Health Canada Warns Canadians Not to Use 'Sesa Hair Supplement'

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 25 Jul 2004 - 1:00 PDT

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Health Canada is warning consumers not to use "Sesa Hair Supplement" capsules, a product designed to treat hair loss. This product is contaminated with unacceptable levels of lead and could cause serious adverse effects, including death. Health Canada strongly advises anyone who has used Sesa Hair Supplement capsules to consult their physician.

Sesa Hair Supplement is manufactured by Rani-Pharma Inc. but may also be sold by herbalists and acupuncturists without the name Rani-Pharma Inc on the label. The Sesa Hair Supplement contains the following ingredients: Mukta Sukti 100 mg, Sudha Shilajeet 100 mg, Rohitak 60 mg, Sudh Bodar 50 mg and Rasayana 90 mg. The label directs that the product be taken with milk.

Health Canada assessed Sesa Hair Supplement capsules after receiving a report that one patient taking the product required hospitalization due to lead poisoning. The assessment found the capsules contain more than 7,000 times the allowable limit of lead in a health product. The product was also found to contain mercury and arsenic.

Common symptoms of lead poisoning include: anemia, abdominal pain, convulsions, coma or severe lack of coordination, and paralysis. Exposure to high levels of lead can lead to damage to the intestines, blood system, cardiovascular system, immune system, reproductive system, and kidneys. Children are more sensitive to lead exposure than adults.

Health Canada has issued a stop sale order to clinics that stock this product and has also issued a Customs Alert to prevent shipments of this product from entering the country. Health Canada has also requested that Rani-Pharma Inc. recall all existing product. This product has not been authorized for use by Health Canada, and does not have a Drug Identification Number (DIN) or Natural Product Number (NPN) or Drug Identification Number - Homeopathic Medication (DIN-HM). Health Canada advises Canadians only to use health products which carry a DIN, NPN or DIN-HM on the label.

Consumers and health care professionals are urged to report adverse reactions to Health Canada by toll-free telephone at (866) 234-2345 or by toll-free fax at (866) 678-6789.

Consumers are urged to inform Health Canada if they have purchased this product by contacting their nearest Regional Operational Centre (see list below).

Regional Operational Centres

British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Yukon
Operational Manager
3155 Willingdon Green
Burnaby, British Columbia V5G 4P2
Phone (604) 666-3350 or Fax (604) 666-3149

Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Operational Manager
510 Lagimodiere Blvd
Winnipeg, Manitoba R2J 3Y1
Phone (204) 983-5490 or Fax (204) 984-2155

Ontario, Nunavut
Operational Manager
2301 Midland Ave.
Toronto, Ontario M1P 4R7
Phone (416) 973-1600 or Fax (416) 954-4583

Ontario, Nunavut
Operational Manager
2301 Midland Ave.
Toronto, Ontario M1P 4R7
Phone (416) 973-1600 or Fax (416) 954-4583

Quebec
Operational Manager
1001 Rue St-Laurent Ouest
Longueuil, Quebec J4K 1C7
Phone (450) 646-1353 or Fax (450) 928-4455

Atlantic
Operational Manager
Suite 1625, 16th Floor
1505 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3Y6
Phone (902) 426-2160 or Fax (902) 426-6676

Media Inquiries:
Media Relations
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991 Health Canada