Dangerous Weight Loss Products and Diet Pills Being Sold Online

The FDA says it may pursue criminal action against several companies that produce over-the-counter (OTC) weight loss supplements because these companies are refusing to take their dangerous diet pills off the shelves.

In the meantime, FDA is urging consumers not to use any of the weight loss and diet products below, as they may contain undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients that can be very harmful to your health. An analysis by the FDA has found that many of the pharmaceutical ingredients found in these OTC weight loss products and diet pills “far exceeded the FDA-recommended levels,” which could put consumers’ health at risk.

Dangerous OTC Diet Pill Ingredients

Meridia: Prescription Drug
Side effects include: Abdominal pain, acid indigestion, anxiety, back pain, constipation, cough increase, depression, dizziness, dry mouth, flu symptoms, headache, increased appetite, insomnia, joint pain, loss of appetite, loss of strength, nasal inflammation, nausea, nervousness, painful menstruation, rash, sinus inflammation, stomach ache and sore throat.

Rimonabant: Unapproved Drug
Was evaluated, but not approved by the FDA. The drug, which is approved in Europe, has been associated with increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and has been linked to five deaths and 720 adverse reactions in Europe over the last two years.

Phenytoin: Anti-Seizure Medication
Not approved for use over-the-counter, and may actually be found in these OTC diet pills in higher dosages than found in the actual prescription seizure medications.

Phenolphthalein: Carcinogen
Used in chemical experiments and is a suspected carcinogen. This is not approved by the FDA for human consumption.

Sibutramine: A Controlled Substance
Can cause high blood pressure, seizures, tachycardia, palpitations, heart attack or stroke. This drug can also interact with other medications that patients may be taking and increase their risk of side effects. The safety of sibutramine has also not been established in pregnant and lactating women, or in children younger than 16 years of age.

Weight Loss Pills Listed as “Tainted” on the FDA Website:

Fatloss Slimming
2 Day Diet
3x Slimming Power
Japan Lingzhi 24 Hours Diet
5x Imelda Perfect Slimming
3 Day Diet
7 Day Herbal Slim
8 Factor Diet
7 Diet Day/Night Formula
999 Fitness Essence
Extrim Plus
GMP
Imelda Perfect Slim
Lida DaiDaihua
Miaozi Slim Capsules
Perfect Slim
Perfect Slim 5x
Phyto Shape
ProSlim Plus
Royal Slimming Formula
Slim 3 in 1
Slim Express 360
Slimtech
Somotrim
Superslim
TripleSlim
Zhen de Shou
Venom Hyperdrive 3.0

These weight loss pills, some of which are marketed as “dietary supplements,” are promoted and sold on various Web sites and retail stores. 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 the FDA, are illegal and may be potentially harmful to unsuspecting consumers.

The FDA advises consumers who have used any of these products to stop taking them and consult their healthcare professional immediately. Consumers should always seek guidance from a doctor before taking any weight loss products or diet pills.

Janet Woodcock, M.D., Director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, says:

“Consumers have no way of knowing that these products contain powerful drugs that could cause serious health consequences. Therefore FDA is taking this action to protect the health of the American public.”

The FDA has inspected a number of companies associated with the sale of these illegal products, and is currently working to get these weight loss products recalled. Based on the FDA’s inspections and the companies’ inadequate responses to recall requests, the FDA may take additional enforcement steps, such as initiating seizures, or filing criminal charges against these “dietary supplement” companies.

If you have experienced any adverse health effects that you think may have something to do with these over-the-counter weight loss products, contact your doctor immediately. Then contact the FDA at the website or phone number below to report the adverse events:
Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
Phone: (800) FDA-1088
For more information: FDA Consumer Info on Weight Loss Products

Once you have notified your docotor and the FDA, you may want to consider legal action. These companies were putting dangerous pharmaceutical and chemical ingredients in their diet pills, many of which were marketed as “natural” and “herbal” and are now refusing to remove their products from the market at the FDA’s request.