Sleep aid recalled across Canada as it may pose 'serious health risks'

Jul 12 2019, 8:15 pm

Nutrabolics Inc. is voluntarily recalling “Blackout,” a sleep-aid product, because it is labelled to contain a drug (L-tryptophan) at a prescription-strength dose, which may pose serious health risks, according to Health Canada.

Blackout has not been authorized by Health Canada. Therefore, it has not been evaluated for safety, effectiveness, or quality.

Prescription drugs should be taken only under the advice and supervision of a healthcare professional because they are used to treat specific diseases and may cause serious side effects.

CNW Group/Health Canada

Blackout may have been sold at multiple retailers, both online and in stores, across Canada. If you have it, you should stop using it.

Consult your health care professional if you have used this product and have health concerns, and report any health product-related adverse reactions or complaints to Health Canada.

You can return any unused product to the place of purchase.

See also

L-tryptophan is a prescription drug at doses higher than 220 mg per day. At prescription doses, this medication should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional because of the higher risk of serious side effects and harmful drug interactions. L-tryptophan is prescribed in Canada for use in combination with antidepressants for patients with depressive disorders.

Side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, headache, and sexual problems.

In rare cases, serotonin syndrome has been reported when L-tryptophan was taken with other drugs, including some that affect the central nervous system. This syndrome is a potentially life-threatening reaction with symptoms that include high body temperature, agitation, sweating, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, muscle rigidity, confusion, and seizures.

Shoppers are encouraged to read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM).

You can also check whether products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada’s Drug Product Database and Licensed Natural Health Product Database.

If you have questions about this recall, you can contact Nutrabolics Inc. at 1-800-568-8781 or www.nutrabolics.com/pages/contact.

Kayla GladyszKayla Gladysz

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