Potentially addictive sleep aids recalled
Last Updated: Friday, June 15, 2007 | 11:07 AM ET
CBC News
Related
External Links
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window)
Consumers who use Optimum Health Care SleePlus TCM or BYL SleePlus are being warned that the sleep supplements could be addictive when used continually over a period of a few months, Health Canada says.
The federal agency said in an advisory issued Thursday that the sleep aids, which have not been authorized for sale in Canada, contain the drug clonazepam. Patients should only take products containing clonazepam under the supervision of a health-care professional.
Optimum Health Care SleePlus TCM products were sold through the Vancouver clinic Optimum Health Care. BYL Pharmaceuticals Ltd. distributed its BYL SleePlus products to other retailers. Both packages were labelled with Chinese script.
Consumers should talk to a health-care professional before they discontinue use of the sleep aids and return the products to the retailer.
Side-effects of the drug include dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, depression, loss of memory and hallucinations.
No adverse reactions linked to the use of the products have been reported in Canada.
Consumers with questions can call Health Canada at (613) 957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.
Share Tools
Top News Headlines
- Refugee reforms include fingerprints, no appeals for some
- New, tougher reforms to refugee legislation that hasn't yet come into force are already drawing fire from critics who say they give Canada's immigration minister too much power and risk the lives of claimants. more »
- Underwear bomber sentenced to life in prison
- A Nigerian man who tried to blow up an international flight near Detroit on behalf of al-Qaida has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. more »
- 7 MPs and their fiery quotes
- The election of a majority government was seen by some as a chance for less acrimonious politics on Parliament Hill. But the past week has seen its fair share of inflammatory rhetoric on both sides of the House. more »
- Bully victim's mother tells of 'suicide box'
- A mother who hired a bodyguard to protect her bullied daughter says the girl had prepared a "suicide box" in case the violence became unbearable. more »
- Dog kills newborn in Alberta community
- Montreal telemarketers in fraud case still making calls
- Refugee reforms include fingerprints, no appeals for some
- Bully victim's mother tells of 'suicide box'
- Honduras prison fire is world's deadliest
- Degrassi's Wheels death announced, 5 years later
- Nortel collapse linked to Chinese hackers
- 2 small earthquakes rattle Vancouver Island
- Barefoot girl's icy trek not blamed on babysitter
