The Department of Health has arrested a woman for selling a slimming product with undeclared Western drug ingredients on the Internet.

She was arrested by department officers and Police today in Shek Kip Mei MTR station.

The department issued a warning November 13 reminding people not to take Shou Shen Jiao Guan - Ti Nei Yun Dong Wan which contains sibutramine and phenolphthalein.

The seller possessed another slimming product, and similar items were also found in a nearby residence. Officers believe these products were obtained from a Mainland website and sent to Hong Kong by post.

Sibutramine is a Western medicine used as an appetite suppressant. Its side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, psychosis and possibly convulsion. 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.