Press Release

Public urged not to buy or consume slimming product with undeclared and banned Western drug ingredients

26 March 2014

The Department of Health (DH) today (March 26) appealed to members of the public not to buy or consume a slimming product called LAMI as it is suspected to contain undeclared and banned drug ingredients that might be dangerous to health.

The appeal followed the DH's receipt of notification from the Hospital Authority regarding a 35-year-old female patient who developed psychotic symptoms with a history of consuming the above slimming product. The DH commenced investigation immediately.

"The patient attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Mary Hospital for having abnormal behaviour and auditory hallucination on March 13 and was admitted for treatment on the same day. She was discharged on March 24. She described a history of consuming the above slimming product, which she claimed to have bought locally," a DH spokesman said.

According to the Hospital Authority, samples of the product provided by the patient were found to contain the Part I poisons sibutramine and spironolactone.

The DH's investigation is continuing.

Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of increased cardiovascular risk.

Spironolactone is a prescription drug used in the management of heart failure and should only be used under supervision of a doctor. Side effects include headache, gastrointestinal disturbances, mental confusion and electrolytes imbalance.

Members of the public who have purchased the above product should stop using it immediately. They should consult health-care professionals for advice if feeling unwell or in doubt after using it.

Weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult health-care professionals before using any medication for weight control.

The DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or consume products from unknown sources. People who have purchased the product may submit it to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.