Are you one of millions of Americans about to make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight? If so, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to warn you about weight loss pills that could cause more harm than good.
FDA analyses found that many of the over-the-counter weight loss products, often marketed as “dietary supplements” and promoted as “natural” or containing only “herbal” ingredients, have active pharmaceutical ingredients that don’t appear on the label. Some contain subutramine (a controlled substance), rimonanbant (a drug not approved for use in the U.S.), phenytoin (an anti-seizure medication), and phenolphthalein (a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer agent).
The health risks posed by these products can be very serious. Sibutramine can cause high blood pressure, seizures, tachycardia, palpitations, heart attack, or stroke. It can also interact with other medications that patients are taking and cause adverse drug events. Rimonobant has been associated with increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and has been linked to five deaths and 720 adverse reactions in Europe.
The FDA advises consumers to stop taking these products and consult their healthcare professional immediately. The products are still available in stores and various web sites, but the FDA is currently seeking product recalls.
More than 25 different products are considered dangerous, including Fatloss Slimming, 2 Diet, 3x Slimming Power, Japan Lingzhi 24 Hours Diet, 5x Imelda Perfect Slimming, 3 Day Diet, and 7 Day Herbal Slim. For the complete list and for answers to common questions about the warning, visit the FDA’s web site.
Related Stories:
[+] FDA chastised for using flawed methods in baby bottle risk assessment
[+] Gardasil Vaccine Required for Young Women Seeking Immigration to U.S.
[+] Feeling depressed? No worries! Government approves first magnet device for the treatment of depression
[+] FDA to open offices in China
[+] FDA decision to approve sale of cloned animals incites debate