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One of the drugs listed, Phyto Shape, was withdrawn from UAE pharmacies last year for containing sibutramine, a controlled substance affecting the brain.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 Police deny reports of Burj Khalifa fire
- New road eases traffic problems in Dubai
- Abu Dhabi hosts strong man contest
- Farmers to be taught techniques to improve yield
- Keep recycling bins open
- UAE's first home-grown unmanned aerial vehicle
- Telling stories with sand
- President of Wollongong varsity about his plans
- Challenging role in Libya
- Parachuting event promises rich fare
- UAE ministry backs efficacy of Tas'heel system
- UAE students on research trip to Antarctica
- Brothers held in Sharjah for possessing heroin
- Fund drive for displaced Syrians launched
- FNC has kept pace with development — Al Murr
Community Reports
-
Keep recycling bins open
People should be allowed to do their part as the world moves towards a greener future
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
