FDA warns consumers not to use Hydroxycut products due to liver risks

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to consumers not to use Hydroxycut products due to the risk of serious liver damage.  The FDA says that “Consumers who use a Hydroxycut dietary supplement and who experience signs of illness associated with liver disease should immediately consult their health care provider.  Symptoms of serious liver disease include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes) and brown urine.  Non-specific symptoms of liver disease can include nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, unusual tiredness, weakness, stomach or abdominal pain, itching, and loss of appetite.   FDA has also identified several other serious adverse events associated with Hydroxycut, including cases of seizures, rhabdomyolysis (a type of muscle damage that can lead to other dangerous problems, such as kidney failure), and cardiovascular problems, ranging in severity from irregular heart beat to a heart attack.”

The FDA specifically mentioned the following products:

• 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 and;

• Hydroxycut Carb Control;

• Hydroxycut Natural.

The FDA has received 23 reports of adverse liver effects in users of Hydroxycut products, ranging from asymptomatic blood liver enzyme changes, jaundice, liver damage, liver transplant, and death.  The FDA urges consumers and their health care professionals to report any cases of liver and other injuries that may be related to the use of Hydroxycut or any other dietary supplements.  Adverse events associated with the use of dietary supplements should be reported as soon as possible to FDA’s MedWatch program by calling their toll-free number (1-800-332-1088) or through the Internet (http://www.fda.gov/medwatch).

Tagged as: consumers, drug, FDA, Hydroxycut, liver disease