Spain issues urgent recall for 22 slimming products linked to heart problems

If you have bought a natural weight-loss aid in Spain in recent months, it could be worth checking what you have been taking. Twenty-two slimming products have been found to contain an undeclared drug linked to serious cardiovascular problems. The products contain sibutramine, an appetite-suppressing drug previously used in prescription medicines for obesity.

Its use in the European Union was suspended because of serious cardiovascular side effects, yet the substance was not listed on the products’ labels.  Spain’s medicines regulator, the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS), has ordered the sale of all 22 products to be prohibited and every example removed from the market. 

Check your slimming products

The affected weight loss products are the following:

• 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 and Black Panther.

The list also includes Aphrodite Thermoslim Coffe, Aphrodite Plus, Aphrodite LipoDetox, Aphrodite Green Plus, Aphrodite Forte Plus, Aphrodite Forte, Li Da Ultra, Pineapple Slimming Peptide and Pezo Mega.  Laboratory tests carried out by the AEMPS Official Laboratory for Medicines Control found sibutramine in all 22 products. The products were presented as natural slimming products, but the ingredient responsible for the health concerns was not declared on their packaging.

The drug was hidden inside

Sibutramine suppresses appetite and produces a feeling of fullness, while also increasing energy expenditure. It can also increase heart rate and blood pressure. AEMPS says cases of arrhythmias, ischaemic heart disease and serious cerebrovascular events have been recorded in connection with its use. Other reported adverse effects include dry mouth, headaches, insomnia and constipation.  The substance can also interact with a number of other medicines.

Sibutramine was previously used in prescription medicines for the treatment of obesity. Its marketing in the European Union was suspended after its use was associated with serious cardiovascular adverse effects.  That means someone buying one of these products as a slimming supplement could have been taking an active drug without knowing it was there.

Seven contain another substance

Seven of the products contain a second undeclared ingredient: phenolphthalein, they are Fatzorb, AB Slim, Get Lean, Slimina, Burn and Slim, Body Slim and Black Panther. Phenolphthalein is a stimulant laxative. It increases intestinal movement and reduces the absorption of water and electrolytes.

AEMPS warns that excessive exposure can lead to loss of fluids and electrolytes, intestinal protein loss, low calcium levels and malabsorption caused by excessive intestinal activity.  The presence of phenolphthalein also means these seven products legally have the status of medicines, despite never having been assessed or authorised by AEMPS, neither of the two substances was declared on the products’ labels.

How the products were found

The case came to the attention of the authorities through the Consumer Affairs, Environment and Doping Section of the General Commissariat of Judicial Police, as part of Operation Triki.

The products were subsequently analysed by the AEMPS laboratory, which confirmed their composition. The agency has classified the products as illegal medicines and ordered their sale to be prohibited and all examples withdrawn from the market. 

What to do if you have one

If you have bought or are taking any of the products listed above, check the name against the AEMPS warning and do not continue taking them. Anyone who is concerned about having taken one of the products should speak to a healthcare professional, particularly if they have experienced symptoms listed above or are taking other medicines along with them.

AEMPS published the withdrawal notice on Wednesday, September 2, with images of all 22 products to help consumers identify them