Recent cases of hepatitis indicate that the fat-burning supplement, OxyElite Pro, may lead to liver failure, says Frenkel & Frenkel.
According to Hawaiian officials, 80 percent of patients in the 29 cases of hepatitis being investigated reported taking OxyElite Pro, a weight-loss supplement, in the 60 days prior to their diagnosis. The hepatitis cases led to two liver transplants and one death, and officials are investigating the link between the fat-burning supplement and liver failure. States Other Than Hawaii In addition to the cases under investigation in Hawaii, individuals in other states have also been diagnosed with acute hepatitis after taking OxyElite Pro and other weight-loss or muscle building supplements. OxyElite Pro is distributed by USPlabs LLC of Dallas and sold nationally as a weight-loss aid. The company believes that the problems are occurring with counterfeit products being marketed throughout the country, and not due to their product. Acute Hepatitis The first case of acute hepatitis was reported May 10, with more cases being reported throughout the spring and summer. The most recent case was diagnosed October 3, prompting an alert from the Centers for Disease Control for healthcare professionals to be on the lookout for patients experiencing hepatitis symptoms after they may have used the dietary supplement. Because the liver helps the body break down certain medications—a process that is slower in some people—there is the potential for liver damage from certain over-the-counter drugs. At this time it is not clear what substance in OxyElite Pro may have an effect on the liver. Food and Drug Administration Testing The Food and Drug Administration is collecting samples of the product in Hawaii and testing them to determine what substance could be responsible for the illnesses, and the agency is also inspecting the facilities where the product is manufactured. Hawaii’s state health department is urging stores to voluntarily remove the products until the investigation is complete. When an over-the-counter or prescription drug is suspected as the cause or a contributing factor in an illness that causes injury or death, a product liability claim may be in order. Contact Dallas-Fort Worth lawyers at Frenkel & Frenkel to schedule a free initial consultation regarding products that may have caused or contributed to an illness or death.
