Health Canada has recently seized several products from a chain of Calgary supplement stores due to the health risk they pose, and some of them have not been approved for sale in Canada.
The seized products contain yohimbine or a combination of ephedrine and caffeine, and are marketed for bodybuilding, weight loss and increased energy or sexual enhancement. The products in question are Nutrex Research Lipo6 Black, Black Hers, Unlimited and Black Ultra Concentrate; West Pharm Xtra Lean, ThermaLean, ThermoMAXXX and Yohimbe Extract; Twinlab Ripped Fuel; and NutraKey Yohimbine HCI.
Yohimbine is a prescription drug that should only be taken with the approval of a health care practitioner. Yohimbine may cause adverse reactions in people with high blood pressure, heart, kidney or liver disease. Yohimbine can cause increased blood pressure and heart rate, anxiety, dizziness, tremors, headache, nausea and sleep disorders.
Ephedrine and caffeine in combination may cause symptoms such as dizziness, tremors, headaches and irregularities in heart rate to such serious symptoms as seizures, psychosis, heart attack and stroke. People with heart conditions, high blood pressure and diabetes are at highest risk.
If these products are on your shelves, please contact Health Canada for more information.
