Health Canada, June 7, 2005
2005-55
June 7, 2005
Warning
Health Canada warns consumers not to use human growth hormone drug called GHR-15
OTTAWA - Health Canada is warning consumers not to use
GHR-15, which is sometimes labelled as GHR, due to risks associated with
unsubstantiated health claims, hyperthyroidism, and possible interactions
and allergic reactions. This product is not authorized for sale in
Canada.
GHR-15, which is available through the Internet in capsule and powder
form, is promoted by BIE Health Products (Canada) as a human growth
hormone (HGH) supplement. The company suggests it can cure or help prevent
a variety of diseases, including cancer, diabetes, arthritis, heart
disease, and multiple sclerosis. Human growth hormone therapy has not been
proven to be effective via oral treatments, therefore people taking GHR-15
are not likely to experience any therapeutic benefits. Health Canada
cautions against the self-diagnosis or self-treatment of serious diseases
and advises Canadians that GHR-15 is not approved as a treatment for any
of these diseases.
GHR-15 can also cause hyperthyroidism, which can lead to increased
heart rate, elevated blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, excessive
sweating, hand tremors, nervousness and anxiety, difficulty sleeping,
weight loss despite increased appetite, increased activity level despite
fatigue and weakness, and frequent bowel movements, occasionally with
diarrhea.
The product contains, among other ingredients, several amino acids as
well as anterior pituitary and hypothalamic extracts. Based on these
ingredients, users of this product could also experience drug or hormone
interactions and/or allergic reactions.
To date, there have been no adverse reactions reported to Health Canada
regarding this drug. However, Health Canada has received numerous
complaints about the claims made for this product. Consumers who have
concerns about using GHR-15 should consult with a physician to determine
an appropriate alternate therapy for their medical conditions.
In order not to contaminate ground water or municipal water systems,
consumers are advised not to dispose of unused GHR-15 by flushing it down
a toilet or pouring it down a sink. Any unused product should be returned
to the supplier. Health Canada has issued a Customs Alert to the Canada
Border Services Agency preventing further importation of this product.
Before being authorized for sale in Canada, a manufacturer must provide
Health Canada with scientific evidence that a drug is both safe and
effective in meeting its stated health claims, and that it is of high
quality. Consumers are encouraged to use drug products that have been
reviewed and authorized for sale by Health Canada. That such an
authorization has been granted can be determined by the presence of an
eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number
(NPN), or a DIN-Homeopathic Number (DIN-HM). These numbers can be found on
the labels of authorized products.
The text in this article was prepared by Health Canada.