June 05, 2013

The Department of Health today urged people not to buy or consume two products labelled as Super Fat Burning Bomb and OxyELITE Pro, as they may contain multiple undeclared and banned Western drug ingredients that may be dangerous to health.
 
The appeal followed the receipt of notification of two cases from the Hospital Authority involving two women patients aged 34 and 21.
 
The 34-year-old patient collapsed on May 12 and was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. She described a history of using the Super Fat Burning Bomb slimming product . She is in stable condition.
 
The 21-year-old patient attended the Kwong Wah Hospital on May 29 for acute hepatitis symptoms. She described a history of using the OxyELITE Pro slimming product. She was discharged on June 2.
 
Laboratory test results on both product samples showed the presence of undeclared or banned Western medicines. Sibutramine and phenolphthalein were detected in Super Fat Burning Bomb, while yohimbine was detected in OxyELITE Pro.
 
Sibutramine is a Part I poison. Since November 2010, all products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of an increased cardiovascular risk. Phenolphthalein was once used for treating constipation but has been banned in Hong Kong for its possible cancer-causing effect.
 
Yohimbine, a Part I poison, was sometimes used in the treatment of orthostatic hypotension. Its side-effects include increase in heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, manic reactions and bronchospasm.
 
Anyone who has bought the products should stop using them immediately, and consult doctors if feeling unwell.