Latest Hydroxycut Recall Caused by Reports of Liver Damage
By Jim Greene
Published on December 19, 2009
Reports to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of liver damage in users of the dietary supplement Hydroxycut prompted a recall of the product line by its manufacturer earlier this year. Symptoms reported ranged from mild to the death of one user.
Hydroxycut is marketed by Iovate Health Sciences, Inc., as a weight loss aid. A previous formulation, marketed by Muscletech Research and Development, was recalled in 2004, when the FDA banned ephedra, one of its primary ingredients.
FDA Questions ingredients, Dosage Amount
The recalled products' formulation included several herbal and chemical ingredients. The FDA has not determined which ingredients may be linked to the reported problems, nor whether the amount consumed is a relevant issue. Some of the 23 reports received by the FDA were said to be from users who claim to have exactly followed package instructions.
Symptoms reported to the FDA included jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, which can be a sign of potential liver failure. Some cases of liver damage reportedly required organ transplants, and the death of a 19-year-old Hydroxycut user was reported.
One ingredient common to both the recalled version and a new version already available for purchase is plenty of caffeine. Iovate's advertising emphasizes Hydroxycut's ability to increase metabolism and decrease appetite. Symptoms known to be caused by excessive caffeine consumption were also reported, including headaches, dizziness, anxiety, and elevated heart rate and blood pressure.
FDA Warns against Recalled Product Line
While the FDA has not made a firm connection between Hydroxycut ingredients and liver damage, neither has it ruled out the possibility. The agency's Web site clearly recommends that consumers stop taking the recalled version of the product.
If you used Hydroxycut and suffered liver damage or any other possibly related medical problem, you need to contact a qualified personal injury or defective products liability attorney. You will need someone to fight for your rights to the financial compensation needed to help you recover.
Keyword Tags: