The FDA has again issued a nationwide alert to consumers about weight loss products that have been “spiked” with undeclared drugs. The FDA identified Herbal Zenicol, Slimbionic, and Xsvelten, bringing its list of adulterated weight loss products to a total of 72 products. The products were spiked with fenproporex (a controlled substance not approved for marketing in the United States), fluoxetine (an antidepressant available by prescription only), furosemide (a potent diuretic available by prescription only), and cetilistat (an experimental obesity drug not approved for marketing in the United States). In the supplements the FDA previously found to be spiked, the supplements contained sibutramine (a controlled substance), rimonabant (a drug not approved for marketing in the United States), phenytoin (an anti-seizure medication), and phenolphthalein (a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer causing agent).
The FDA has warned that some of the supplements contained drugs far in excess of the maximum recommended dosage of the drug. The risks posed by these products include high blood pressure, seizures, tachycardia, palpitations, heart attack, or stroke.
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