In Hong Kong, the Department of Health in March urged people not to take a weight loss product named “Marsha Slim Plus”, which contains undeclared ingredients – sibutramine and its analogue, as well as phenolphthalein.

Sibutramine stimulates our sympathetic nervous system which results in inhibiting stomach and intestinal motility and hence used as an appetite suppressant. However, its side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, psychosis and convulsions.  

Phenolphthalein is used for treating constipation but has been found to have cancer-causing effect.

This news broke out only one month after the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) urged ban on Reductil (or called Meridia in the US), another weight loss pill containing sibutramine, over fears that it could increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

“The risks are greater than their benefits,” EMEA said.

A trial involving 10,000 patients had revealed that Reductil could lead to heart problems. It has the potential to increase blood pressure and heart rate. As a result, patients with high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney disease are more prone to suffer the side effects after taking the pill.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration also said that the pill increased the chances of a heart attack or stroke for people with cardiovascular disease.

The situation is even more worrying as the weight-loss pills are for those who are obese. But these people are more likely to have heart problems. People under the age of 16 are also advised not to take the pill.

“Weight loss should be achieved through good diet and appropriate exercise. They should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight loss,” the spokesman of Health Department in Hong Kong said.