Hydroxycut(R) Recalled

Main Category: Liver Disease / Hepatitis
Also Included In: Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals
Article Date: 19 May 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall of 14 Hydroxycut® supplements due to reports of serious liver damage in patients who took the recommended dosages. Liver damage linked to Hydroxycut® use has resulted in at least one death and one liver transplant.

The recalled products are marketed as weight-loss supplements under the Iovate and MuscleTech brand names.

So far, the FDA has received more than 20 reports of serious health problems ranging from jaundice to liver failure. Symptoms of liver damage may include nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, fatigue, weakness, abdominal pain, itching and loss of appetite. Other adverse effects that have been reported include seizures; heart problems and rhabdomyolysis, a type of muscle damage that may lead to kidney failure.

The FDA has not determined which ingredients or other factors may be associated with the reported health risks.

The recalled products include:

- 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®
- Hydroxycut Carb Control®
- Hydroxycut Natural®
Hydroxycut Cleanse® and Hoodia® products, two other products marketed under the Iovate or MuscleTech brands, are not affected by the recall.

References:
1. Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. http://www.naturalstandard.com. Copyright © 2009.
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). http://www.fda.gov

Source
Natural Standard