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Liver Damage Linked to Hydroxycut

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently sent out an announcement warning consumers to stop using the Hydroxycut line of dietary supplement and weight-loss products. This urgent warning came after reports of a death of a 19-year-old man and other instances of liver failure and complications.

So far the FDA has received 23 reports of serious health problems among people using Hydroxycut. One person even required a liver transplant due to the severe liver damage that is believed to have been caused by Hydroxycut. Other consumers experienced problems with their heart and muscle damage that could potentially lead to kidney failure.

Hydroxycut is a popular weight-loss product that is sold across the country. The product line includes pills, drinks and powders used for energy enhancers, dietary supplements, and fat burners. According to the FDA, Iovate Health Sciences of Oakville, Ontario, the manufacturer, sold more than nine million units of this brand last year.

Fourteen Hydroxycut products have been voluntarily recalled by Iovate and its American distributor. The following is a list of products included in the recall:

• 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 Regular Rapid Release Caplets
• Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
• Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets
• Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets
• Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets

Hydroxycut Cleanse and Hoodia are not affected by this recall, as these products contain different ingredients.

This recent Hydroxycut recall has prompted questions regarding the FDA’s authority to regulate the dietary supplement industry and to protect consumers from injuries. Dietary supplements do not need the FDA’s approval to go on sale and it is up to the manufacturers to ensure and document the safety and effectiveness of the claims regarding their products.

The law that governs dietary supplements basically empowers the FDA to take action when a product that is currently on the market is identified as being harmful. Dr. Linda Katz, interim chief medical officer of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said that “part of the problem as you know is that FDA looks at dietary supplements from a postmarket perspective, so that an isolated incident is often difficult to follow.”

If you have sustained a Hydroxycut injury, you need to contact an experienced Boston injury lawyer at the law office of Kiley Law Group, LLP at 978-474-8670 or 800-410-2769.