DOHA • The National Health Authority (NHA) has issued a warning to the public not to use the herbal drug Phyto Shape, produced by Etumax Corporation of Malaysia.

Etumax, set up in 2000, promises: "Our range of products is 100 per cent natural and is guaranteed to have no side effects whatsoever.” However, the NHA has issued its latest directive as Phyto Shape contains a chemical ingredient called sibutramine which is dangerous to health. Worse, sibutramine is not openly mentioned by Etumax as an ingredient of Phyto Shape.

Phyto Shape had gained increasing popularity in the region as it helped in weight loss.

An NHA official stated that all drugs containing sibutramine are not allowed into the country unless with a prescription due to the chemical's "grave side effects". Phyto Shape, the official observed, is also not registered in Qatar but is smuggled into the country from other states.

Phyto Shape was yanked off the UAE market late last month after the Pharmaceutical Department of the country's Ministry of Health declared it was not a herbal supplement as claimed. In fact, it contained sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate.

Sibutarmine can cause increased blood pressure, allergic reactions which could lead to breathing difficulties, closure of the throat, and a swollen tongue. It can also lead to easy bleeding, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, severe headaches, blurred vision and seizures.