO-X Labelled to contain myostine (YK-11) Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
Proctor Laboratories MK677 Proctor Laboratories MK677 Labelled to contain ibutamoren (MK-667) Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
Proctor Laboratories RAD 140 Proctor Laboratories RAD 140 Labelled to contain testolone (RAD-140) Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
Raw Burn Raw Burn Labelled to contain yohimbine Gym Rat Supplements & Apparel
8761 84 St. Unit 101
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-05-18
Thermal Caffeine Albuterol Yohimbine Thermal Caffeine Albuterol Yohimbine Labelled to contain albuterol (salbutamol) and yohimbine Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
Yohimbine HCl Yohimbine HCl Labelled to contain yohimbine Lethbridge Supplements and Vitamins
#2 1406 3 Ave S
Lethbridge, AB
Seized from the retail location 2023-03-22
Yohimbine HCl Yohimbine HCl Labelled to contain yohimbine Gym Rat Supplements & Apparel
8761 84 St. Unit 101
Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-05-18
MS Pro Burn Yohimbine HCL MS Pro Burn Yohimbine HCL Labelled to contain yohimbine Smash Supplements
124B 1st Street
Brooks, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-05-18
NutriFitt Carnage Advanced High Stim Pre Workout Grape Candy NutriFitt Carnage Advanced High Stim Pre Workout Grape Candy Labelled to contain yohimbine and rauwolfia Smash Supplements
124B 1st Street
Brooks, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-05-18
NutriFitt Symbiote High Stim Pre Workout White Out NutriFitt Symbiote High Stim Pre Workout White Out Labelled to contain yohimbine and rauwolfia Smash Supplements
124B 1st Street
Brooks, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-05-18
NutriFitt Symbiote High Stim Pre Workout Dragon Gummy NutriFitt Symbiote High Stim Pre Workout Dragon Gummy Labelled to contain yohimbine and rauwolfia Smash Supplements
124B 1st Street
Brooks, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-05-18
NutriFitt Symbiote High Stim Pre Workout Maniacal Melon NutriFitt Symbiote High Stim Pre Workout Maniacal Melon Labelled to contain yohimbine and rauwolfia Smash Supplements
124B 1st Street
Brooks, AB
Seized from retail location 2023-05-18

Issue

Health Canada is advising about unauthorized workout products that may pose serious health risks. The products are labelled to contain or have been tested and found to contain dangerous ingredients. Health Canada updates the table when it finds unauthorized health products promoted as a workout aid. 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 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 the public can easily identify products they may have purchased and take appropriate action. You 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

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 the public. This includes working with the Canada Border Services Agency to help prevent further importation of unauthorized products.

Additional information

Background

L-tryptophan is a prescription drug at doses higher than 220 mg per day. At prescription doses, this medication should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional because of the higher risk of serious side effects and harmful drug interactions. L-tryptophan is prescribed in Canada for use in combination with antidepressants for patients with depressive disorders. Side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, headache, and sexual problems. In rare cases, serotonin syndrome has been reported when L-tryptophan was taken with other drugs, including some that affect the central nervous system. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening reaction with symptoms that include high body temperature, agitation, sweating, rapid heart rate and high blood pressure, muscle rigidity, confusion and seizures.

Cardarine (also known as GW501516 and GW1516), ibutamoren (MK-677) and stenabolic (SR-9009) are not authorized in Canada for any use and may pose serious health risks. All clinical development 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.

Rauwolfia (also known as rauvolfia) is a prescription drug that is not authorized for sale in Canada. Rauwolfia 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  people.

Salbutamol (also known as albuterol) in oral format is a prescription drug currently not marketed in Canada. It is used to treat wheezing and shortness of breath caused by breathing problems (such as asthma). Its most common side effects are nervousness and tremor. Other side effects include headache, nausea, and increased heart rate. Overdose may lead to serious side effects such as reduced blood potassium levels and abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). The safety of oral salbutamol in pregnancy or breastfeeding is unknown. Oral salbutamol may interfere with uterine contractions during labour and delivery.

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 (LGD-4033), myostine (YK-11), and testolone (RAD-140).

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 people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, those who have liver, heart, or kidney disease (especially people with a history of stomach or intestinal ulcers), or by people with psychiatric conditions.

Details
Original published date:
Alert / recall type
Public advisory
Category
Health products - Drugs
Companies
Published by
Health Canada
Audience
General public
Identification number
RA-73367
Media and public enquiries

Media enquiries
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca

Public enquiries
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
info@hc-sc.gc.ca

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