Health Canada is advising consumers not to use the sleep supplement product Optimum Health Care Sleep Easy, because it contains the undeclared drug clonazepam, which can be habit forming when used for as little as a few months. Consumers who may still have this product in their homes are advised to consult with a health care professional before they stop taking the pills, because of the risk of serious withdrawal symptoms.
Optimum Health Care Sleep Easy has a different name but has the same formulation as Optimum Health Care SleePlus TCM and BYL SleePlus. All of these products are promoted as sleeping aids and are not authorized for sale in Canada.
Clonazepam belongs in the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, which should only be prescribed by a health care professional. Clonazepam should not be used by people with an allergy to any benzodiazepines, such as Valium (diazepam), Restoril (temazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam), or those individuals affected by the neuromuscular disorder myasthenia gravis or by sleep apnea. Benzodiazepines, including clonazepam, should not be used by pregnant women unless absolutely necessary, and used with caution by the elderly and those with a history of substance abuse. The side-effects associated with the use of products containing clonazepam vary according to the individual and can include dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, depression, loss of memory and hallucinations.
Consumers who have purchased Optimum Health Care Sleep Easy should return it to the place of purchase. To date, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of Optimum Health Care Sleep Easy have been reported in Canada.