Health alert: The Department of Health advises people not to buy or use Conting Qianweisu Slimming Herbs Capsule.

Consumers are advised to avoid slimming product Conting Qianweisu Slimming Herbs Capsule, which contains the drug sibutramine. The product is not registered under the Pharmacy & Poisons Ordinance.

The Department of Health said sibutramine is used as an appetite suppressant. It can cause increased blood pressure and heart rate. People with heart disease should not take it.

The department purchased a sample of the product for investigation after receiving a public enquiry on its safety. Upon laboratory analysis, the product was found to contain sibutramine.

The department has no record of the product being imported into Hong Kong for sale.

Anyone who has it should dispose of it or submit it to the Department of Health's Pharmaceutical Service, 3/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon, during office hours.