Safety updates glossary
This is a brief summary of some of the potential side effects/toxicity of the contaminants or problem ingredients taken from the warnings issued by the relevant regulatory agencies. Please note that this is not a comprehensive description of all possible adverse or unwanted effects of these compounds.
17-methyl-1-androstene-17b-ol-3one (M1T): potential side effects of these sex hormones include fetal effects if taken during early pregnancy, disruption of ovulation leading to infertility in women or disruption of production of spermatozoids in men, promotion of the development of some types of cancer (prostate, breast, endometrium), serious cardiovascular complications (stroke, heart attack, thrombophlebitis, pulmonary embolism) and liver toxicity.
Aconitine alkaloids: symptoms include numbness of mouth and limbs, nausea, and vomiting, limb weakness, breathing difficulties and cardiac arrhythmias.
Aildenafil: a sildenafil analogue with similar side effects.
Aristolochic acids: associated with serious adverse reactions including severe kidney damage and urinary tract cancer.
Aromatase inhibitors: used in the treatment of breast cancer and ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women so should only be used under the supervision of a health care professional. Side effects include decreased rate of bone maturation and growth, decreased sperm production, infertility, aggressive behaviour, adrenal insufficiency, kidney failure and liver dysfunction.
Atropine and scopolamine: symptoms of poisoning include severe dizziness, blurred vision, generalised weakness, hot sensations, dilated pupils, tachycardia.
Benzoic acid: used to treat fungal infections.
Betamethasone: is a steroidal prescription drug used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and allergic reactions. It should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner. Side-effects associated with betamethasone include irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, stomach ulcer, blood disorders, skin, muscle and bone damage, and nervous system disorders.
Body building products: labelled to contain steroids or steroid alternatives: adverse reactions include serious liver injury, stroke, kidney failure and pulmonary embolism (blockage of an artery in the lung). Acute liver injury is known to be a possible harmful effect of using anabolic steroid-containing products. In addition, anabolic steroids may cause other serious long-term adverse health consequences in men, women, and children. These include shrinkage of the testes and male infertility, masculinization of women, breast enlargement in males, short stature in children, adverse effects on blood lipid levels, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
BZP: no known therapeutic use. Although claimed to be a 'natural' substance it is a synthetic compound. Effects include increased body temperature, increased blood pressure, dilated pupils, euphoria, alertness and paranoia.
Chlorpheniramine: an over-the-counter antihistamine drug used to treat allergy symptoms. Side-effects associated with chlorpheniramine include but are not limited to drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and blurred vision.
Dexamethasone: side effects include irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, stomach ulcers, blood disorders, skin, muscle and bone damage, nervous system disorders, infections, increased blood sugar, eye disorders, and mood disorders. Abrupt discontinuation of dexamethasone may cause symptoms of withdrawal, such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, fatigue, confusion, headache, fever, joint and muscle pain, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, dizziness and fainting.
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone): can cause higher than normal levels of female and male hormones in the body with increased risk of prostate, breast, ovarian and other hormone sensitive cancers. DHEA should be avoided by individuals with a history of abnormal heart rhythms, blood clotting disorders and liver disease.
Diclofenac: side effects include gastro-intestinal disturbances including gastric pain, nausea, vomiting, peptic ulcer and bleeding.
Ephedrine and caffeine: in combination may cause serious and possibly fatal adverse effects with symptoms including dizziness, tremors, headaches and irregularities in heart rate, seizures, psychosis, heart attacks and stroke. Kola nut, guarana and mate tea are other herbal sources of caffeine.
Use of products containing ephedrine is not recommended in people with heart problems, hypertension, thyroid disease, diabetes, enlarged prostate, anxiety and restlessness, glaucoma, and pheochromocytoma because ephedrine aggravates these conditions.
Estazolam: a prescription sedative that can impair mental alertness. It can also be habit forming and should only be used under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
Fenfluramine: stimulant drug withdrawn from the market in 1997 after studies demonstrated that it caused serious heart valve damage.
Glibenclamide: side effects include prolonged hypoglycaemia with symptoms of low blood sugar like dizziness, sweating, confusion and collapse.
Glucomannan: a thick soluble fiber used for the treatment of weight loss. As glucomannan has a great capacity to absorb water and expand, it may pose a serious health risk due to obstruction of the oesophagus.
Hydrochlorothiazide: a diuretic (water pill) prescription drug used to remove excess fluid from the body. It should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner. Side effects associated with hydrochlorothiazide include muscle cramps, dizziness, low blood pressure, headache and nausea.
Indomethacin: a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for rheumatism, pain and inflammation. Its known side effects include gastro-intestinal discomfort, nausea, peptic ulcer, anemia, kidney failure and reduced blood clotting ability.
Lead: chronic exposure may lead to anaemia, joint and muscle pain, neurological disorders, kidney damage, convulsions and coma.
Isoretinoin: side effects include dryness of skin with scaling and redness, conjunctivitis, dry sore mouth, visual disturbance, hair thinning and mood changes. It may cause fetal malformation and spontaneous abortion and should not be used during pregnancy. Pregnancy should be avoided for at least one month after treatment has been stopped.
L-carnitine: side effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and seizures.
Lead: chronic exposure may cause anaemia, joint and muscle pain, neurological disorders, kidney damage, convulsions and coma.
M1T (17-methyl-1-androstene-17b-ol-3one): potential side effects of these sex hormones include fetal effects if taken during early pregnancy, disruption of ovulation leading to infertility in women or disruption of production of spermatozoids in men, promotion of the development of some types of cancer (prostate, breast, endometrium), serious cardiovascular complications (stroke, heart attack, thrombophlebitis, pulmonary embolism) and liver toxicity.
Mefenamic acid: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The known side effects include gastro-intestinal discomfort, nausea, stomach pain and bleeding.
Mercury: chronic exposure can cause numbness and gradual decreases in the senses of touch, vision, hearing and taste. In addition, neurological symptoms such as progressive loss of memory and balance, insomnia, hand tremors and behavioural changes, and kidney damage can also result.
Methyl salicylate and camphor: may cause severe side effects when ingested, applied to large areas of the body or when combined with heat to increase absorption of the active ingredients. Children may have more severe side effects from these ingredients. Side effects include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, visual changes, dizziness and mental confusion.
Metronidazole: used for the treatment of anaerobic and protozoal infections. Side effects include gastro-intestinal disorders, constipation, diarrhoea,, nausea, vomiting, metallic taste, dizziness, headache, vaginal itching, odour or discharge, allergic reaction (bloody stools, decreased co-ordination, increased or decreased urination), numbness, tingling or burning of the arms, hands legs or feet; red swollen blistered or peeling skin, stiff neck, visual disturbances, seizures.
Minoxidil: side effects from topical use include skin irritation, rash, itchiness, weight gain, oedema, hypotension.
Miracle Mineral Solution Products: when used as directed produce an industrial beach that can cause serious harm to health. the products instruct consumers to mix the 28% sodium chlorite solution with an acid such as citric acid. This mixture produces chlorine dioxide, a potent bleach used for stripping textiles and industrial water treatment. High oral doses of this bleach, such as those recommended in the labelling can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and symptoms of severe dehydration.
Nimesulide: potent anti inflammatory drug associated with a risk of serious damage to the liver, including liver failure.
Pausinystalia yohimbe (yohimbe): potential side effects include tremors, dizziness, nervousness, anxiety, irritability and increased heart rate.
Phenolphthalein: banned for its cancer causing effect.
Phentolamine: alpha-adrenergic blocker, side effects include arrhythmia and tachycardia.
Prednisolone: steroid, with extended unmonitored use can cause side effects such as moon face (round face), high blood pressure, high blood sugar and peptic ulcer.
Pregnenolone: can cause higher than normal levels of female and male hormones in the body, can increase the risk of prostate, breast, ovarian and other hormone-sensitive cancers. Should be avoided by individuals who suffer from epileptic seizures or who are taking anti-seizure medications.
Propranolol: prescription beta-blocker drug that can pose a risk to people with bronchial asthma and certain heart conditions.
Sibutramine: side effects include dry mouth, palpitation, insomnia, and increased blood pressure and heart rate, emotional disturbance, and possibly convulsion. People with heart problems should not take it.
Sibutramine analogues: chemically similar to sibutramine are expected to have the same side effects. Includes N,N-didesmethylsibutramine.
Sildenafil: side effects include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure of patients to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates.
Sildenafil analogues: chemically similar to sildenafil are expected to have the same side effects. Include aminotadalafil, desmethylacetildenafil, hydroxyhomosildenafil, hydroxythiohomosildenafil, nortadalafil, sulfoaildenafil, thiohomosildenafil, thiosildenafil.
Spironolactone: diuretic used to treat oedema and heart failure. It can cause headache, drowsiness and gastro-intestinal disturbances.
Steroids: may cause serious long term adverse health consequences including shrinkage of the testes and male infertility, masculinization of women, breast enlargement in males, short stature in children, a higher predilection to misuse other drugs and alcohol, adverse effects on blood lipid levels, increased risk of heart attack, stroke and death, acute liver injury.
Sulfoaildenafil: sildenafil analogue probably has similar side effects.
Tadalafil: side effects, such as headaches and flushing. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates. (see Sildenafil)
Tetrahydropalmatine: reported toxic effects include depression of neurological, respiratory and cardiac functions in paediatric cases, as well as hepatitis after prolonged use in adults.
Vinpocetin: side effects include indigestion, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, facial flushing, insomnia, headache, drowsiness and dry mouth.
Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe): these products may contain high levels of yohimbine which has been associated with anxiety, dizziness, increased blood pressure, fast heart rate and may result in serious adverse reactions particularly in people with high blood pressure, heart, kidney or liver disease.
Yohimbine: a prescription drug that can affect blood pressure and the heart. It should only be taken under the supervision of a health care practitioner. Side effects associated with yohimbine include tremors, sleep disorders, anxiety, abnormal blood pressure and heart beat, seizures, and kidney problems.