Warning Issued Over Herbal Slimming Products

– A warning has been issued over several herbal slimming products that can cause serious side effects. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has received safety warnings and alerts from health agencies in Sweden, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and the US over a number of products, which can be bought from overseas-based websites.

Instant Slim, Acai Berry ABC, Slimline Soft Gel, Hygia Fit, Sport Burner, Health Slimming Coffee, Instant Slim, 3X Slimming Powder, Li D Daidaihua and Botanical Slimming all contain sibutramine. This drug is a prescription-only substance that was used to treat obesity, but was withdrawn across Europe because its use increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Other herbal slimming products have also been found to contain at least one undeclared substance such as sibutramine and/or phenolphthalein.

Phenolphthalein is a solution that is used in chemical experiments and has previously been used as an ingredient for laxative products. It is also suspected that Phenolphthalein is a cancer causing agent.

Products that contain these include Celerite Slimming Tea, Pink Lady for Women Capsules, St Nirvana Herbal Slimming capsules and Pro-Trim 8 Slimming Effects (All in One) – For Young Women; Pro-Trim 8 Slimming Effects (All in One) – For Older Women; and Leptin HCA Weight Loss Milk Tea.

Richard Woodfield, MHRA group manager for herbal medicines policy, said: “People often assume that because herbal medicines and products contain natural extracts they are automatically safe but this is not the case. No medicine or product is risk free.

“We urge people not to take any slimming medicines or products bought online without consulting with a pharmacist or doctor as they risk being supplied with medicines that are not safe or not suitable for them to use.”

He said consumers should look for products that bear the Traditional Herbal Registration logo because they will have been assessed and quality checked to ensure that they are safe to use.

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