The FDA Recalls Hydroxycut

More Hydroxycut Drug Information

When there's a substantial risk involved with taking a medication or supplement, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues a recall to warn consumers to stop taking it.

This is exactly what happened on May 1, 2009, when the FDA learned that popular weight loss drug Hydroxycut could be linked to major medical problems. Hydroxycut manufacturer Iovate has agreed to a voluntary recall of 14 different Hydroxycut products, and the FDA is urging consumers to discontinue use of all other Hydroxycut supplements as well.

The May 1, 2009 recall of Hydroxycut came after the FDA received over 20 reports of medical complications directly relating to the supplement. The most serious and common Hydroxycut problems are associated with liver failure, and one death has already been reported after a patient took Hydroxycut. This liver damage, which may cause the patient to need a liver transplant, has affected patients who were taken the recommended dosage. Other serious medical conditions that have been reported and contributed to the FDA's decision to recall Hydroxycut include seizures, muscle damage, heart disease, and kidney failure.

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The FDA recommends that everyone taking Hydroxycut stops using the product, as even a lower dosage could lead to medical problems. The symptoms relating to serious conditions sometimes appear as soon as the patient begins taking Hydroxycut; other times, it is several months later or they even occur after the consumer stops taking the supplement.

Based on the information the FDA has received, it is impossible to tell which ingredient in the supplement or blend of ingredients causes the problems. The first liver-related problems were reported to the FDA many years ago, but at the time, it was thought that ephedra was the cause. Ephedra, however, was removed from Hydroxycut in 2004, and problems have since been reported. Because Hydroxycut is a supplement and not a drug, though, reporting on problems is not as highly regulated, and laws governing the product are different.

If you've experienced a problem due to taking Hydroxycut, you should see a doctor right away and also file a complaint with the FDA. It is important to also talk to a Hydroxycut lawyer to learn about your rights.

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