FDA Issues Warning About Supplements That Contain Dangerous Drugs
Product liability attorney Eddie Farah has warned about so called “all natural” diet supplements that contain undeclared prescription drugs in previous blogs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have the same strict oversight power over supplements and herbal products that it has over prescription drugs, so supplements are not vetted as thoroughly before they reach the marketplace.
As a result, undeclared and dangerous prescription drugs can make their way into allegedly “all natural” supplements — which can lead to adverse drug interactions.
NBC News recently reported that a supplement called “Fat Zero” claimed to be an all-natural method for losing weight. However, the FDA revealed that the product was anything but “all-natural” and contained a prescription drug called sibutramine — a drug known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate. It was considered so dangerous it was pulled off the U.S. market in 2010.
The FDA is warning that several slimming supplements it has tested contain undeclared and potentially dangerous prescription drugs. One slimming supplement the FDA looked at — Fruit & Plant Slimming — not only contained sibutramine, but also contained phenolphthalein; a laxative that was pulled off the market because it was linked to higher cancer risks.
Sexual enhancement supplements have long been the target of FDA probes. They often contain the active ingredients of popular erectile dysfunction prescription drugs like Cialis, Levitra and Viagra. Those drugs can interact with nitrates found in other prescription drugs and may potentially lower a person’s blood pressure to dangerous and even deadly levels.
Eddie Farah urges you to be cautious and check with your doctor before beginning any supplement regimen. Just because a supplement or herbal product is labeled “all-natural” and is on a store shelf does not mean it is safe, or FDA approved.
If you have suffered an injury due to a dietary supplement, call Farah & Farah at (800) 533-3555. Or contact us online for a free review of your case.
