OxyElite Pro Liver DamageIf you had liver damage from OxyElite Pro between April and October 2013, you are not alone. Dozens of liver injuries have been reported, including 11 people who were hospitalized, 2 people who had liver transplants, and one 48 year-old mother with seven children who died.

Need a Texas OxyElite Pro Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was injured by OxyElite Pro, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit in Texas.

OxyElite Pro Liver Damage

OxyElite Pro, one of the most popular weight-loss supplements in the U.S., was withdrawn from the market in October 2013 after it was associated with dozens of cases of liver damage in Hawaii. According to the FDA Safety Warning for OxyElite Pro on October 8, 2013:

“There have been 29 cases of acute non-viral hepatitis with an unknown cause identified in the state. The Hawaii DOH has reported that 24 of these cases share a common link to a dietary supplement product labeled as OxyElite Pro. Eleven of the 29 cases have been hospitalized with acute hepatitis, two cases have received liver transplants and one person has died. CDC is also looking at other cases of liver injury nationwide that may be related.”

Case Definition of OxyElite Pro Liver Damage

Diagnosis of liver damage in a patient who has used OxyElite Pro must satisfy criteria provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The case definition is:

“An individual with acute-onset hepatitis of unknown etiology that developed symptoms on or after April 1, 2013 following the use of a non-prescription weight loss or muscle building dietary supplement during the 60 days prior to illness onset.”

The patient must have ALT levels that are 4-times the upper-limit of normal. They must also have total bilirubin that is 2-times the upper-limit of normal. Physicians must also check for a wide range of other explanations for liver injury, such as a pre-existing medical condition, history of alcoholism, and others described on the CDC website.

Median laboratory values reported at the peak of illness were the following:

  • aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 1,128 IU/L;
  • alanine transaminase (ALT) 1,793 IU/L;
  • alkaline phosphatase 150 IU/L; and
  • total bilirubin 12.6 mg/dL.

What is Liver Damage?

Liver damage occurs when the liver is unable to filter toxins, poisons, and waste products from the bloodstream. Normally, special cells called hepatocytes (which make up 70-80% of the organ) convert harmful substances into byproducts that can be excreted in stools or urine. Hepatocytes have a limited ability to metabolize drugs. If enough of them are damaged, destroyed, or replaced with scar tissue, liver failure may occur.

Symptoms of Liver Damage

OxyElite Pro is associated with acute hepatitis, with symptoms of liver damage appearing rapidly. Hepatitis (liver inflammation) is most often associated with a virus, but it can also be caused by drug-induced liver toxicity. In some cases, symptoms may not appear right away. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) health investigators, OxyElite Pro liver damage may occur in a 60-day timeframe.

Symptoms of OxyElite Pro liver damage:

  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Loss of appetite
  • Jaundice (yellow discoloration of skin, eyes)
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Light-colored stools
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal pain (upper-right side)
  • Elevated liver enzyme levels

Complications of Liver Damage

The liver can repair itself from minor drug-induced toxicity, although recovery can take months. If damage is severe enough to cause tissue necrosis, the liver will form scar tissue when it heals. Minor scarring (called fibrosis) causes permanent liver damage, but it is not life-threatening. Severe scarring (called cirrhosis) impairs liver function. If liver failure occurs, a liver transplant is necessary to survive.

Need an OxyElite Pro Lawyer in Texas?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $60 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas OxyElite Pro lawyers for a free lawsuit review.

Meet Your Attorney

Collen A. Clark

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

“Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

To contact Collen, please fill out the contact form below:

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