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Health Canada Health products

Unauthorized products may pose serious health risks (June 16, 2022 to February 10, 2023)

Issued February 10, 2023
Issue
Health Canada is advising about unauthorized health products that may pose serious health risks. The table is updated when Health Canada finds unauthorized health products that are promoted for sexual enhancement, weight loss, as a workout aid, as "popper" or for lightening skin or treating skin conditions (such as eczema or psoriasis). These products 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 people 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 .
Hazard description
Unauthorized product
What to do
Stop using the products listed in the table . 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 these helpful links for additional information on buying health products safely: Buying drugs over the Internet Adulteration of natural health products Risks of buying natural health products online The safe use of health products for weight loss
Product
Product name
Various unauthorized health products promoted for sexual enhancement, weight loss, as a workout aid, as "poppers", or for lightening skin or treating skin conditions (such as eczema or psoriasis).
Reference
ID
RA-78101