Canadians should not use certain acai berry products because they contain traces of a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction, Health Canada says.
The undeclared prescription drug, known as sildenafil, may cause serious side effects in some people, and should only be used under medical supervision, according to a press release Tuesday.
Health Canada says a large number of shipments of the impure acai berry products, which are advertised as promoting anti-aging and weight loss, were stopped at the border. It adds that the products are not authorized for sale in Canada, but may have been brought into the country by travellers, or purchased over the Internet.
- The banned products include:
- Anti-Aging Acai Berry
- Guarana Blast
- Brazilian Pure
- Anti-aging Vital Rez V
- Weight Loss VitalAcai
- Dietary Supplement Acai Power Blast
- Muscle Mass
Health Canada recommends that Canadians who have used these products, and are concerned about their health, should consult medical professionals.
Widely marketed under the brand name Viagra, sildenafil should not be used by people taking nitrate drugs such as nitroglycerine. Taken together, the drugs can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure.
Individuals with heart problems are also warned against consuming sildenafil, as it puts them at a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure. Other side effects include headaches, indigestion and hearing loss.
Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have identification numbers on the label, indicating that Health Canada has assessed them for safety, effectiveness and quality, and that they are safe to buy.
