Personal Injury Law

FDA recalls popular weight loss Hydroxycut supplements due to increased risk of Liver Damage and Death

By Brian F. LaBovick, Esq.

Don't let the slick, clever misleadind Hydroxycut ad fool you, there's no real substitute for diet and exercise when it comes to losing weight safely.  Every year millions of Americans turn to so-called dietary supplements to aid in reducing pounds and inches from their waistlines. In many cases, these supplements are no more than combinations of vitamins and minerals or herbal remedies that, while they may not actually cause weight loss, do no harm to those taking them. The FDA recalled several Hydroxycut products made by Iovate.

Is it worth the risk, taking a supplement touted as a miracle weight-loss aid, that can possibly cause dangerous, and even fatal, health problems? Many consumers taking the widely popular Hydroxycut products marketed and distributed by Iovate and Muscle Tech are faced with this dilemma.

According to a warning issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month, several Hydroxycut products manufactured by these companies have been linked with 23 reports of serious health problems, including jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, potential indicators of the presence or emergence of more serious liver damage which may, in some cases, require liver transplant. In addition to these health problems, the agency also reported one death due to liver failure linked to these Hydroxycut products.

In addition, Hydroxycut users reported other harmful and serious side effects, including cardiovascular problems, seizures, and rhabdomyolosis, a condition in which an individual's muscle tissue begins to break down, often resulting in severe kidney damage and even kidney failure.

In its statement, the FDA noted that it has not yet determined the dosages associated with injury, and asked consumers to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products, and to see their physician if they experience any of the symptoms which may occur as side effects of Hydroxycut use, including the yellow skin and eyes indicative of jaundice, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, itching, light-colored stool, and brown urine.

Hydroxycut products recalled by the FDA include:

• Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
• Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
• Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets
• Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets
• Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
• Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
• Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
• Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
• Hydroxycut 24
• Hydroxycut Carb Control
• Hydroxycut Natural

If you have taken these products and are experiencing side effects, contact your doctor. It is better to err on the side of caution and discontinue use of the product. This could help save your life and prevent fatal results.

Full post as published by LaBovick Injury Law Blog on June 10, 2009 (boomark / email).