Hydroxycut Recalled by the FDA

On May 1, 2009 the FDA (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) strongly advised the public to stop using all Hydroxycut products due to its ability to cause serious health problems. Iovate Health Sciences, the manufacturer of Hydroxycut, has agreed to recall all Hydroxycut products.

Hydroxycut products are dietary supplements that are marketed for weight and water loss, fat burners, and energy-enhancers. Hydroxycut is sold in health food stores like GNC, as well as supermarkets. According to the Iovate Health Sciences web site, customers can return their Hydroxycut products where they were purchased.

23 accounts of health problems were reported to the FDA prompting the advisory. The health problems range from jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, liver damage and even liver transplants. A report on CNN relayed the death of a 19-year old due to liver failure linked to Hydroxycut.

Cardiovascular disorders, seizures, and rhabdomyolysis were also reported. The American Family Physician website defines Rhabdomyolysis as a potentially life-threatening syndrome resulting from the breakdown of skeletal muscle fibers with leakage of muscle contents into the circulation which can cause kidney failure.

Symptoms of liver injury to be on the look-out for are: jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes), brown urine, nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, excessive fatigue, weakness, stomach or abdominal pain, itching, and loss of appetite.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet determined which of the Hydroxycut ingredients or dosages caused the health problems because Hydroxycut products contain a variety of ingredients and herbal extracts.

If you have taken Hydroxycut and experience any adverse symptoms, please see your doctor right away. It is important to also report any adverse reactions to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program by visiting http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please note that Hydroxycut Cleanse and Hoodia products are not affected by the recall.

Hydroxycut is manufactured by Iovate Health Sciences Inc., of Oakville, Ontario and distributed by Iovate Health Sciences USA Inc. of Blasdell, N.Y