Hydroxycut is a company that manufactures weight-loss supplements. They offer approximately 10 different products ranging from pills to instant drink packets and coffee extract. According to the manufacturer, Hydroxycut products contain key ingredients that are clinically tested to reduce body mass index. In May 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about Hydroxycut products, indicating a serious health risk and a notice of recalled products.
Liver Damage
The FDA received at least 23 reports of potentially serious liver hazards associated with the use of Hydroxycut products. Conditions range from jaundice, elevated liver enzymes and liver damage so severe that a transplant was required. The FDA also received one report of a death due to liver failure. While still considered rare, patients who reported liver irregularities claimed to be following dosing instructions on the product’s label.
Seizures
In 2001, the University of Virginia Health System published a report in “Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy” describing convulsions and unconsciousness in a patient who had used Hydroxycut. A toxicology screening cleared the patient of drug and alcohol abuse. According to lead author, Denise R. Kockler, Pharm.D., the reaction may be attributed to the ephedra and high caffeine content in Hydroxycut products. This report was forwarded to the FDA and added to the list of possible health dangers associated with the weight loss supplements and was used, in part, as ammunition preceding the eventual U.S.-wide ban on ephedra.
Ephedra
Ephedra, often blamed for the health hazards associated with Hydroxycut supplements, was banned by the FDA in February of 2004. The herb, along with caffeine, may promote short-term weight loss and boost immediate physical performance. Hydroxycut containing ephedra is still sold in other countries and can be purchased online. According to the Rand Corporation, the herb increases the risk of nausea, vomiting, nervousness and heart palpitations and may be linked to sudden death, heart attacks and stroke.
Other Problems
Other health hazards reported to the FDA in association with use of Hydroxycut products include cardiovascular problems and a type of muscle condition that increases the risk for kidney disease. Products responsible for causing symptoms and those that prompted a recall are listed on the FDA website and include rapid release caplets, caffeine-free caplets, Hydroxycut Hardcore, regular and caffeine-free drink packets and liquid shots. While not legal, many of the Hydroxycut products recalled by the FDA can still be purchased online.
References
- Federal Drug Administration: Hydroxycut Side Effects and Recall
- “Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy”; Seizure Activity and Unresponsiveness After Hydroxycut Ingestion; D. R. Kockler et al.; May 2001
- Rand Corporation; Ephedra: Is It Worth the Risk?
- LawyersandSettlements.com: It May Be Banned, But PPH and Fen-Phen Still an Issue; Gordon Gibb; July 2009
- "Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics"; Enhanced Stimulant and Metabolic Effects of Combined Ephedrine and Caffeine; C. A. Haller et al.; April 2004
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