FDA warns consumers about more than 25 weight loss pills
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008
On December 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advised consumers not to buy or use more than 25 types of weight loss pills. These pills may seriously harm your health.
Some of the pills contain sibutramine, a controlled substance. Others contain rimonabant, a drug not approved for marketing in the U.S.; it can cause depression and suicidal thoughts. In some of the pills, the FDA found phenolphthalein, a suspected cancer-causing agent. Some ingredients in the pills far exceeded levels recommended by the FDA.
Some of the pills are marketed as dietary supplements and are promoted as being “natural” or “herbal.” In fact, the pills contain ingredients that can be harmful.
For a full list of the products, go to the FDA Web site. If you have been taking any of these pills, stop right away and talk to your health care provider.
Women who can become pregnant, pregnant women and children should not use herbal or dietary supplements without first getting approval from a health care provider. Some supplements and herbal ingredients have undergone extensive testing, but many have not been shown to be safe or effective.
If you are pregnant, do not try to lose weight during pregnancy; this can harm both you and your baby.
