The Hawaiian Department of Health (DOH) just announced an acute heptatitis and liver failure outbreak linked to USPlab’s OxyELITE Pro and other dietary supplements for weight loss and/or muscle gain. Originally, 7 cases were reported, but that number has now skyrocketed to 32. Sufferers are experiencing symptoms from acute hepatitis to liver failure, and many are being evaluated for liver transplants. So far, all reported cases are from Hawaii.
Dr. Sarah Park, the Hawaii State Epidemiologist who issued the alert, explained: These are young, previously healthy adults, whose severe cases are “probably the tip of the iceberg.”
In April 2012, the FDA sent a warning letter to USPlabs, the manufacturer of the dietary supplements OxyELITE Pro and Jack3d, because the products contained the dangerous, FDA-banned drug ingredient DMAA. DMAA can cause cardiovascular problems (chest pain, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, heart attack), tremors, heat stroke, seizures, renal (kidney) failure, (hepatic) liver failure, rhabdomyolysis, loss of consciousness, headaches, anxiety, and other neurological and psychological conditions. Several countries have outlawed DMAA.
But it was not until 6 weeks ago, August 21, that USPlabs agreed to destroy all remaining products containing DMAA sitting in its warehouse. Although Hawaii health authorities have confirmed that USPlabs’ OxyELITE Pro is linked to the outbreak, they caution people who take any dietary supplements for weight loss and/or muscle gain to immediately consult a doctor regarding the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Jaundice
The Hawaii DOH, FDA, and CDC are investigating adverse event reports regarding liver failure and acute hepatitis linked to dietary supplements. Whether the DMAA ingredient caused the hepatotoxic outbreak is currently unknown.
If you or someone you love has suffered from liver failure while on OxyELITE Pro or any other dietary supplement, please call us (1-800-644-1734) today.
