By Judith Graham - WARNING - Weight Loss Products

Written on April 11, 2009

Originally posted: March 20, 2009

FDA warns consumers about weight loss products

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a new alert about weight loss products tainted by potentially dangerous ingredients.

Many of the products claim to be "natural" or "herbal" but include drugs, sometimes in much higher dosages than are recommended.

“These tainted weight loss products pose a great risk to public health because they contain undeclared ingredients and, in some cases, contain prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed their maximum recommended dosages,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA.

Drugs found include sibutramine (a controlled substance), phenytoin (an anti-seizure medication), phenolphthalein (a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer causing agent), and bumetanie (a diuretic), the FDA said.  Another drugrimonabant, hasn't been approved for use in the U.S. and has been associated with the increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts.

Altogether, the FDA has found 72 tainted weight loss products since it first brought the issue to public attention in December.  Obviously, it's not a good idea to take any product that appears on the list, which appears below.