FDA Cracks Down on Supplements

FDA Cracks Down on Supplements

The FDA has been focused on three primary areas of what are advertised as nutritional supplements recently. According to FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein, “We want consumers to be aware that there are products masquerading as dietary supplements that pose significant dangers,” Sharfstein said during a press conference.

The FDA had sent a letter to manufacturers warning them of an impending crack down. Now the FDA has put out it official warnings to consumers. The products at the focus of the FDA are for body-building, weight loss, and sexual enhancement.

The sexual enhancement products cited contain an active ingredient called Sulfoaildenafil that could interact with medications that include nitrates, lowering blood pressure to what the FDA referred to as ‘dangerous levels.’ Medications which may contain nitrates are those used to treat heart disease or control diabetes and high blood pressure.

The weight loss product Meridia, which contains sibutramine, was recently pulled from the market after reports indicated an increased risk for stroke and heart attack. Concerns regarding the same health risks, along with liver damage, were sited by the FDA for pursuing manufacturers of steroid containing body-building supplements.