A 27 year old United States Army soldier's career ended after he was medically discharged under unusual circumstances. He believes that Hydroxycut, the recently recalled weight loss drug, is to blame – and he's suing the drug's manufacturer, Iovate Health Sciences, for ending what could have been a life-long military career.

A dangerous “herbal” product

According to news reports in the Los Angeles Times and elsewhere, Robert Tropea was enlisted in the United States Army and stationed in Germany. Although already in good physical shape, he wanted to lose a few extra pounds. Like millions of others, he turned to the dietary supplement Hydroxycut to help him achieve his goal. Marketed as an herbal supplement, Tropea assumed that the product was safe.

However, in 2007, he began to experience severe muscle pains and his urine was black. Military doctors tested his organs and muscles for damage and discovered that his creatine kinase levels were 3,000 times the normal limit. He was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a disease that causes the breakdown of muscle tissues, kidney damage and could lead to death.

Product liability lawsuit filed

Tropea recently filed a product liability lawsuit against Iovate after losing his career in the Army and his strength. Once a strong man, he's said that he can't even pick up his three year old daughter. Like so many others, he thought that the supplement was regulated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). However, it – and so many other herbal supplements – is not.

Tropea's case will likely be the first individual case to go to trial, but many other class action lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer since the FDA revealed that it had received numerous reports of injuries including liver damage, elevated liver enzymes, jaundice, seizures, cardiovascular disorders, rhabdomyolysis, nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, excessive fatigue, weakness, stomach pain, itching and loss of appetite. One death has also been reported.

Hydroxycut Recalled products

Click here for a complete list of the Hydroxycut recalled products. If you've been injured, or believe you've been injured due to Hydroxycut use, contact an experienced attorney to discuss your situation and evaluate your options.