June 07, 2013

The Department of Health appeals to people not to buy or consume two products - 4C Cosmoslim and LV Shou Reduces Fat - as they may contain undeclared and banned Western drug ingredients.
 
The appeal follows notification from the Hospital Authority of a case involving a 29-year-old woman who had consumed the two products and attended Kwong Wah Hospital on May 19 for psychiatric symptoms including persecutory delusions and auditory hallucinations. She is now in stable condition.
 
The laboratory results on both products' samples showed the presence of undeclared and banned Western medicines. Sibutramine and phenolphthalein were detected in 4C Cosmoslim while sibutramine was detected in LV Shou Reduces Fat.
 
The patient had purchased the products online.
 
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.
 
People who have purchased these products should stop using them immediately.