TGA probing supplements
October 16, 2013
The Therapeutic Goods
Administration has confirmed
details of a comprehensive review
of the safety of therapeutic
products which contain both
caffeine and oxedrine.
The compounds are found in a
range of health products currently
available in Australia, variously
marketed as energy supplements,
appetite suppressants and weight
loss products.
According to a statement issued
yesterday, “the TGA is aware that
some of these products are used
and marketed as recreational
stimulants,” with the probe
launched after reports of adverse
events after consumption of
products containing the substances.
One of the reports involves
teenagers experiencing serious
cardiovascular toxicity “after using
such a product in combination with
alcohol and additional caffeine
from an energy drink”.
Health professionals are being
advised to tell patients to moderate
their caffeine intake, and avoid
products containing both caffeine
and oxedrine along with alcohol.
Patients with heart conditions
or high blood pressure may be at
increased risk of serious adverse
events, the TGA said.
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