NEWS - Hydroxycut recall due to liver injuries

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Hydroxycut Recall Due to Liver Injuries

From WebMD Health News

from WebMD — a health information Web site for patients

Kathleen Doheny

May 4, 2009 — Fourteen Hydroxycut products, marketed as fat burners,

low-cost diet aids, and energy enhancers, are being recalled

voluntarily by the manufacturer after the FDA received 23 reports of

serious liver injuries ranging from jaundice to death.

The FDA announced the recall today at a news conference.

The recalled products 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 Caffeine-Free 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 and Liver Problems

At the news conference, Katz, MD, interim chief medical officer

of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said the

agency urges consumers to discontinue use of the Hydroxycut products.

Not affected by the recall are Hydroxycut Cleanse and Hoodia products.

The 23 reports of adverse effects include liver damage, elevated liver

enzymes (which indicates potential liver damage) and liver damage

requiring a transplant. A 19-year-old man died after using Hydroxycut.

" The death occurred in 2007, " Katz says, " and was reported to the

agency at the end of March 2009. "

" Hydroxycut products contain a variety of ingredients and herbal

extracts, " Katz said. The FDA has not yet determined which ingredients

or doses are associated with the liver problems, according to Katz.

Other reported health problems include cardiovascular problems,

seizures, and serious muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis) that can cause

kidney failure.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/702283

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