FDA WARNING REGARDING SOME WEIGHT LOSS PRODUCTS

 The following excerpt comes from the FDA website:

"[July 8, 2011] The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to purchase or use “Slim Forte Slimming Capsules” and “Slim Forte Double Power Slimming Capsules,” products for weight loss sold on various websites and distributed by LA Beauty Store, Inc.
FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that “Slim Forte Slimming Capsules” and “Slim Forte Double Power Slimming Capsules” contain sibutramine.  Sibutramine is a controlled substance that was removed from the U.S. market in October 2010 for safety reasons.  These products pose a threat to consumers because sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke.  These products may also interact in life threatening ways with other medications a consumer may be taking.

Consumers should stop using these products immediately and throw them away.  Consumers who have experienced any negative side effects should consult a health care professional as soon as possible. (See Product Labels¹) 

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

• Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm²
• Download form³ or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

Note: This notification is to inform the public of a growing trend of products marketed as dietary supplements or conventional foods with hidden drugs and chemicals.  These products are typically promoted for sexual enhancement, weight loss, and body building, and are often represented as being “all natural.”  FDA is unable to test and identify all products marketed as dietary supplements that have potentially harmful hidden ingredients.  Consumers should exercise caution before purchasing any product in the above categories.
Please refer to the links below for more information:

• Tainted Weight Loss Products⁴
• Subscribe to the RSS feed⁵
• Tainted Supplement Consumer Article^6"