Telephone: 1-850-444-9500 | Toll Free: 1-888-839-3775
HYDROXYCUT
January 26, 2010. In the most recent study of the controversial diet aid Hydroxycut, researchers reported in the American Journal of Gastroenterology 17 cases of liver damage among Hydroxycut users that had not yet appeared in the medical literature. The study concluded that there was a greater than 95 percent likelihood that the weight-loss aid was to blame for the patients' liver damage.
In their analysis, researchers reviewed the records of 17 cases of liver damage reported with Hydroxycut use. Other causes of liver disease, such as hepatitis and autoimmune disease, were ruled out. According to one of the authors, "[m]ost people who take these weight-loss supplements are otherwise healthy, and they are usually young." The average age of patients in this study was about 30. Some of the patients developed severe liver disease, with 3 of the patients requiring liver transplants. These findings strengthen the evidence that Hydroxycut itself has caused liver damage in some users according to the authors of the study.
The recalled Hydroxycut products contained a mix of herbs and other ingredients, like caffeine. Investigators have not yet determined which substances might be behind the liver damage. Shortly after the May recall, Hydroxycut's manufacturer came out with a "reformulated" weight-loss product called Hydroxycut Advanced which the company says now contains blueberry extracts, vitamin C and other antioxidants, plus caffeine as the "key" ingredient.
May 1, 2009. The lawyers at our firm are offering free consultations to victims of Hydroxycut side effects. Hydroxycut products, a popular line of weight loss and fat burning supplements, have been linked to serious liver problems and other side effects. A variety of Hydroxycut products were recalled in May 2009, and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers to immediately stop taking the recalled supplements. At the time of the recall, Hydroxycut products had been implicated in at least one fatal case of liver damage. Read FDA announcement
Hydroxycut products are marketed for weight-loss, as fat burners, as energy-enhancers, as low carb diet aids, and for water loss under the Iovate and MuscleTech® brand names. They are manufactured by Iovate Health Sciences Inc., of Oakville, Ontario Canada and distributed by Iovate Health Sciences U.S.A., Inc. of Blasdell, NY. At the time of the Hydroxycut recall, the FDA said it had received 23 reports of liver problems in people who used Hydroxycut. In addition to one fatality linked to the product, the FDA said some of the Hydroxycut liver problems had resulted in the need for a liver transplant.
The injuries reported to the FDA occurred in persons between 21 and 51 years of age. No other cause for liver disease was identified. In the majority of cases, no preexisting medical condition that would predispose the consumer to liver injury was identified. In some cases, discontinuation of Hydroxycut usage resulted in recovery of liver function. Symptoms of liver injury include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes) and brown urine. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, excessive fatigue, weakness, stomach or abdominal pain, itching, and loss of appetite.
Based on the information available, the FDA said it could not determine exactly which ingredient or proprietary blends in Hydroxycut may be associated with liver injury. The agency also said it could not determine what other factors, such as health condition, length of use, dosage, or use along with other dietary supplements or drugs, may affect the risk of using Hydroxycut.
In its Hydroxycut health alert, the FDA said anyone taking the products could be at risk for liver damage or other side effects. Even people who had no pre-existing medical conditions have needed liver transplants after taking Hydroxycut. For that reason, the FDA and Iovate issued a wide-scale recall of Hydroxycut products.
The Hydroxycut products subject to the recall include:
- Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
- Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
- Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets
- Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets
- Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
- Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
- Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
- Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
- Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
- Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
- Hydroxycut 24
- Hydroxycut Carb Control
- Hydroxycut Natural Hydroxycut Hardcore 8 fl. oz. Grape Explosion
- Hydroxycut Hardcore 8 fl. oz. Triple Wildberry
- Hydroxycut 280ct-3 Pak Kit *Discontinued*
- Hydroxycut 280ct-6 Pak Kit *Discontinued*
- Hydroxycut 100ct-6 month supply (7 bottles+ 4 free) Kit
- Hydroxycut 2x60ct Club Pack US Kit
- Hydroxycut 100ct-1 month supply (1 bottle+1 free) Kit *Discontinued*
- Hydroxycut 58 cap 12-pack Target US Kit *Discontinued*
- Hydroxycut 100ct-3 month supply (4 bottles+2 free) Kit *Discontinued*
- Hydroxycut Sachet Twin Pack US Kit
- Hydroxycut Instant Weight Loss Shot 12 x 2oz - Wild berry US Kit
- Hydroxycut Hardcore Shredded Stack Kit120ct
- Hydroxycut 60 Rapid Release Caplets
The FDA has warned consumers to stop using the above Hydroxycut products immediately. Consumers who have any of the products involved in the recall were advised to stop using them immediately. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU WERE INJURED BY HYDROXYCUT, KEEP THE UNUSED PORTION OF PRODUCT AS IT IS POTENTIAL EVIDENCE IN YOUR LAWSUIT.
If you or someone you love used Hydroxycut, and suffered liver damage or other side effects associated with these products, you have valuable legal rights. Please fill out our online form, or call 1-850-444-9500 or toll free at 1-888-839-3775 to discuss your rights with one of the experienced Hydroxycut liver damage attorneys at our firm.
Evers & Preston, PL
609 West Chase Street
Pensacola, FL 32502-4711
Telephone: 1-850-444-9500 | Toll Free: 1-888-839-3775
