Hydroxycut Side Effects

Hydroxycut is a nutritional supplement contained in products made and marketed by Iovate Health Sciences Inc. under the brand names Iovate and MuscleTech. The company claims that hydroxycut products, which contain herbal extracts, chemicals and even metals among other ingredients, help consumers lose weight. Hydroxycut is the top selling product in the dietary supplements for weight loss market, which is made up of approximately 15 percent of the U.S. population.

Since its release, hydroxycut, which is sold through conventional retailers, online, and through direct television marketing, has been criticized for its promoter’s exaggerated claims with inadequate research to support them. A 2003 lawsuit, for example, alleged that in its advertising, MuscleTech Research and Development, Inc falsely claimed that hydroxycut was "clinically proven" to be a "fat-burner." MuscleTech settled the case for $100,000 but denied any wrongdoing.

More seriously, however, a study conducted in April 2009 found that a number of case reports "may underestimate the true incidence of hepatotoxicity by several degrees of magnitude." The case reports raise questions over hydroxycitric acid, another ingredient in hydroxycut after which the product is named that is potentially hepatotoxic.

Then in May 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers to discontinue using Hydroxycut products after the agency received 23 reports of serious health problems associated with its use. The health problems reported include:

• Elevated liver enzymes (an indicator of potential liver injury)
• Liver damage requiring a liver transplant
• Jaundice
• Rhabdomyolysis (a type of muscle damage that can lead to other serious health problems including kidney failure)
• Seizure
• Cardiovascular disorders
• Death

Iovate agreed to recall Hydroxycut products from the market. A new formula of Hydroxycut, however, is now back on store shelves.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of using a hydroxycut product, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a qualified pharmaceutical injury attorney for an evaluation of your case.