Press Release
Public urged not to consume slimming product with undeclared drug ingredients
19 May 2010
Members of the public were today (May 19) urged not to buy or consume a slimming product called "1 Body Beautiful" as it was found to contain undeclared Western drug ingredients that could cause serious side effects.
The appeal followed the investigation into a case of a 29-year-old woman who visited the Accidental and Emergency Department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital complaining about vomiting and dizziness. The patient has already been discharged.
It was found that the woman had a history of taking the above-named slimming product which she purchased from a Mainland website and couriered to Hong Kong. The product is not a registered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong.
Laboratory tests on the product today showed the presence of sibutramine and phenolphthalein.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said the test result on the product was an incidental finding and might not be the cause of the patient's symptoms.
The spokesman said sibutramine is a Western medicine used as an appetite suppressant. Its side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, psychosis and possibly convulsions. People with heart problems should not take it.
Phenolphthalein was once used for treating constipation but has been banned for its cancer-causing effect.
A product containing sibutramine must be registered before it can be sold in Hong Kong. It can be sold only on a doctor's prescription and dispensed under the supervision of a pharmacist.
The spokesman exhorted members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition or doubtful source.
Members of the public should stop using the product immediately. They should consult their doctor if they feel unwell after taking the product.
They should destroy and dispose of the product or submit it to the department's Pharmaceutical Service at 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon, during office hours.
The spokesman said: "Weight control should be achieved through good diet and appropriate exercise. People should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control."
