The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to purchase or use V26 Slimming Coffee, a product promoted and sold for weight loss on various websites and possibly in some retail stores.

FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that V26 Slimming Coffee contains sibutramine. Sibutramine is a controlled substance that was removed from the market in October 2010 for safety reasons, according to the administration, which noted the product poses a threat to consumers because sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke.

These products may also interact, in life-threatening ways, with other medications a consumer may be taking, reported the FDA.

Health care professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

Complete and submit the report online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm, download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form.