Israeli Health Ministry Warns of Deadly Sibutramine in Popular Weight Loss Product 'Magic Honey'

The Israeli Ministry of Health has issued a severe warning after detecting the banned substance sibutramine in the weight loss product "Magic Honey," which has been aggressively marketed on social media in recent weeks. Sibutramine, prohibited in Israel since 2010 due to its association with serious side effects such as increased blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, psychosis, and even death, was found following complaints of severe adverse effects including rapid heartbeat, disorientation, and intense headaches.

Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of sibutramine in the product, prompting the ministry to alert the public that no registered products in Israel legally contain this substance. The ministry cautioned that consuming products with sibutramine without medical supervision can expose users to unknown dosages and dangerous side effects, including life-threatening conditions. Past incidents in Israel have involved hospitalizations due to counterfeit products containing sibutramine.

"Magic Honey" is manufactured in Turkey, the same country linked to last year's revelation that the Turkish-made weight loss pills "Mary's Diet" also contained sibutramine. Following that exposure, the ministry had similarly warned the public to cease use immediately and seek urgent medical care if side effects occurred.

Sibutramine, known commercially as Reductil or Meridia, was formerly prescribed for weight loss by increasing serotonin and noradrenaline levels to boost metabolism. However, studies published in 2010 revealed increased risks of strokes and heart attacks, leading to its removal from markets in the US, UK, EU, Israel, Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong.

The Ministry of Health emphasized that despite the ban, such products continue to be sold online and in stores disguised as dietary supplements. They strongly advise discontinuing use immediately, purchasing supplements and medications only from reputable pharmacies and networks, and reporting any suspicions of counterfeit or dangerous drugs to the ministry's hotline *5400.