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22 slimming products pulled over banned sibutramine

Responsible for this content: Frank Menze

Twenty-two slimming products are being pulled from sale after tests found sibutramine, a substance not authorised in the European Union. Spain’s medicines agency, the AEMPS, ordered the withdrawal in Madrid on 2 September. The products were marketed as natural, but their labels did not disclose the ingredient.

AEMPS retira varios productos adelgazantes al tener sibutramina y no estar autorizada en UE por efectos adversos graves
Europa Press

The action followed a report by the Consumer, Environment and Doping Section of the Judicial Police’s General Commissariat, as part of Operation Triki. The AEMPS said its Official Medicines Control Laboratory detected sibutramine in every product tested.

Products sold as natural

The withdrawal covers Slim U, Slim U Pro, P57 Hoodia, Bikini Siluet Perfect, Slim 24, 14 Día, Fatzorb, AB Slim, Get Lean, Slimina, Burn and Slim, Body Slim, Black Panther, Aphrodite Thermoslim Coffe, Aphrodite Plus, Aphrodite LipoDetox, Aphrodite Green Plus, Aphrodite Forte Plus, Aphrodite Forte, Li Da Ultra, Pineapple Slimming Peptide and Pezo Mega.

Fatzorb, AB Slim, Get Lean, Slimina, Burn and Slim, Body Slim and Black Panther also contained phenolphthalein. The AEMPS said the undisclosed ingredients mean the products must be treated as medicines, despite not having been assessed or authorised by the agency.

Risks to the heart and blood pressure

Sibutramine suppresses appetite, creates a feeling of fullness and raises calorie use. But it can also increase heart rate and blood pressure. The AEMPS cited recorded cases of irregular heartbeat, ischaemic heart disease and serious vascular incidents.

Possible side effects also include dry mouth, headaches, insomnia and constipation, while the substance can interact with many other medicines. Sibutramine was previously used in prescription obesity treatments, but its sale in the EU was suspended because of cardiovascular risks.

Phenolphthalein is a stimulant laxative. The AEMPS warned that it can cause excessive fluid and electrolyte loss, intestinal protein loss, hypocalcaemia and poor nutrient absorption.

Topics: Police · Health · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com