Danish Medicines Agency warns against the weight-loss product Therma Power

27 May 2008

The Danish Medicines Agency strongly warns against Therma Power Red and similar products with the same content and characteristics. Therma Power Red contains ephedrine and is illegal in Denmark .

Since 2006 and up to now, the Danish Medicines Agency has received six adverse reaction reports on Therma Power. One death has been related to Therma Power.

The Danish Medicines Agency has several times before warned consumers against taking ephedrine-containing products like Therma Power. The red variant contains ephedrine and caffeine in extremely high concentrations and may inflict serious damage on persons taking the products.

The product is illegal, but can be bought on the internet, typically via websites that are registered abroad. The Danish Medicines Agency systematically informs the relevant foreign authorities within the EU when it becomes aware of such websites.

The products are commonly found in training and fitness environments due to their performance-enhancing properties, but also persons wishing to lose weight take the products.

The Danish Medicines Agency has previously been made aware that Therma Power and other illegal ephedrine-containing products are being sold via fitness shops. The Danish Medicines Agency has reported these cases to the police.

It is important for the authorities to make consumers aware that products sold via foreign websites, despite them being in Danish, are not controlled by Danish authorities. This means that consumers can neither be sure that the products are legal in Denmark nor that they are safe to take.

For further information, please contact Anne-Marie Vangsted, email Send an email, tel. +45 4488 9315 or Gitte Albæk Christensen, email Send an email, tel. +45 4488 9323.

Danish Medicines Agency, 27 May 2008.