Makers of Hydroxycut claim the dietary supplement increases energy and burns calories by boosting your metabolism. After a voluntary recall of 14 Hydroxycut products in May 2009, the brand was reformulated with all-natural ingredients such as goji, acerola and blueberries, as well as vitamin C for advanced antioxidant support.
However, caffeine anhydrous is the main ingredient in each. Although Hydroxycut manufacturer Lovate Health Sciences states that its formulas undergo extensive testing, consumers must be aware of possible side effects.
Liver Dangers
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall of Hydroxycut products was based on 23 reports of consumers experiencing liver-related problems during the time they were taking Hydroxycut. This included jaundice, liver damage, liver failure and death. Symptoms of liver damage include brown urine, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, stomach pain, itching and light-colored stools. The FDA could not pinpoint which ingredient was responsible for the problem.
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis, a breakdown of muscle cells that can lead to kidney damage, was diagnosed in an 18-year-old man in Utah who had taken Hydroxycut while increasing his exercise regimen, according to a case study published in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. Symptoms of this life-threatening condition include severe muscle aches throughout the entire body, muscle weakness and dark or cola-colored urine. He was instructed to stop Hydroxycut, increase fluid intake, avoid alcohol consumption and limit physical activity. A week after doing so, his urine and enzyme levels were back to normal.
Heart Conditions
According to Attorney Michael Monheit, Hydroxycut has been linked to arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat and heart attacks. This could have been caused by the ingredient ephedra, which is not used in the current formula.
Caffeine-Related Side Effects
Although Hydroxycut follows a new formula, one of its main ingredients, caffeine anhydrous, can lead to several side effects. These include restlessness, nervousness, tremors, headache, anxiety, palpitations, increased heart rate and difficulty sleeping.
Other Serious Effects
According to Monheit, other side effects that have been linked to Hydroxycut are a tendency to bleed easily, blurred vision, swollen stomach, mental confusion, extreme fatigue and coma.
Warning
Stop using Hydroxycut immediately and seek medical attention if you experience serious conditions related to the liver, muscle, heart or other organs of the body. Effects of caffeine should decrease over time; however, if you experience severe or long-lasting symptoms related to the stimulant, stop using it.
