Health Canada, Dec 2, 1999
1999-143
December 2, 1999
Warning
Health Canada issues
warning on products containing Tiratricol (TRIAC)
OTTAWA - Health Canada is warning consumers who use products
containing an ingredient called Tiratricol (TRIAC), a potent thyroid
hormone, to stop using the product immediately and to consult their
physician, especially if they are experiencing any adverse effects
including insomnia, nervousness, sweating and diarrhea. Products
containing Tiratricol are not approved for sale in Canada and their use as
a dietary supplement for weight loss may cause serious health risks,
including heart attacks and strokes.
Products containing Tiratricol are being sold through the Internet as
dietary supplements for weight-loss purposes. Examples include Triax
Metabolic Accelerator, which is sold by Syntrax Innovations Inc.,
Missouri, USA and T3 Metabolite, which is sold by Mass Quantities, New
York, USA. Other companies may also be involved in Internet sales of these
products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently learned of
several individuals who were found to have abnormal thyroid function test
results while using Triax. No adverse drug reactions have been reported in
Canada.
Health Canada is also advising the Canadian Medical Association, the
Canadian Pharmacists Association and the provincial ministries of health
of the dangers associated with the use of the substance Tiratricol.
Consumers should note that all drug products approved for sale in Canada
carry an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) on the label.
The text in this article was prepared by Health Canada.