Unauthorized health products seized from three herbal medicine stores in Calgary, Alberta

Canada News Wire

OTTAWA, Ontario, April 22, 2022

OTTAWA (ON), April 22, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ –

Summary

• Product: Unauthorized skin cream, eye ointment and sexual enhancement tablets seized from three herbal medicine shops in Calgary, AB.

• Publish: Unauthorized products can pose serious health risks.

• What to do: Do not use these products. Consult a healthcare practitioner if you have used any of these products and have health concerns.

Publish

Health Canada warns consumers not to use unauthorized health products seized from three herbal medicine stores in Calgary, AB, as they are labeled as containing prescription drugs and may pose serious health risks. Products include skin creams, eye ointments and sexual enhancement tablets.

Sell ​​unauthorized health products in Canada is illegal. Unauthorized health products have not been approved by Health Canada, which means they have not been evaluated for their safety, effectiveness and quality and may pose a range of serious risks to health. For example, they may contain high-risk ingredients, such as prescription drugs, additives, or contaminants that may or may not be listed on the label. These ingredients could interact with other medications and foods. Additionally, the product may not contain the active ingredients that Canadians expect it to contain to help maintain and improve their health.

Prescription drugs should only be used under the advice and supervision of a healthcare professional, as they are used to treat specific conditions and can cause serious side effects. Prescription drugs can only be legally sold on prescription.

If new health risks are identified, Health Canada will take action and inform Canadians as needed. Health Canada maintains a listing of certain unauthorized health products that may pose serious health risks so that Canadians can easily identify those they may have purchased and take appropriate action. Canadians are encouraged to check regularly for updates.

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Affected Products

what you should do

• Do not use these products. Consult a healthcare practitioner if you have used any of these products and have health concerns.

• 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 Medicine Number (DIN-HM). You can also check if the products have been authorized for sale by searching the Pharmaceuticals Database and Licensed Natural Health Products Database.

• Report any related health products Side effects or complaints at Health Canada.

Background

Dexamethasone is a prescription corticosteroid medication used to treat various inflammatory conditions. It has not been approved for use in creams in Canada. Common side effects of topical corticosteroids include skin redness, burning sensation, change in skin pigmentation, thinning of the skin, inflammation of hair follicles, stretch marks, changes in skin blood vessels (eg. varicosities) and skin atrophy (e.g. fragile skin with reduced elasticity). Dexamethasone, when absorbed through the skin, can cause side effects throughout the body, especially when used over a large area and for a long time. This risk is higher in children, who may absorb proportionately larger amounts and be more susceptible to side effects. Systemic side effects may include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, blurred vision, irregular heartbeat, weakness, and swelling. Dexamethasone is generally not recommended during pregnancy.

Erythromycin Eye ointment is an antibacterial prescription medication used to treat bacterial eye infections. Side effects include hives and rashes. Rare but serious side effects include a severe allergic reaction, with symptoms such as swelling of the face, mouth, throat, lips, eyes, difficulty breathing, burning and/or painful red eyes, tearing and skin reactions (rash, blisters and hives). ). It is important to use this ointment exactly as directed. Misuse or overuse could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by erythromycin, which means that it may not work in the future (resistance).

Tadalafil is a prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner. It should not be used by people taking nitrate medicines (eg nitroglycerin) as it can cause life-threatening hypotension. People with heart problems are at increased risk for cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythm. Other possible side effects include headache, flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision, and hearing loss.

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SOURCE Health Canada