Health Canada has seized unauthorized sex enhancement products from retail stores in B.C. and Alberta because they pose serious health risks.
The federal department issued the safety advisory on Thursday (March 28), which includes a store in Maple Ridge and several retail locations in Edmonton, AB.
A product called libigrow XXXTREME 200K Sexual enhancement has been seized from the E-Senuals retail store located at 22772 Lougheed Hwy in Maple Ridge. The product is labelled to contain a drug called yohimbine, which is a prescription drug that should be used under the supervision of a health care professional.
"Yohimbine is derived from yohimbe, a bark extract. The use of yohimbine or yohimbe may result in serious adverse reactions particularly in people with high blood pressure, or heart, kidney or liver disease. Side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety, dizziness, tremors, headache, nausea and sleep disorders. It should not be used by children, or pregnant or nursing women," explains Health Canada.
The various unauthorized health products are promoted for sexual enhancement but they may pose serious health risks. Some of the possible risks include:
- 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 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.
The advisory comes after numerous other safety notifications from Health Canada, which warn of similar risks.
What you should do
- Stop using the products. 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.
Find out more information with Health Canada.
