Dangerous weight-loss products

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2008


Media Inquiries:
Rita Chappelle, 240-753-8603
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA

FDA Expands Warning to Consumers About Tainted Weight Loss Pills
List increases from 28 to 69 products; Agency seeking recalls

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expanding its nationwide alert to consumers about tainted weight loss pills that contain undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients. On December 22, 2008, FDA warned consumers not to purchase or consume 28 different products marketed for weight loss. Since that time, FDA analysis has identified 41 more tainted weight loss products that may put consumers’ health at risk.

The tainted weight loss products are:

Fatloss Slimming


2 Day Diet


3x Slimming Power

Japan Lingzhi 24 Hours Diet


5x Imelda Perfect Slimming


3 Day Diet

7 Day Herbal Slim


8 Factor Diet


7 Diet Day/Night Formula

999 Fitness Essence


Extrim Plus


GMP

Imelda Perfect Slim


Lida DaiDaihua


Miaozi Slim Capsules

Perfect Slim


Perfect Slim 5x


Phyto Shape

ProSlim Plus


Royal Slimming Formula


Slim 3 in 1

Slim Express 360


Slimtech


Somotrim

Superslim


TripleSlim


Zhen de Shou

Venom Hyperdrive 3.0


Starcaps


Slim Waistline

Slim Waist Formula


Slim Up


Sliminate

Slim Fast


2x Powerful Slimming


Slim Express 4 in 1

Reduce Weihgt


Super Fat Burner


Super Slimming

Sana Plus


Trim 2 Plus


Powerful Slim

Waist Strength Formula


Slimming Formula


Perfect Slim Up

Slim Burn


Slim 3 in 1 Slim Formula


Slim 3 in 1 M18 Royal Diet

Slim 3 in 1 Extra Slim Waist Formula


Slim 3 in 1 Extra Slim Formula


Natural Model

2 Day Diet Slim Advance


Miaozi MeiMiaoQianZiJiaoNang


Meizitang

Meili


JM Fat Reducer


Imelda Fat Reducer

7 Days Diet


Extrim Plus 24 Hour Reburn


Fasting Diet

Cosmo Slim


Body Slimming


Body Shaping

Body Creator


BioEmagrecin


3 Days Fit

21 Double Slim


Eight Factor Diet


7 Diet

An FDA analysis found that the undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients in some of these products include sibutramine (a controlled substance), rimonabant (a drug not approved for marketing in the United States), phenytoin (an anti-seizure medication), phenolphthalein (a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer causing agent) and bumetanide (a diuretic). Some of the amounts of active pharmaceutical ingredients far exceeded the FDA-recommended levels, putting consumers' health at risk.

These weight loss products, some of which are marketed as “dietary supplements,” are promoted and sold on various Web sites and in some retail stores. Some of the products claim to be “natural” or to contain only “herbal” ingredients, but actually contain potentially harmful ingredients not listed on the product labels or in promotional advertisements. These products have not been approved by the FDA, are illegal and may be potentially harmful to unsuspecting consumers.

The FDA advises consumers who have used any of these products to stop taking them and consult their healthcare professional immediately. The FDA encourages consumers to seek guidance from a healthcare professional before purchasing weight loss products.

“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 their maximum recommended dosages,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA. “Consumers have no way of knowing that these products contain powerful drugs that could cause serious health consequences. Therefore FDA is taking this action to protect the health of the American public.”

The FDA has inspected a number of companies associated with the sale of these illegal products, and is currently seeking product recalls. Based on the FDA’s inspections and the companies’ inadequate responses to recall requests, the FDA may take additional enforcement steps, such as issuing warning letters or initiating seizures, injunctions, or criminal charges.

The health risks posed by these products can be serious; for example, sibutramine, which was found in many of the products, can cause high blood pressure, seizures, tachycardia (rapid heart beat), palpitations, heart attack or stroke. This drug can also interact with other medications that patients may be taking and increase their risk of adverse drug events. The safety of sibutramine has also not been established in pregnant and lactating women, or in children younger than 16 years of age.

Rimonabant, another ingredient found in these products, was evaluated, but not approved by the FDA for marketing in the United States. The drug, which is approved in Europe, has been associated with increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and has been linked to five deaths and 720 adverse reactions in Europe over the last two years.

Health care professionals and consumers should report serious adverse events (side effects) or product quality problems to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, fax or phone.

* Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
* Regular Mail: use postage-paid FDA form 3500 available at: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm and mail to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787
* Fax: (800) FDA-0178
* Phone: (800) FDA-1088

Information for consumers can be found at:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/weight_loss_products.htm

To learn more about FDA’s initiative against unapproved drugs read FDA’s Compliance Policy Guide here: http://www.fda.gov/cder/Guidance/6911fnl.htm.

For drug safety information, read: FDA's Drug Safety Initiative

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