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The Department of Health today (September 14) urged people not to buy or use a brand of slimming product called "Hyxenrim" because it was found to contain sibutramine, a Western drug ingredient that may cause side effects.
A department spokesman said a sample of the product had been obtained for investigation after receiving a recent public complaint about the product. The complainant developed side effects such as increased heart rate, cold hands and sleeplessness after consuming the product.
Upon laboratory analysis, the product was found to contain sibutramine, an appetite suppressant which could cause increased blood pressure and heart rate. People with heart diseases should not take it.
The spokesman said the slimming product concerned was not registered in Hong Kong and the department had no record of this product being imported for sale.
The spokesman said under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, products containing sibutramine must be registered before sale and could be sold only on a doctor's prescription and under supervision by a pharmacist.
People who have been using the product are advised to immediately stop taking it. They should seek medical attention if they feel unwell.
"People should control their weight by a balanced diet and adequate physical exercise. Before taking drugs for weight control, they should consult their family doctors," the spokesman said.
Anyone who is in possession of the product should dispose of it or submit it to the department's Pharmaceutical Service on the third floor, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon, during office hours.
Reprinted from HKSAR Government web page:
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200609/14/P200609140225.htm