Health Ministry Warns of Dangerous Weight Loss Supplement After Young Man Hospitalized

Israel's Ministry of Health has issued a public warning after a young man was hospitalized with chest pains and a rapid heartbeat following the consumption of a weight loss supplement called G-Slim. Laboratory tests conducted by the ministry revealed that the product contains sibutramine, a banned pharmaceutical substance, prompting the alert against its purchase and use.

G-Slim was found to contain 53.8 mg of sibutramine per capsule, more than triple the amount found in a similar product previously banned in Israel. Sibutramine was once prescribed for weight loss under brand names like Meridia and Reductil, acting as an appetite suppressant by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. However, it was withdrawn from the market in 2010 by both the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to a study showing a 16% increase in the risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke.

Despite its ban, sibutramine has resurfaced in the illicit market, frequently appearing in illegal weight loss supplements sold online. The FDA has repeatedly warned about products marketed as "natural" that contain undeclared sibutramine, mirroring the way G-Slim was sold. The ministry emphasized that taking sibutramine without medical supervision can lead to severe side effects, such as increased blood pressure, rapid pulse, anxiety, insomnia, heart attacks, strokes, psychiatric disorders, and even death, with the high concentration in G-Slim exacerbating these risks.

The Ministry of Health advises the public to purchase medications, supplements, and health products only from authorized locations like pharmacies and health store chains, and to avoid products sold on social media, messaging groups, or unfamiliar websites. They also recommend consulting licensed nutritionists for weight loss or supplement advice, emphasizing balanced diets and physical activity. Individuals who encounter such products or experience adverse effects are urged to contact the "Kol HaBriut" (Voice of Health) hotline at *5400.