FDA Issues Warning: Stop Using Hydroxycut

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the FDA's warning against the use of Hydroxycut, a dietary supplement linked to serious liver damage and at least one death. Participants explore the implications of this recall, the safety of dietary supplements, and comparisons to other substances like acetaminophen.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the effectiveness of dietary supplements like Hydroxycut, suggesting that a balanced diet and regular exercise are more reliable for health.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the potential scale of liver damage caused by Hydroxycut, with one participant suggesting that the actual number of affected individuals could be much higher than reported.
  • Comparisons are made to acetaminophen, with participants discussing its known risks and the significant number of liver failures attributed to it, questioning how these figures relate to Hydroxycut's impact.
  • One participant recalls the Fen Phen incident as a cautionary example of the dangers of self-medication and the risks associated with weight loss products.
  • There is a sentiment that the reliance on potentially harmful products for health is troubling, highlighting a broader concern about consumer behavior regarding dietary supplements.
  • Participants note that injuries from medications can occur even when used as directed, raising questions about the safety of Hydroxycut under normal usage conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are multiple competing views regarding the safety and necessity of Hydroxycut and dietary supplements in general. The discussion reflects a mix of concern, skepticism, and differing opinions on the risks associated with these products.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific cases and statistics related to liver damage from both Hydroxycut and acetaminophen, but the discussion lacks comprehensive data on the overall incidence of liver damage from these substances. There is also an acknowledgment of the potential for overdoses with any medication, complicating the assessment of Hydroxycut's safety.

Ivan Seeking
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WASHINGTON – Government health officials warned dieters and body builders Friday to immediately stop using Hydroxycut, a widely sold supplement linked to cases of serious liver damage and at least one death.

The Food and Drug Administration said the company that makes the dietary supplement has agreed to recall 14 Hydroxycut products. Available in grocery stores and pharmacies, Hydroxycut is advertised as made from natural ingredients. At least 9 million packages were sold last year, the FDA said...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090501/ap_on_he_me/us_med_diet_pill_recall
 
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OK. First, as someone who works out regularly and eats a balanced diet, I think it's ridiculous to expect a pill to make you healthy.

But come on...there were 9 million bottles sold, causing http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20090501/hydroxycut-recall-due-to-liver-injuries" .

How many liver failures are caused by acetaminophen...boldface to emphasize -

We determined the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of acetaminophen-induced ALF at 22 tertiary care centers in the United States. Detailed prospective data were gathered on 662 consecutive patients over a 6-year period fulfilling standard criteria for ALF (coagulopathy and encephalopathy), from which 275 (42%) were determined to result from acetaminophen liver injury. The annual percentage of acetaminophen-related ALF rose during the study from 28% in 1998 to 51% in 2003. Median dose ingested was 24 g (equivalent to 48 extra-strength tablets). Unintentional overdoses accounted for 131 (48%) cases, intentional (suicide attempts) 122 (44%), and 22 (8%) were of unknown intent.

http://acsresearch.swmed.edu/ALF/Articles/ALFLarson.pdf

I have no idea how many bottles of acetaminophen were sold, though.
 
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Tylenol sales are about $500 million a year alone...
 
These are only specific cases that were traced beyond a doubt to the product. The number of people that were killed or have suffered damage due to this specific product could be staggering in proportion to the number of people that have taken it.

People should not be self medicating. There is no need for this product to exist.

Who remembers the Fen Phen fiasco?

I stopped taking acetominophen years ago because I drink alcohol, and the two can be a lethal cocktail for your liver.
 
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It's sad people feel like they need to resort to harmful products in order to be healthy.
 
lisab said:
But come on...there were 9 million bottles sold, causing http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20090501/hydroxycut-recall-due-to-liver-injuries" .

How many liver failures are caused by acetaminophen...

The difference is when the injuries occur with proper use. Overdoses from not following package directions could happen with any medication, but if the medication causes damage when used as directed, then that's a bigger problem.
 
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