FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research director, Dr. Janet Woodcock, said: "These tainted weight-loss products pose a great risk to public health because they contain undeclared ingredients and, in some cases, contain prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed maximum recommended dosages."
"Consumers have no way of knowing that these products contain dangerous drugs that could cause serious consequences to their health," said Dr. Woodcock while speaking at a press conference.
Prior to the present alert issued nationwide, the FDA had listed 28 weight-loss products as risky for use or consumption on Dec. 22, 2008, after which 41 more products were added to its records for having unsafe ingredients.
The perilous ingredients in these products are undeclared active pharmaceuticals which consumers should avoid. The substances one should watch out for are:
- Fenproporex - a restricted substance not meant for sale in the U.S.
- Fluoxetine - an antidepressant on prescription only
- Bumetanide - potent diuretic on prescription only
- Furosemide - potent diuretic available by prescription only
- Rimonabant – not for sale in the U.S.
- Cetilistat - experimental drug not approved for sale in the U.S.
- Phenytoin – strictly-on-prescription antiseizure drug
- Phenolphthalein – assumed to be as a cancer
define-causing agent restricted in the U.S.
- Sibutramin - controlled substance whose elevated amounts can result in high blood pressure, seizures, stroke, tachycardiadefine (rapid heartbeat), heart attack, palpitations.
- Fenproporex - controlled substance known to cause arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) and even sudden death.
Currently, the FDA has identified 72 products targeting weight loss as risky and illegal, and is urging consumers to be careful not to purchase or consume them.
These products are sold as "dietary supplements", lure a wide population for targeted weight-loss, and some even claim to be "herbal" or "natural". However, the constituents are usually potentially dangerous and are not mentioned on the outer packaging or in the endorsing campaigns. The FDA claims that these ingredients are illicitly used and can prove fatal to the consumers.
More information regarding the unsafe constituents of weight loss products can be found on FDA's official website:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/weight_loss_products.htm
FDA also highlights its campaign against unapproved drugs. To know more on Compliance Policy Guide of FDA go to:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/Guidance/6911fnl.htm
The list of 72 products targeting weight-loss that are identified as risky and illegal now is as follows:
2 Day Diet
2 Day Diet Slim Advance
2x Powerful Slimming
3 Day Diet
3 Days Fit
3x Slimming Power
5x Imelda Perfect Slimming
7 Day Herbal Slim
7 Days Diet
7 Diet
7 Diet Day/Night Formula
8 Factor Diet
Eight Factor Diet
21 Double Slim
24 Hours Diet
999 Fitness Essence
BioEmagrecim
Body Creator
Body Shaping
Body Slimming
Cosmo Slim
Extrim Plus
Extrim Plus 24 Hour Reburn
Fasting Diet
Fatloss Slimming
GMP
Herbal Xenicol
Imelda Fat Reducer
Imelda Perfect Slim
JM Fat Reducer
Lida DaiDaihua
Meili
Meizitang
Miaozi MeiMiaoQianZiJiaoNang
Miaozi Slim Capsules
Natural Model
Perfect Slim
Perfect Slim 5x
Perfect Slim Up
Phyto Shape
Powerful Slim
ProSlim Plus
Reduce Weihgt
Royal Slimming Formula
Sana Plus
Slim 3 in 1
Slim 3 in 1 Extra Slim Formula
Slim 3 in 1 Extra Slim Waist Formula
Slim 3 in 1 M18 Royal Diet
Slim 3 in 1 Slim Formula
Slim Burn
Slim Express 4 in 1
Slim Express 360
Slim Fast (This product isn't related to the Slim-Fast line of meal replacement and related products.)
Slim Tech
Slim Up
Slim Waist Formula
Slim Waistline
Slimbionic
Sliminate
Slimming Formula
Somotrim
Starcaps
Super Fat Burner
Superslim
Super Slimming
Trim 2 Plus
Triple Slim
Venom Hyperdrive 3.0
Waist Strength Formula
Xsvelten
Zhen de Shou
Post new comment