On May 1, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urged consumers to stop using Hydroxycut® diet aids because of the possibility of potentially fatal damage to the liver.  In its statement, the FDA cited 23 cases of serious liver damage, 16 that required hospitalization, two that required liver transplants, and one that resulted in death.  According to a letter published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, our current knowledge "may underestimate the true incidence of [liver damage from Hydroxycut®] by several degrees of magnitude."

If you were diagnosed with liver damage, or believe you suffered liver damage while or after taking Hydroxycut®, schedule a Hydroxycut® injury lawsuit consultation with the product liability lawyers at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton today to learn more about your legal options.

 

Symptoms of Liver Damage from Hydroxycut®

 

Liver damage from Hydroxycut® is progressive.  Early symptoms of liver damage are often hard to detect, but as it progresses, symptoms becomes more distinct.  A common progression of symptoms is:

• Fatigue
• Generalized feeling of being unwell
• Nausea and lack of appetite
• Pale, often loose stool
• Accumulation of liquid in your abdomen and/or legs
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• Easily bruised skin and delayed healing
• Cognitive damage including an inability to remember, concentrate, or sleep

 

As with all progressive conditions, earlier treatment is better treatment.  If you believe you have suffered liver damage from Hydroxycut®, of course you should stop taking the product and you should seek a professional opinion.

 

Treatment of Liver Damage from Hydroxycut®

 

In its early stages, liver damage is readily treatable.  Often, the only treatment necessary is stopping exposure to Hydroxycut® and the liver will heal itself. This happened for most cases of liver toxicity resulting from Hydroxycut®. Sometimes hospitalization is necessary.  Once liver damage progresses beyond the liver's ability to heal itself, however, the only treatment available is a liver transplant, an expensive and dangerous operation that may require extended hospitalization.  You may have a long wait for a suitable donor organ.

 

Causes of Hydroxycut® Liver Damage

 

The FDA is not yet prepared to state a causal link between any of Hydroxycut's ingredients and liver damage.  However, Hydroxycut® is known to contain at least three different compounds potentially toxic to the liver:  Garcinia cambogia, chromium, and Camelia sinensis. Most hepatologists believe that G. cambogia, the source of hydroxycitric acid (HCA, the ingredient after which Hydroxycut® is named), is the primary culprit.  Although its toxicity is poorly studied, it has been associated with liver failure when used in combination with the asthma drug montelukast.  And the World Health Organization has associated it with liver toxicity.  Chromium has also been associated with liver damage.  When taken according the label's instructions, Hydroxycut® delivers twice the safe dose of chromium, according to the National Academy of Sciences.  C. sinensis, more commonly known as green tea, has been associated with acute liver damage and even liver failure.  The use of green tea extracts has been banned in at least two countries for the possibility of liver damage.

 

If you or a loved one suffered liver damage while taking Hydroxycut® or shortly thereafter, you may have a legal recourse for the injuries sustained.  Schedule a consultation about your Hydroxycut® injuries with Schlichter, Bogard & Denton today.