Unauthorized products being sold in Mississauga, Ont., seized by Health Canada

OTTAWA, June 30, 2015 /CNW/ -

The issue:
Three unauthorized health products that may pose serious risks to the health of Canadians were seized by Health Canada. The products, "Sport X Ephedrine", "DHEA 25" and "Promatrix DHEA 25" were being sold by S&H Health Foods, 2150 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W., Mississauga.

Products affected

1. Sport X Ephedrine
2. DHEA 25mg25
3. Promatrix DHEA 25mg25  

Who is affected:
Consumers who have bought or used "Sport X Ephedrine", "DHEA 25" and "Promatrix DHEA 25".

What consumers should do:

• Consult your doctor if you have used any of these three products and have health concerns.
• Read the label of the products you buy to verify that they have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality. Health products that have been authorized for sale by Health Canada will have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) or a Natural Product Number (NPN) on the label.
• Products that have been authorized for sale can be found by searching the Drug Product Database and the Licensed Natural Health Product Database.
• Report any adverse events to Health Canada.
• Report complaints about health products to Health Canada by calling toll-free to 1-800-267-9675, or complete an online complaint form.

What Health Canada is doing:

Health Canada seized these products from the retailer S&H Health Foods, 2150 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W, Mississauga. Should additional retailers or distributors of these products be identified, Health Canada will take appropriate action and inform Canadians.

Background:

DHEA is a controlled drug that can cause higher than normal levels of female and male hormones in the body and could increase the risk of prostate, breast, ovarian, and other hormone-sensitive cancers. Potential side effects include serious cardiovascular disease, and changes in fertility and sperm production. DHEA should be avoided by individuals with a history of abnormal heart rhythms, blood clotting disorders, liver disease and those who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Use of products containing ephedrine is not recommended in people with heart problems, hypertension, thyroid disease, diabetes, enlarged prostate, anxiety and restlessness, glaucoma (serious eye disorder) and pheochromocytoma (serious gland disorder) because ephedra/ephedrine aggravates these conditions. Consumers should use ephedra/ephedrine products only for the approved indication of nasal decongestion, and should not exceed the maximum allowable dosage described in the ephedra and ephedrine/pseudoephedrine labelling standards, unless this has been recommended by -- and you are under the surveillance of -- a health care practitioner. These products should also be avoided during pregnancy and lactation.

How to report side effects to health products to Health Canada:

• Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
• Visit MedEffect Canada's web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax.

Stay connected with Health Canada and receive the latest advisories and product recalls using social media tools.

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SOURCE Health Canada

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2015/06/30/20150630_C6115_PDF_EN_431665.pdf