Liver Damage Behind Hydroxycut Recall

FDA Announces Recall Of Diet Pill Hydroxycut

WASHINGTON -- Government health officials announced the recall of popular weight loss pill Hydroxycut, after reports of liver damage and other health problems.

Food and Drug Administration officials said Friday that Iovate Health Sciences Inc., of Oakville, Ontario, the manufacturer of Hydroxycut, has launched a nationwide recall of the dietary supplement, used by people trying to shed pounds and by body builders to sharpen their muscles.

"The FDA urges consumers to discontinue use of Hydroxycut products in order to avoid any undue risk. Adverse events are rare, but exist. Consumers should consult a physician or other health care professional if they are experiencing symptoms possibly associated with these products," said Linda Katz, M.D., interim chief medical officer of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

The FDA has received 23 reports of serious health problems, including liver damage requiring a liver transplant, according to a FDA's Web site. The FDA also has received a report of one death due to liver failure. Other reported health problems include seizures, cardiovascular disorders and rhabdomyolysis, a type of muscle damage.

Hydroxycut is advertised as made from natural ingredients. It accounts for about 90 percent of the market for weight loss supplements, with sales of about 1 million bottles a year.

Dietary supplements are not as tightly regulated by the government as medications. Manufacturers don't need FDA approval ahead of time before marketing their products. The list of products being recalled by Iovate currently includes:

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

The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved.

I have highlighted in bold the ingredients I would question - especially aspartame - and I would note that for many people the standardized herbs are much more like drugs and will effect them in some potentially untoward manner. There is a high caffeine quotient in this product and this can contribute to cardiovascular events. None of the herbs are certified as organic and my have high levels of herbicides and pesticides. Do look at all the potential issues.

Ingredients in Hydoxycut
Garcinia Cambogia Extract Fruit and Rind - Standardized for 60% - Hydroxycitric Acid , Gymnema Sylvestre Extract Leaf - Standardized for 25% Gymnemic Acids , Soy Phospholipids Supplying Phosphatidyl Ethanolam NOPE , Phosphatidyl Serine , Phosphatidyl Choline , Rhodiola Rosea Extract Root - Standardized for 5% Rosavins , Withania Somnifera Extract Root - Standardized for 1.5% Withanolides , Caffeine-Free Green Tea Extract as Camellia Sinensis - Leaf - Supplying Polyphenols - Catechins - Epigallocatechin Gallate , Caffeine-Free White Tea Extract as Camellia Sinensis - Leaf - Standardized for Polyphenols - Catechins - EGCG , Caffeine-Free Oolong Tea Extract as Camellia Sinensis - Leaf - Standardized for Polyphenols - Catechins - EGCG , Microcystalline Cellulose , Hydroxypropyl Cellulose , Polyvinylpyrrolidone , Croscarmellose Sodium , Sodium Chloride , Sodium Glycolate , Vegetable Stearate , Magnesium Stearate , Coating , Polyvinyl Alcohol , Titanium Dioxide , Polyethylene Glycol , Talc , FD&C Yellow No. 5 , FD&C Yellow No. 6 , Silica , Acesulfame Potassium , Maltodextrin , Propylene Oxide Propylene Oxide

Find information on legal rights and product issues here.