FDA Warns of Dangerous Dietary Supplement- Vows to Take Aggressive Action

There's something so insidious about some of these dietary supplement drugs. While there are many fine dietary supplements on the market, some of them are quite harmful.  For example, the dietary supplement Reumofan has been recognized by the FDA as a harmful supplement containing ingredients which could potentially cause serious harm to consumers.

With this kind of attention, the drug has reemerged under another name.  The new drug is being called "Wow."  According to the FDA, this harmful drug, once named Reumofan Plus, has simply changed its name.  Available on many sites under names such as gonepainfree.com and other generic sounding sites, this drug is now being marketed to treat a host of ailments, none of which the FDA can advocate its use to treat.

The Dangers of the Dietary Supplement Reumofan Plus

According to the FDA, Reumofan Plus has been marketed to treat a variety of ailments, including:

• arthritis
• muscle pain
• osteoporosis
• bone cancer

In truth, the FDA cites in their public warning released yesterday, that instead of a health benefit, consumers could experience the following serious injuries:

• liver damage
• serious bleeding events
• adrenal supression
• stroke, heart attack
• death

The FDA has previously warned that this drug could be very harmful to consumers and promises to take "aggressive action" in order to protect consumers.

If You Have Suffered Injury

Consumers who have taken either Wow or Reumofan Plus are encouraged to call their doctor immediately to determine whether they have injured themselves seriously.  Users are also encouraged to report any injuries to the FDA.  Any injured consumers are also encouraged to call a skilled personal injury attorney in order to potentially preserve their legal rights and obtain compensation for these injuries.

Can New Heart Medication Prevent Spikes in Winter Heart Failure?

Increased Risk of Heart Death in the Winter

A new study presented today at American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2012 asserts Americans are more likely to die from heart death in the winter.  Researchers at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles analyzed more than 1.5 million death certificates from 2005 to 2008.  They focused on cold climates and warm climates, drawing from Texas, Arizona, Georgia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Los Angeles County and the western half of Washington State.

According to researchers, people were 26% to 36% more likely to die of heart problems such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and other heart diseases in the winter regardless of locale.  However, with new heart drugs going through late stage trials, could this spike in winter heart death be curtailed?

New Heart Medication Seeks to Prevent This Heart Failure

Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis is hoping that as their trials for heart drug Serelaxin progress, they might be able to curtail heart death due to risky behaviors such as obesity and lack of exercise.  In its late stage trials, this drug has shown promise.  Novartis reports a 37% reduction in heart death after 6 months and an overall reduction in shortness of breath in patients by day 5.  However, it has not reached early goals of reducing symptoms at early intervals in therapy. 

Serelaxin is a recombinant form of the human hormone relaxin-2 which occurs naturally in both men and women.  It is intended to provide the following benefits in patients with heart disease:

• increase heart output
• decrease systemic vascular resistance
• modulate pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
• modulate n-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide

As the trials go on, the medical community will be looking to see if Serelaxin can live up to its claims. 

If Your Heart Medication Injurs You Instead

If your heart medication has injured you instead of helping you, you need to seek immediate medical attention.  And when you recover, you should speak to a skilled product liability attorney to discuss how we can help you win the compensation you need to recover your financial health. 

Are You at Risk from Energy Drinks?

Energy Drink Concerns

Are energy drinks a source of health concerns for your family? Perhaps it should be.  Recently, grieving family members have filed suit against Monster Energy Drinks alleging the deaths of their teens were caused by a toxic amount of caffeine in the beverage.  In the past 5 years, there have been 6 reported deaths that allege Monster's beverage is the cause. 

An estimated 13,000+ youths aged 18-25 are admitted to the emergency room every year due to concerns over energy drinks.  Admittedly, many of these are also youths who are on drugs and alcohol.  These youths commonly experience vomiting, chest pains, and heart attacks. 

Calls for Caffeine Caps

Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois has responded to these reports by calling for an FDA cap on permissable caffeine levels in energy drinks.  Because energy drinks are sold as dietary supplements, they go unregulated by the FDA.  Compared to the 71 milligrams of caffeine per 12 ounces FDA imposed limit on sodas, energy drinks can have as much as 160 milligrams to 500 milligrams a serving. 

Caffeine is a stimulant and if excessive caffeine is ingested, a person can experience mild to severe reactions, including heart attacks and death.  Frequently, the dietary supplements that people take to lose weight come under fire because of toxic amounts of caffeine.  If too much caffeine is ingested, a person can overdose on caffeine, burn a hole in their heart, experience liver problems, and die. 

The case against Monster has been filed in Riverside, CA.  As the case develops, there's likely to be wide ranging consequences that could shape the future of unregulated dietary aids.