A weight-loss supplement (or “diet pill”) may seem like a good idea for people who have tried everything to lose weight. Unfortunately, weight-loss supplements have been associated with some severe side effects. They are rarely safety tested and many contain hidden pharmaceutical ingredients. If you were injured, you are not alone.
Do I Have a Weight Loss Supplement Lawsuit? 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 has been injured after taking a weight-loss supplement, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Weight-Loss Supplement Lawsuit.
Weight Loss Supplements Overview
Weight-loss supplements are dietary supplements (vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc.) that manufacturers usually claim can cause miraculous weight-loss. They may be sold in pills, sprinkled on food, or mixed into drinks. Unfortunately, no dietary supplement is effective without dietary changes, calorie reduction, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Although diet and exercise are proven ways to lose weight, dietary supplements are not. Experts warn that most weight-loss supplements are completely ineffective, and some can have life-threatening side effects.
What Should I Do?
Talk to your doctor before taking any weight-loss supplement. Some dietary supplements can harm your health, the health of your unborn baby if you are pregnant, or interact with other medications you might be taking. Several dietary supplements have been linked to higher risks of liver damage, heart problems, and more.
Examples of weight-loss supplements linked to serious side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Sibutramine: Appetite-suppressant drug sold under the brand-name Meridia from 1997-2010, when it was banned over concern about heart attacks, stroke, irregular heart rhythm, cardiac arrest, and more.
- Phenolphthalein: Laxative sold over-the-counter for most of the 20th century — pulled off the market over concern about cancer.
- Bitter orange (synephrine): This is a stimulant similar to ephedra. It can cause increases in blood pressure and heart rhythm, which increases the risk of a heart attack
- Chromium picolinate: Although the body needs small amounts of chromium, it is easy to get enough of this nutrient by eating a healthy diet. Too much of this metal can cause cognitive changes, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and liver damage. Furthermore, it may interact with insulin medications.
- DMAA (germanium extract): Although this drug was advertised as a natural botanical extract, the FDA determined it was an illegal synthetic drug that could increase heart rate and blood pressure. It may have caused two heart attack deaths. Sales of DMAA are now restricted.
- Hydroxycut: This product was recalled in 2009 after being linked to liver damage, seizures, rhabdomyolysis (kidney problems), liver failure, and death.
- HGC Hormone: This hormone is collected from the human placenta. In 2011, the FDA sent several warning letters to HGC manufacturers for making unsubstantiated health claims, and recommending that people go on a dangerous 500 calorie per-day diet. Such drastic calorie reduction could be seriously harmful.
- And more: If you have suffered an injury caused by a weight-loss supplement, contact a lawyer at The Clark Firm, LLP immediately.
Weight Loss Supplement Liver Damage
Recently, a study has identified weight-loss supplements as a leading cause of liver damage. The researchers looked at data on 93 cases of liver damage that were associated with dietary supplements. They found that 26% of liver injuries were caused by weight-loss supplements. Furthermore, 7% of the supplement-induced liver injuries required a liver transplant.
Symptoms of liver damage include:
- Jaundice (discoloration of the skin, eyes — may appear yellow)
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Itching skin
- Dark urine
- Pale, bloody, tar-colored stool
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Lack of appetite
Weight-Loss Supplement Heart Attacks
Many types of weight-loss supplements are stimulants, which excite the body’s metabolism and help burn more calories. One serious side effect of stimulant drugs is that they can increase blood pressure and heart rate, which increases the risk of irregular heart rhythm, heart attacks, cardiac arrest, and death.
One recent example of a weight-loss supplement linked to heart attacks is DMAA. The FDA has recently restricted sales of this ingredient. Before the FDA took action, it was an ingredient in more than 200 dietary supplements. Experts became concerned after DMAA was found in the bloodstream of two soldiers who died of heart attacks during routing physical training. DMAA is known to increase blood pressure and heartrate, which may have contributed to their deaths. Upon further investigation, the FDA determined that DMAA was a synthetic drug and not eligible for use in dietary supplements. However, by the time the FDA took action, at least 42 people had reported a serious injury.
Side Effects of Weight-Loss Supplements
If you or a loved one has been injured by a weight-loss supplement, you are not alone. The dietary supplement injury attorneys at The Clark Firm, LLP are now accepting claims in all 50 states. If you were injured, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation for your past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and more.
Weight-loss supplement side effects may include, but are not limited to:
- Kidney damage
- Kidney failure
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Pancreatitis
- Heart palpitations
- Increased blood pressure
- Irregular heart rhythm
- Heart attack
- Cardiac arrest
- Seizures
- Permanent disability
- Death
- And more
Do I have a Weight Loss Supplement Lawsuit?
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 us for a free Weight Loss Supplement Lawsuit review.