NAFDAC alerts users of weight loss products to be wary of Sibutramine

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted users of weight-loss products to be cautious of products that contain sibutramine.

The agency in a statement released this week said products containing the substance had been recalled by three regulatory bodies in Asia.

The recall, according to NAFDAC, was due to the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke, heart disease and aortic disease.

PlanetPulse.NG understands that Sibutramine is an appetite suppressant that is used for the treatment of obesity.

Formerly, it was an authorized product, but its licenses have been suspended by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2010 due to a research carried out.

EMA discovered through the research that the danger of the appetite suppressant surpasses its benefits.

The medicine has also been withdrawn from sale by the producers.

“Weight control should be achieved through healthy lifestyle measures like eating healthy and appropriate exercise,” NAFDAC wrote.

“Although the products are not in the NAFDAC database, they are mostly marketed as ‘effective weight loss supplements’, and illegally sold online through social media platforms like Instagram.”

NAFDAC advises members of the public who have any of this appetite suppressant to discontinue the use or sale of it, and submit the product to her nearest office.

“Importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers should be careful within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the Sibutramine,” NAFDAC stated.