FDA Warns Consumers Not To Use Brazilian Diet Supplements - Emergence Sim and Herbathin Imported From Brazil

January 23rd 2006

Herbathin

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says Emagece Sim and Herbathin diet pills are not safe and could lead to very serious side effects. According to the FDA the dietary supplement Herbathin may contain several active ingredients including controlled substances.

Both supplements are made in Brazil by Fitoterpicos (sometimes spelled Fytoterapicos) and Phytotherm Sim. Consumers are advised not to use the two supplements and return them to their supplier. According to Dr. Steven Galson, Director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, "There are dangers to consumers who purchase diet pills that contain drugs of unknown origin and quality. These products are not approved by FDA and if people experience side effects, it is difficult to trace problems and for physicians to treat them."

Although the pills are labeled as dietary supplements, they contain some prescription drugs including several controlled substances. They contain chlordiazepoxide HCl (the active ingredient in Librium), and fluoxetine HCl (the active ingredient in Prozac). Chlordiazepoxide HCl (Librium) is used to relieve anxiety and to control the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

Fluoxetine HCl (Prozac) is an anti-depressant medication used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and bulimia. The interactions of these drugs can cause drowsiness and dizziness and may impair your ability to drive. They have been linked to suicidal thinking behaviors in pediatric patients, anxiety and insomnia, and abnormal bleeding.

They both were found to contain Fenproporex, a stimulant that is not approved for marketing in the United States. The substance is converted into amphetamine in the body and may cause the patient to show positive signs on amphetamine in the urine.

The products are sold in packages containing one bottle of Formula 1 capsules and one bottle of Formula 2. There are five levels available depending on the amount of weight you want to lose. Users start out at level one and work their way to five. Emagrece Sim also has a "Weight Stabilizer" package containing Formula 1 and Formula 2 capsules, to be used after the desired weight loss has been achieved. The products are offered for sale on the Internet.