From The Peninsula - Qatar's Leading English Daily

NHA alert against Phyto Shape

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. Source

Wikipedia about side effects of Sibutramine or Reductil; Phyto Shape

Side effects
Frequently encountered side effects are: dry mouth, paradoxically increased appetite, nausea, strange taste in the mouth, anorgasmia and delayed ejaculation, upset stomach, constipation, trouble sleeping, dizziness, drowsiness, menstrual cramps/pain, headache, flushing, or joint/muscle pain.
Sibutramine can substantially increase blood pressure and pulse in some patients. Therefore all patients treated with sibutramine should have regular monitoring of blood pressure and pulse.
The following side effects are infrequent but serious and require immediate medical attention: cardiac arrhythmias, paresthesia, mental/mood changes (e.g., excitement, restlessness, confusion, depression, rare thoughts of suicide).
Symptoms that require urgent medical attention are seizures, problems urinating, abnormal bruising or bleeding, melena, hematemesis, jaundice, fever and rigors, chest pain, hemiplegia, abnormal vision, dyspnea and edema.
Currently, no case of pulmonary hypertension has been noted, although related compounds (such as Fen-Phen) have shown this rare but clinically significant problem.

The Phyto Shape contains sibutramine and it is officially withdrawn from the UAE market

Today morning Dr. Khadija from the Pharmaceutical Department of the Ministry of Health in Dubai confirmed over a phone conversation that the Phyto Shape is officially withdrawn from the local market as it is not herbal supplement as claimed previously. It has been found that the Phyto Shape contains sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate that is the primary component of the Reductil.
The article published by Khaleej Times on 24th of April provided the official information released by the Ministry of Health.

So Dear Readers, all our previous debates about the Phyto Shape were only debates and if you chose to consider it or not - it's only your decision, but not out recommendation! Our aim is to provide you with information.

The Phytoshape again!

For few months already many have discussed the Phyto Shape, including many friends and people we know.
Many ladies commented that the Phyto Shape helps to loose weight and in fact many did loose weight - 4 to 5 kg monthly. If the news has been purposely spread to bust the sales of the Phyto Shape or the products proves results, it is hard to establish.

The price at the pharmacies was AED 265 until yesterday. It is not sure if the product is available today or already all the stocks were withdrawn from the market.
A little bit is written on the Internet about it and few sites discuss the ingredients along with the site effects of the Phyto Shape. Maybe they are promotional, maybe not.
From what is written on the Internet we all have been led to think that the Phyto Shape is the next slimming miracle and will make many slimmer and more attractive. We found some sites that are recommending the Phyto Shape as a Fruit Extract and natural product. The Ministry of Health in UAE found otherwise.

Yesterday, 24th of April, in one of the daily newspaper Khallej Times was published the following:

"Herbal drug to be withdrawn

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has decided to withdraw a slimming food supplement from the local market, for containing chemical substances that are harmful to human health.
“Phyto Shape capsules, which are marketed as a herbal product for losing weight, will be withdrawn from the market to avert serious health risks that might result from taking the capsules,” said Humaid Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Under-Secretary for Pharmacy and Supplies. "

Phytoshape

Important: Before you read the following, I would like to inform you that on 24th April 2007, UAE's daily publication Khaleej News published that the Ministry of Health decided to withdraw the Phytoshape from the local market! The press release was confirmed over the phone by Dr. Khadija from the Pharmaceutical Department of the Ministry of Health in Dubai.

Dubai's female population is currently overexcited with the lattes slimming miracle, called Phytoshape.

Pharmacies are running out of stock in no time. The pharmacist's wives are getting new figures faster than you can imagine.

What is Phytoshape? How it works? Is it safe? Where we can get it?

These are the common questions every one should ask while considering buying and using any kind of medicines or supplements.

As I found out, the Phytoshape active ingredient is a pure natural fruit extract. It contains hydroxycitric acid. This molecule compete with with citric acid of our body & inhibit the storage of diet as fat. It converts excess food to glycogen. Our body can not store more than half Kg. of glycogen, simply because stored glycogen will give a signal of satiety to the brain with suppression of appetite. As Phyto Shape is thermogenic, it burns fat. It directs flow of blood away from stomach area . This results in appetite suppression. So, simply said: you don't feel hungry.

It is reported most people loose a minimum of 4 kg per month, but some more.

Phyto Shape capsules are contraindicated during pregnancy & lactation. Of course they should be out of the reach of children.

All together, it sounds as harmless herbal supplement that helps to loose weight by suppressing the appetite.

What do you say?