Iovate Health Sciences Inc., of Oakville, Ontario and distributed by Iovate Health Sciences USA Inc. of Blasdell, New York have issued a recall on the following Hydroxycut products because they may cause liver disease:

Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets
Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets
Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
Hydroxycut 24
Hydroxycut Carb Control
Hydroxycut Natural

The Hydroxycut recall was issued on May 1, 2009. At least as early as 2005, there were recorded cases of liver injury--specifially acute hepatitis--associated with use of certain Hydroxycut products.¹

For those who have suffered liver injury, including hepatitis and liver failure, an Iovate Health Sciences lawsuit would seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, disability, and pain and suffering. To contact a lawyer at Pritzker Olsen for a free consultation, please call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.

Iovate Health Sciences Hydroxycut Case Studies

Case Study 1:

A 40-year-old female with a prior medical history notable only for hypothyroidism and diet-controlled hyperlipidemia presented to the Emergency Department with 3 d of new-onset crampy, mid-epigastric abdominal pain and non-bloody diarrhea. She noted subjective fevers and chills, and two isolated episodes of nausea and vomiting, anorexia and profound fatigue. One week prior to presentation, she began using Hydroxycut, 6 pills daily in preparation for a bodybuilding competition. . . She denied taking any other supplements or alternative medications. . . Her laboratory profile on admission revealed an acute hepatitis, inflammation of liver cells.²

The patient tested negative for hepatitis A, B and C, ruling out viral hepatitis.

Case Study 2:

A 33-year-old female with a prior medical history of a pituitary adenoma presented to the Emergency Department with 1 mo of new-onset jaundice. She reported a flu-like illness of 2 wk duration with nausea and crampy abdominal pain and began to experience jaundice, acholic stools, dark-colored urine, pruritus, and profound fatigue. These symptoms appeared to be improving during the week prior to admission except for worsening jaundice and fatigue. She noted that during the month prior to admission, she had taken Hydroxcut supplements for 2 wk to help achieve weight loss, but discontinued this medication upon onset of symptoms. She additionally reported eating lobster during the month prior to admission, but could not recall other individuals who became ill. Her only medication was Ortho-Novum contraceptive, which she had been taking for 2.5 years. Her social history was unremarkable without regular alcohol ingestion, and the absence of risk factors for chronic viral hepatitis. She was afebrile with stable vital signs, and normal body mass index. Her exam was notable only for jaundice and scleral icterus. She had no liver enlargement and no stigmata of chronic liver disease. Her laboratory profile at admission was notable for acute hepatitis.²

The patient also tested negative for hepatitis A, B and C.

References: 1. Stevens T, Qadri A, Zein N, Two patients with acute liver injury associated with the use of the herbal weight loss supplement Hydroxycut, Annals of Internal Medicine, March 2005, 142(6):477-78. 2. Jones FJ an dAndrews AH, Acute liver injury associated with the herbal supplement Hydroxcycutin a soldier deployed to Iraq, October 2007, 102(10): 2357-8.

Labels: Hydroxycut, Iovate