The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) issued a warning for consumers on Wednesday, advising them to destroy slimming medicines bought online that contain illegal ingredients.
The IMB released a precautionary message on the health dangers of taking any slimming products that contain Sibutramine.
The board warned consumers not to purchase certain slimming products available illegally online, as packs of these products have been found to contain Sibutramine.
Sibutramine was withdrawn from use as a medicine in Ireland and across the entire European Union (EU) in early 2010 due to the increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. The drug is also known to interact with other medicines a person is taking.
The IMB issued a list of 38 online slimming products which still contain the dangerous drug, some of which do not declare it among ingredients on the pack.
Consumers were advised to stop taking these products immediately and contact their doctor with any concerns.
The IMB said it was also possible some of these products contained additional undeclared active ingredients.
Two of the products were found to contain phenolphthalein, a laxative that has not been permitted in medicines for a number of years due to concerns over its potential to cause cancer.
Other health agencies, including those in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and the United States, are also highlighting the dangers of products containing Sibutramine and have issued similar warnings.
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