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Hydroxycut recalled after injuries and one death

On Behalf of | Aug 15, 2016 | Pharmaceutical Liability |

Hydroxycut was popular in Canada before the 2009 recall, with millions of units sold. The companies that produced it, Health Sciences Inc. and Muscletech Research and Development Inc., marketed it as a drug that could be used for weight loss. It is, in actuality, an herbal supplement. It is made with green tea extract.

The supplement was recalled, though, when serious health complications started showing up. In Canada alone, there were 17 such reports. They included adverse reactions that were related to the respiratory system, the neurological system, the gastrointestinal system and the cardiovascular system. In addition to these issues, people reported rhabdomyolysis and seizures. Rhabdomyolysis causes significant muscle damage, and it has been tied to kidney failure.

These issues were not just isolated to Canada, however. The US Food and Drugs Administration — or the FDA — had similar findings across the border. Those who used Hydroxycut in the United States had run into similar health issues like elevated liver enzymes, jaundice, and liver failure and injury. In some cases, liver transplants were needed. In one case, a person died because of liver failure.

It has been noted that the people who were injured or killed did not abuse Hydroxycut or take it incorrectly. They just took the amount that was recommended. That’s why it eventually had to be recalled as an unsafe supplement.

Though it has now been pulled from the shelves, in all 14 of its variations, those who suffered injuries in the past may still be interested in seeking financial compensation for those injuries if they used Hydroxycut as it was directed and were harmed anyway.

Source: Rochon Genova, “Update – November 22, 2013. Plaintiffs deliver revised certification materials and a further representative plaintiff is added in Hydroxycut class action,” accessed Aug. 12, 2016