Health Ministry Warns of 'G-Slim' Weight Loss Product After User Hospitalized

Israel's Ministry of Health issued a warning on Tuesday against the purchase and consumption of 'G-Slim,' a product marketed for weight loss. Laboratory tests revealed that the product contains sibutramine, an active ingredient banned in Israel and many other countries due to significant health risks.

The ministry announced that a young man was hospitalized with chest pains and a rapid heartbeat after using the unauthorized product. Sibutramine, when used without medical supervision, can cause severe side effects including increased blood pressure, rapid pulse, anxiety, insomnia, heart attack, stroke, psychiatric disorders, and even death. The ministry noted that the risk could be even higher due to an unusually large quantity of sibutramine found in the G-Slim product.

Health officials cautioned the public against using counterfeit and unregulated products, urging consumers to buy dietary supplements and health products only from authorized sources and to avoid purchasing them through social media or unfamiliar websites. The ministry also reminded the public that individuals seeking to lose weight or use supplements should consult a licensed dietitian, engage in physical activity, and maintain a healthy diet.

Anyone encountering the G-Slim product, suspecting the marketing of counterfeit drugs, or experiencing adverse effects from product use is encouraged to report it to the Health Ministry's "Kol HaBriut" hotline at *5400.