Hydroxycut Dangers
You may remember television advertisements selling Hydroxycut, a dietary supplement marketed as a weight loss drug. Unfortunately, too many consumers discovered that the weight loss came at a high cost. On May 1, 2009, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public advisory recommending that consumers cease all Hydroxycut use. The manufacturer voluntarily recalled 14 Hydroxycut products. The FDA has since issued a second warning.
The strict testing and standards applicable to pharmaceuticals do not apply to dietary supplements like Hydroxycut. After the first FDA warning, Hydroxycut removed the ingredient ephedra, a plant-based chemical found to cause high blood pressure, arrhythmia, heart attack and stroke. Still, Hydroxycut users run the risk of serious health problems and complications.
Hydroxycut Side Effects
Multiple reports of side effects prompted the 2009 FDA public advisory and recall. The side effects included:
- Liver failure
- Kidney failure
- Heart problems
- Muscle damage
- Jaundice
- One confirmed death due to liver problems
- Excessive weight loss
- Nervousness
Hydroxycut allegedly works by reducing the user's appetite and increasing their metabolism. A key Hydroxycut ingredient is caffeine, which can speed heart rate and increase the risk of heart attack. Hydroxycut makers are now marketing caffeine-free Hydroxycut.
Hydroxycut also contains potassium and calcium. People who suffer from kidney ailments have to limit their potassium intake. Taking Hydroxycut can interfere with their kidney treatments and lead to bigger problems.
Diabetics are especially at risk using Hydroxycut, because it can interfere with how the brain reads blood sugar levels. The chromium in Hydroxycut tricks the body into thinking that it is full, resulting in weight loss. This could also trick the brain into thinking blood sugars are normal when they are not.
Hydroxycut pulled 14 products from the market after the FDA's warning. The recalled products are: Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets, Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets, Hardcore Liquid Caplets, Max Liquid Caplets, Regular Drink Packets, Caffeine-Free Drink Packets, Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Mix), Max Drink Packets, Liquid Shots, Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink), Max Aqua Shed, Hydroxycut 24, Carb Control and Hydroxycut Natural.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from any of the above Hydroxycut products, a Boston injury attorney can evaluate your case to see if you can recover financial compensation. Contact a Boston injury lawyer for a consultation about Hydroxycut or any other pharmaceutical litigation matter.