Authority warns against dangerous slimming pills

Authorities warn against dangerous slimming pills

15.04.2011

The State Investigation Office (LUA) Rheinland-Pfalz warns against slimming pills with dangerous side effects. The slimming tablets distributed over the internet „Reduce Weight Fruta Planta“ contain the drug Sibutramin banned in the EU, communicated the provincial investigation office in Koblenz.

Again and again appear on the Internet supposed weight loss pills, which should help without great effort to a top figure. Most of the articles are advertised as pure natural products and conceal possible side effects. So had in the case of slimming pills „Reduce weight Fruta Planta“, which the state investigation office Rhineland-Palatinate now warns, the manufacturer advertised with natural ingredients, concealed the active ingredient sibutramine however. When used threaten massive side effects, such as severe increases in blood pressure or heart disease, said the LUA.

Weight loss pills advertise with natural ingredients
The slimming pills were confiscated by the customs office Trier and transferred to the LUA for investigation. On the packaging the slimming agents advertised „Reduce weight Fruta Planta“ With „100 percent pure nature“ , as ingredients exotic fruits such as lime, papaya or the fruit of the Noni tree were specified. When investigating the LUA, however, it turned out that, contrary to the declaration on the packaging, the slimming pills actually contained the substance sibutramine, which is not authorized in the EU.

Dangerous side effects of the drug sibutramine
The active substance sibutramine contained in the slimming pills was licensed in Europe until the beginning of 2010 under the supervision of a physician for the treatment of obesity. However, several studies have pointed to serious side effects of the drug, so that the sibutramine-containing drugs with the brand name „Reductil“ both in the US and in Europe were taken off the market. The approval for the active substance sibutramine rests. Symptoms such as headache, dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, feelings of numbness, hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias have been reported as possible side effects in several studies. In addition, sibutramine can cause acute heart disease and concomitant use of psychotropic drugs (antidepressants, antipsychotics) threaten dangerous interactions, warned the LUA. Also, patients with hyperthyroidism, angina pectoris, sleep disorders, hypertension, epilepsy, cardiac arrhythmia and disorders of liver and kidney function should never use sibutramine, as massive side effects may result. There have also been deaths from the side effects of sibutramine, the LUA said.

Dangerous slimming pills with changing names
Although the trade in sibutramine-containing slimming pills is banned in Germany and the sale is punishable, the weight loss pills are offered on the Internet again and again under changing names, explained the LUA. The unsuspecting consumer will like to promise „100 percent natural ingredients“ deceived and posed a significant health risk when used. It is therefore urgently recommended not to buy such products via the Internet, especially if the promised effects seem to be as utopian as they are „Reduce weight Fruta Planta“ Slimming pills. (Fp)

Also read:
Warning of harmful diet pills
Slimming drugs stopped
Study shows: a lot of protein helps to lose weight
Diet in Naturopathy

Image: Juliane Drechsel