Hydroxycut Caffeine Content Can Lead to Drug Interactions

By Jim Greene

Published on February 26, 2010

Although promotional materials for the dietary supplement Hydroxycut® proclaim its formula includes all natural ingredients, the fine print lists one that is also a drug. That drug is caffeine, and it is subject to potentially significant interactions with other drugs.

Iovate Health Sciences, Inc., and subsidiary MuscleTech Research and Development, Inc., market Hydroxycut® as a weight loss aid. Two important factors in their weight loss are increased energy and decreased appetite. Both are achieved primarily through caffeine.

Interactions Not Listed on Product Label

Because Hydroxycut® is not a prescription drug, possible drug interactions are not listed in Iovate's promotional materials, though adverse side effects are a possibility.

Many drugs concentrate caffeine in the bloodstream, increasing the likelihood of issues caused by a caffeine overdose, such as high blood pressure, an elevated heart rate or irregular heart rhythm, seizures, nervousness, insomnia, muscle twitches, difficulty breathing, hallucinations, and dizziness. Drugs in this category include the antacid Tagamet®, and fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as Cipro® and Levaquin®.

Since antidepressants have stimulant properties, taking them in combination with Hydroxycut®, while it won't increase caffeine levels, can result in overstimulation, leading to some of the same symptoms as a caffeine overdose. An example is theophylline, sold under several brand names.

Hydroxycut® Products Recalled in 2009

Although not because of a clear connection to caffeine content, in May of 2009, Iovate recalled Hydroxycut® products, after hearing from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that the agency had received reports of liver damage alleged to have been caused by the supplement A reformulated version was soon on the market, but it still relies exclusively on caffeine as the primary active ingredient.

If you or someone you know has taken Hydroxycut® and suffered liver damage or medical issues caused by drug interactions, contact an attorney experienced in product liability/personal injury cases. Your attorney will fight for your right to the compensation needed to put your life back on track.

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