Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Nationwide
Americans spend billions of dollars every year on over-the-counter weight-loss supplements. Unlike prescription drugs, however, these dietary supplements are not reviewed and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and many have proven both ineffective and dangerous.
The Philadelphia product liability attorneys at Golomb & Honik are actively investigating claims from people who may have been harmed by weight-loss products sold with fraudulent claims and the use of deceptive tactics to hide potentially hazardous ingredients.
Dangers of Over-the-Counter Weight-Loss Products
Dietary supplements are not as tightly regulated as medication, and they are often marketed with limited evidence of effectiveness and without adequate warnings regarding potential side-effects.
Over-the-counter weight-loss supplements frequently feature deceptive nutritional information and sometimes include vague ingredients listings, which may include proprietary blends with made-up names designed to conceal the actual ingredients. Since 2005, hundreds of dietary supplements have been found to include dangerous ingredients banned by the FDA.
Among the readily available weight-loss supplements linked to health problems are:
- Hydroxycut
- hCG Activator
- HCG Platinum X-30
All three products, as well as retailers who sell them such as General Nutrition Centers (GNC), have been targeted in lawsuits alleging deceptive advertising and other negligent acts.
Weight-Loss Supplements and Health Concerns
Because over-the-counter dietary supplements do not undergo even the limited testing of prescription drugs, they tend to enter the marketplace with no information regarding the potential for side-effects, including allergic reactions, adverse interactions with prescription drugs, and the risk for corresponding health problems.
Some over-the-counter weight-loss supplements have been linked to an increased chance for severe medical conditions including:
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Kidney ailments
- Liver damage
- Pancreatitis
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Seizures
- Stroke
If you believe you may have suffered health problems related to the use of an over-the-counter weight-loss supplement, please contact the Philadelphia product liability attorneys at Golomb & Honik for a no-cost case evaluation. We welcome prospective clients from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and across the United States.
