Health Canada, May 16, 2006
2006-30
May 16, 2006
Advisory
For immediate release
Health Canada advises heart patients not to use products containing L-arginine
OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising patients who
have previously had a heart attack not to use L-arginine supplements
because of a recent study showing an increased potential risk of
death when used after a heart attack.
L-arginine is an amino acid which is commonly used to sustain and
promote healthy heart function. However, a recent study published in
the Journal of the American Medical Association in January
2006 suggests that L-arginine may not help improve heart and
circulatory function following a first heart attack and may be
associated with an increased risk of death when used after a heart
attack.
All L-arginine products must carry a warning on their label that
reflects the recent scientific information. Health Canada has issued
a stop-sale and recall on L-arginine-containing products that do not
have the appropriate labelling. As well, products containing
L-arginine must have market authorization before they can be sold in
Canada.
For patients with heart disease who have not had a
previous heart attack, taking L-arginine is unlikely to present a
risk and may provide benefits since L-arginine may help the body
repair damage to blood vessels in the heart.
Consumers who have used products containing L-arginine after a
heart attack and have concerns about their health should contact
their physician or health care practitioner.
The text in this article was prepared by Health Canada.