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On March 20, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) further expanded its nationwide alert about tainted weight loss products containing undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients. The alert now lists more than 70 weight loss products that may be harmful.
FDA initially alerted consumers against using certain tainted weight loss products on Dec. 22, 2008. The agency expanded that alert on Jan. 8, 2009. The alert issued on March 20, 2009, identifies three additional weight loss products (Herbal Xenicol, Slimbionic, and Xsvelten) and four new undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients (fenproporex, fluoxetine, furosemide, and cetilistat).
For the latest list of tainted weight loss products, visit www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01977.html
These tainted weight loss products pose a great risk to public health because they contain undeclared ingredients and, in some cases, prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed maximum recommended dosages.
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 FDA, are illegal, and may be potentially harmful to unsuspecting consumers.
The risks posed by these products can be very serious and include high blood pressure, seizures, rapid heartbeat, palpitations, heart attack, and stroke.
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 and beauty salons.
FDA has inspected a number of companies associated with the sale of these illegal products and is currently seeking product recalls. Based on FDA's inspections and the companies' inadequate responses to recall requests, the agency may take additional enforcement steps, such as issuing warning letters or initiating seizures, injunctions, or criminal charges.
This article appears on FDA's Consumer Health Information Web page (www.fda.gov/consumer), which features the latest updates on FDA-regulated products. Sign up for free e-mail subscriptions at www.fda.gov/consumer/consumerenews.html.
Protect Your Health: Joint FDA/WebMD resource
www.webmd.com/fda
FDA Press Release
www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01977.html
Information for Consumers
www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/weight_loss_products.htm
FDA MedWatch
www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
Updated: March 27, 2009