Dubai: The municipality's health and public safety department is warning the public against buying or using a Chinese slimming tea sold at Dragon Mart, in Dubai.
Municipality officials said the "Paiyouji Plus" tea has been withdrawn from the market as it has side effects that causes severe heart problems. The tea has a direct effect on the heart and arteries, municipality staff said.
The municipality is urging the public not to use the tea if they have it at home and if anyone sees it for sale they are urged to inform the municipality immediately.
Dubai Municipality staff said the tea contained sibutramine which is banned by the European Medicines Agency because it can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Municipality staff said the tea had been seen for sale only at Dragon Mart but if members of the public spot it anywhere else they are urged to contact the municipality.
Sibutramine is described as an appetite suppressant that has been available in the European Union since 1999. It is a weight loss drug that has been approved for the treatment of obesity, and for patients who also have other obesity-related diseases.
Sibutramine is marketed under different brand names in different countries, including Reductil, Meridia, Ectiva, Sibutral, Reduxade and Zelium. The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use in Europe, recommended the suspension of marketing authorisation for sibutramine within Europe.
The decision followed a safety review of data that indicated sibutramine was associated with health risks, namely serious cardiovascular events such as strokes or heart attacks. As a consequence, the agency's advisory committee said it believed that the benefits of sibutramine no longer outweighed the product's risks.
A leaflet supplied with the tea states it is only suitable for adults aged over 18 years. It also warns it should not be taken by anyone suffering from any heart, circulatory or respiratory conditions.
Contact
Public can call the municipality on the toll free number 800900
