If you're asking, “Wasn't Hydroxycut just pulled off the shelves?” – you're right. It's only been four months since Iovate Health Sciences recalled
14 products after the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) linked the drugs to serious liver damage and death. While the product has been reformulated, there are hundreds of
Hydroxycut lawsuits still pending against the company and
distributors who sold the metabolic booster products used by dieters and bodybuilders to lose weight.
What's changed?
Many of the recalled Hydroxycut products contained hydroxycitrate acid (a carbohydrate blocker which is extracted from tropical fruit), white tea extract, calcium, gymnema sylvestre (a tropical herb), green tea extract, chromium, guarana, potassium, willow bark extract, and soy. Reformulated Hydroxycut products, such as Hydroxycut Advanced, Hydroxycut Hardcore X and Hydroxycut Max Advanced, now contain vitamin C, goji berries, acerola, and blueberries. What ingredient has not changed? Caffeine.
Hundreds of Hydroxycut product liability lawsuits still pending
Hydroxycut lawyers say that hundred of lawsuits have been filed against Iovate after users reported serious health problems such as cardiovascular disorders, elevated liver enzymes, jaundice, excessive fatigue, itching, liver damage, loss of appetite, nausea, rhabdomyolysis (a type of muscle damage that may lead to kidney failure), seizures, stomach pain, vomiting, light-colored stools and weakness. At least one death has been attributed to Hydroxycut usage. So, are the reformulated products now safe to use? That's anybody's guess as they aren't regulated by the FDA.
Herbal supplements not regulated by FDA
Hydroxycut products are herbal supplements and therefore, not regulated by the FDA – something many consumers do not realize. Regardless of regulatory issues, herbal supplement manufacturers are liable for any injuries their products cause. An experienced drug litigation attorney will be able to evaluate your situation and explain what options might be available to you.
