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Hydroxycut Recall, Reformulation Recalls Earlier Events

By Jim Greene

Published on February 22, 2010

For the second time in its history, the dietary supplement Hydroxycut®, marketed for use as a weight loss aid, is back on store shelves after being reformulated in response to consumer concerns and the intervention of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Hydroxycut® brand was introduced in 2002 by MuscleTech Research and Development, Inc., a Canadian company specializing in supplements marketed to bodybuilders. The product, said to be made entirely of natural ingredients, promised to increase energy and decrease appetite. The primary active ingredients used to achieve those goals were ephedra and caffeine.

FDA Banned Hydroxycut® Ingredient Ephedra in 2004

Although ephedra is obtained from plant sources and has been used since ancient times, it can greatly increase heart rate and blood pressure and cause other side effects, such as anxiety, headaches and dizziness, and stomach irritation. Because of these concerns, the FDA banned ephedra from dietary supplements in 2004.

Not willing to abandon the successful Hydroxycut® brand, MuscleTech parent company Iovate Health Sciences, Inc., reformulated the product line, this time depending entirely on caffeine to attain the desired increased energy and decreased appetite.

Reformulated Hydroxycut® Blamed for Liver Damage

When Iovate next heard from the FDA, the agency had received complaints from consumers claiming to have suffered liver damage, ranging from mild to severe, blamed on taking Hydroxycut®. In May of last year, Iovate recalled outstanding stocks and again reformulated the brand.

Iovate wasted little time in getting new formulations of Hydroxycut® onto the market. The Iovate Web site still portrays it as an aid to becoming trim and fit; the MuscleTech site spins an added body-building benefit.

If you or someone you know has suffered liver damage or medical problems related to high blood pressure or elevated heart rate after taking Hydroxycut®, contact an experienced product liability/personal injury attorney. You may be able to receive financial compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, and other expenses related to your case.

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Keyword Tags: defective drugs, pharmaceutical litigation

Comments

1

i started to take this product without knowing about the recall i got a fewer of over 100.4 my head was pounding really bad could not stay still i think they need to recall this product again HYDROXYCUT will be returning it back to the store
thx Gina

gina, almost 2 years ago

2

I didnt know about the recall when I started Hydroxycut.
I couldnt sleep at night having so much anxity at ight and day. I felt dizzy, even driving became a problem.. They should discontiue this Product!

Ela, over 1 year ago

3

I started taking HydroxyCut two years ago, when my boyfriend made snide comments about my weight (a size 6/8 wasn't thin enough for him). Within a month, I was defecating blood and diagnosed with IBD at the unusual age of 37. Typically, IBD occurs in people in their late teens/early twenties or when they enter old age. I went on a health kick, eliminating mammals and sugar from my diet and broke up with the boyfriend for some peace of mind. I also discontinued the Hydroxycut.

After a few months, my symptoms were under control without taking medications. Until a year later, around the holidays, I started splurging on the diet and put on a few pounds, prompting me to again start taking the Hydroxycut. My symptoms returned, which I blamed on the change in diet. I cleaned up the diet, lost a few pounds and stopped with the Hydroxycut.

I just tried again, two years after the initial use of hydroxycut, and low and behold, my IBD symptoms returned. I stopped taking the hydroxycut but continued to eat whatever I wanted and my symptoms went away!

I assumed my problem was with one of the main ingredients of the hydroxycut and concluded I couldn't use it. However, it wasn't until I took a much closer look at the fine print inert ingredients that I noticed Titanium Dioxide. According to research, 4% of the population is allergic to Titanium. I have had reactions to Titanium jewelry but never suspected it would be in something I'd ingest.

If you are allergic to metals, BEWARE of the fine print. There is Titanium Dioxide (not sure why it would be necessary) in the Hydroxycut. I suffered pain, lost time from work and resigned from my position as Dept. Chair due to health issues associated with this product.

Kari, over 1 year ago

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