UAE | Health
FDA warns consumers against 28 banned herbal drugs
People seeking to lose the weight they gain from the gluttony that usually accompanies the holidays should not turn to herbal weight-loss drugs, which can be dangerous, health officials warn.
- By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:29 December 24, 2008
- Image Credit:
- Image used for illustrative purpose only.
Dubai: People seeking to lose the weight they gain from the gluttony that usually accompanies the holidays should not turn to herbal weight-loss drugs, which can be dangerous, health officials warn.
The US Food and Drug Administration warned consumers against 28 herbal weight-loss products that contain undeclared medicines. The products are not sold in the UAE but can be purchased on the Internet.
One of the drugs listed, Phyto Shape, was withdrawn from UAE pharmacies last year for containing sibutramine, a controlled substance affecting the brain.
Dr. Mohammad Abu Al Khair, Head of Pharma/Medicine and Medical Products Regulation Section at the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HA-AD), said people should not buy drugs on the internet.
"People should take anything that claims to be 100 per cent natural with a pinch of salt. Fifty per cent of all medicines over the internet typically have undeclared active ingredients," he said.
"People should buy registered products from pharmacies and within the country," he said, adding that they were safer.
Dr. Amita Attlee, assistant professor in clinical nutrition at Sharjah University, told Gulf News people would be better off losing weight the old-fashioned way than using pills.
"It's best to do it the natural way, through diet and activity. People need to create negative energy balance, either by taking in less food or increasing energy expenditure by exercising," she said.
List of dangerous drugs:
- Fatloss Slimming
- Japan Lingzhi 24 Hours Diet
- 7 Day Herbal Slim
- 999 Fitness Essence
- Imelda Perfect Slim
- Perfect Slim
- ProSlim Plus
- Slim Express 360
- Superslim
- Venom Hyperdrive 3.0
- 2 Day Diet
- 5x Imelda Perfect Slimming
- 8 Factor Diet
- Extrim Plus
- Lida DaiDaihua
- Perfect Slim 5x
Latest news
- Dubai number plates auction raises Dh27m
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
- Transfusion centre launches new toll free number
- Smart e-Gate system launched
- Cyber infidelity creeping out of virtual domain
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
