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The Department of Health (DH) today (February 1) appealed to members of the public not to buy or consume a slimming product called Brazilian Slimming Coffee as it was found to contain an undeclared and banned drug ingredient that is dangerous to health.
The appeal followed the DH's receipt of notification from the Hospital Authority (HA) about a 33-year-old female patient who had a history of consuming the above slimming product. The DH commenced investigation immediately.
"The patient attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital on January 17 because of having headache, insomnia and psychiatric symptoms of persecutory delusion and auditory hallucination. She was transferred to Kwai Chung Hospital for treatment on January 18. She described a history of consumption of the above slimming product. Sibutramine and sibutramine metabolites were detected in her urine sample. Thus, the clinical diagnosis of a drug-related adverse event was made. She was discharged from hospital on January 30 after treatment," a DH spokesperson said.
The HA's laboratory test on the product sample submitted by the patient showed the presence of sibutramine, which was undeclared and is a banned Western medicine. The patient claimed that the product was purchased from a grocery shop in Tsuen Wan. The DH's investigation is continuing.
"Sibutramine is a Part I poison and was once a Western medicine used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, products containing sibutramine have been banned because of an increased cardiovascular risk," the spokesperson explained.
The spokesperson strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or consume products from unknown sources.
"People who have purchased the above product should stop using it immediately and consult health-care professionals as soon as possible if they are in doubt or feeling unwell after using the product concerned. They can submit it to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal," the spokesman urged.
Weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public must consult health-care professionals before using any medication for weight control," the spokesman added.
Ends/Friday, February 1, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:33
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