FDA: Stop using Hydroxycut products

U.S. officials are warning consumers to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products because they have been linked to a number of liver injuries.

The Food and Drug Administration urges consumers to discontinue use of Hydroxycut products in order to avoid any undue risk, Dr. Linda Katz, interim chief medical officer of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, said in a statement.

Adverse events are rare, but exist. Consumers should consult a physician or other health care professional if they are experiencing symptoms possibly associated with these products.

The dietary supplements, produced by Iovate Health Sciences Inc., of Oakville, Ontario, and distributed by Iovate Health Sciences USA Inc. of Blasdell, N.Y., are associated with a number of serious liver injuries. Iovate has agreed to recall Hydroxycut products from the market, the FDA said.

The FDA has received 23 reports of serious health problems ranging from jaundice, elevated liver enzymes — an indicator of potential liver injury. One patient needed a liver transplant and one person died. Liver injury, although rare, was reported by patients at the doses of Hydroxycut recommended on the bottle, the FDA said in a statement.

Hydroxycut products are dietary supplements marketed for weight-loss, as fat burners, as energy-enhancers, as low-carb diet aids and for water loss under the Iovate and MuscleTech brand names.