Hydroxycut products, which fall under the dietary supplement category, allegedly help dieters increase their energy levels, lose body weight and burn off excess fat. The manufacturer hit a rough patch in 2004 when its active ingredient, ephedra, was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration due to the discovery of harmful side effects such as seizures. Hydroxycut products then went through a "revamp" process to offer the same perks sans ephedra, but further research linked the new batch to different health risks.
2009 Warnings and Recall
In 2009, the "revamped" Hydroxycut supplements were banned and recalled after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration received 23 reports of liver injury in people taking the supplement. Reports of liver problems ranged from claims of elevated liver enzymes to liver damage so severe that it required transplant surgery. In one report, a man diet as a result of liver problems linked to the supplement.
Symptoms of Liver Damage
Patients reported liver injury even if they took the bottle-recommended dose of Hydroxycut. This means you could be at risk of liver injury if you continue to take normal doses of pills from bottles of the banned Hydroxycut formula. Common signs of liver injury include yellowing of the skin, yellowing of the whites of the eyes, brown urine, light-colored stools, excessive fatigue, stomach pain, itching, reduced appetite, nausea and vomiting, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Get medical help as soon as possible if you believe your liver may be in danger.
Other Reported Problems
Serious problems other than liver damage have been linked to use of Hydroxycut's ephedra-free formula. One reported condition is rhabdomyolysis, which is a type of muscle damage that may cause health problems such as kidney failure. Other problems include seizures and heart problems such as irregular heartbeat and heart attack.
Cause Uncertain
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration did not determine which ingredient caused the damage, noting that Hydroxycut products contain many overlapping extracts and ingredients. It also did not confirm whether factors such as length of supplement use, pre-existing medical problems or use of other drugs or supplements would increase a person's risk of liver injury.
New Risks
The manufacturer of Hydroxycut developed yet another "reformulated" line of products after the 2009 recall and ban of the prior formula. The new Hydroxycut formula includes antioxidants such as vitamin C. However, its key ingredient is likely caffeine, as caffeine increases the heart rate and boosts the metabolism. You're at risk of developing side effects such as restlessness, tremors, anxiety, heart palpitations and caffeine withdrawal symptoms unless you take the caffeine-free version of the supplement. Also consider the prior recalls and bans of Hydroxycut formulas when weighing the pros and cons of trying the new one.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Warning on Hydroxycut Products
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Press Announcement: FDA Warns Consumers to Stop Using Hydroxycut Products; May 1, 2009
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Questions and Answers: Hydroxycut
- CNNhealth.com: Stop Using Hydroxycut Products, FDA Says; Saundra Young; May 1, 2009
- Reuters: Hydroxycut Linked to Other Cases of Liver Damage; Amy Norton; Feb. 12, 2010
- MedlinePlus: Caffeine in the Diet
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