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Yes. Herbal health products or supplements can affect the way the body processes drugs. When this happens, your medicine may not work the way it should. For example, St. John’s wort reduces the amount of certain drugs absorbed by the body. This may mean the drugs aren’t absorbed at high enough levels to help the conditions for which they are prescribed. This can cause serious problems.
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You should be especially cautious about using herbal health products or supplements if you take a drug in one of the following categories:
- Drugs to treat depression, anxiety or other psychiatric problems
- Anti-seizure drugs
- Blood thinners
- Blood pressure medicine
- Heart medicine
- Drugs to treat diabetes
- Cancer drugs
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Earlier this year, Hydroxycut dietary supplements, marketed as weight loss aids, were recalled by the manufacturer, Iovate Health Sciences USA, Inc., in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall was prompted by reports to the FDA of possible liver damage and a possible death due to liver failure among users of Hydroxycut.
The Hydroxycut brand was previously owned by Muscletech Research and Development, which is still in business marketing supplements for body builders. The Muscletech Hydroxycut formulation was withdrawn from the market when the FDA banned the stimulant ephedra, one of its principal ingredients.
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Yes. Herbal products and supplements may not be safe if you have certain health problems. You also may be at increased risk of problems from these products if you are elderly. Talk to your doctor before taking herbal products if you have any of the following health problems:
- Blood clotting problems
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- An enlarged prostate gland
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Immune system problems
- Psychiatric problems
- Parkinson’s disease
- Liver problems
- Stroke
- Thyroid problems
If you are going to have surgery, be sure to tell your doctor if you use herbal products. Herbal products can cause problems with surgery, including bleeding and problems with anesthesia. Stop using herbal products at least 2 weeks before surgery, or sooner if your doctor recommends it.
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Cardiovascular, Kidney Troubles Also Suspected
In addition to liver damage complaints, the Iovate Hydroxycut products recalled are suspected of causing cardiovascular symptoms and a muscular disorder than can cause kidney failure, as well as nausea and vomiting, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, and acne outbreaks.
In the absence of ephedra, Hydroxycut, like many products sold as weight-loss aids, relies heavily on caffeine to increase metabolism and decrease appetite. While this could explain some reported symptoms, others are not yet fully understood.
Product Liability Lawsuits Filed
Defective product liability lawsuits have been filed in several states by Hydroxycut users who suspect the products of causing health issues. Among the first was a class action suit in Tennessee. Other litigants are choosing to pursue individual suits, not wanting to forfeit the possible advantage of arguing facts unique to their cases.
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