On May 1, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to consumers instructing them to immediately stop using 14 varieties of Hydroxycut® diet aids after receiving more than 20 reports of serious liver damage among users.  These reported injuries range from one death due to liver failure, complete liver failure requiring transplant, as well as other less serious injuries, such as jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, an indicator of potential liver injury.  In these cases, there were no other reported risk factors or diseases that could explain the liver damage.  Many who suffered liver damage resumed normal liver function after they stopped using Hydroxycut®.

 

In addition to liver injuries, Hydroxycut® has also been associated with other health problems including seizures, cardiovascular problems, and extensive muscle damage known as rhabdomyolysis.  If you have experienced any of these conditions following use of Hydroxycut®, you should consult a physician. 

 

If you have used any Hydroxycut® products and have suffered liver damage or have symptoms of liver damage or have experienced seizures, cardiovascular problems, or muscle damage, please contact the product liability attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton today to schedule a consultation about a possible Hydroxycut® lawsuit.

 

Symptoms of Liver Damage Due to Hydroxycut®

 

If you have been using Hydroxycut® as a weight loss or diet aid, watch for symptoms of liver damage:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes)
• Brown urine
• Nausea, loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Stomach or abdominal pain
• Pale stool
• Excessive fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath
• General feelings of being unwell
• Itching

 

If you have several of these symptoms, you may have suffered liver damage as a result of taking Hydroxycut®.  Stomach pain and jaundice are usually the earliest symptoms.

 

The Hydroxycut® Recall

 

Hydroxycut® has been linked to liver damage since 2002.  Through 2004, it was believed that liver damage associated with Hydroxycut® was due to the presence of ephedra in the diet supplement.  Ephedra was linked with many serious health effects, including heart attack and stroke.  Ephedra was banned from sale in the United States in 2004.  Subsequently, Hydroxycut® altered its formula.  However, users have continued to report liver damage associated with Hydroxycut®.  In March, 2009, the FDA began extensive investigations into the association between liver damage and Hydroxycut® after receiving repeated reports of serious liver injuries.  Investigators also looked at other serious health effects related to Hydroxycut®, which included seizures and heart problems ranging from palpitations to heart attack.  Nearly half of these heart-related effects occurred after Hydroxycut® was believed to be free of ephedra. 

 

The FDA Investigators consulted with liver toxicity experts about the significant reports of liver damage associated with Hydroxycut®, which caused the FDA to issue a warning letter to healthcare professionals alerting them that officials "believe [Hydroxycut®] presents a serious public health risk."  The FDA also urged physicians to re-review cases of hepatitis to assess whether those patients also used Hydroxycut®.  At the same time, the FDA issued a press release urging consumers to stop using the diet aid.

 

Only in response to the FDA’s action warning consumer about the health hazards associated with Hydroxycut, the manufacturer of Hydroxycut® issued a recall.  Here is the FDA's statement, including a list of all varieties of Hydroxycut® affected.

 

What You Should Do

 

If you are a current user of Hydroxycut®, you are urged to stop taking the diet aid.  If you have excess product, you should take it back to the place of purchase.  If you believe you suffered liver damage as a result of using this potentially dangerous product, please talk to a lawyer about your Hydroxycut®-related injury today.