Drug Injury Lawyers Blog
On August 28, 2012, the Food and Drug Administration initiated a voluntary recall of the weight loss supplement, EphBurn 25. Brand New Energy, a dietary supplement retail distributor, began carrying out the recall of all lot codes of EphBurn 25. The pulling of EphBurn 25 became necessary after the Food and Drug Administration purchased and sampled a lot of the supplement and found that it contained ephedrine alkaloids, immediately making it an unapproved drug.
Controversy surrounding ephedrine alkaloids first became public in 1997. Mounting concern over harmful side effects initially led to the FDA capping how much could be used in each product and pushing for stricter labeling. In response, the supplement industry pushed back with studies from private firms confirming that ephedrine alkaloid was perfectly safe. The push and pull lasted for years with companies spending millions to suppress legislation. But along with death and disability occurring in young adult athletes, a few professionals were found to have died from the supplement. The ban in the United States officially came to fruition on February 6, 2004. The ruling was struck down in 2005 but then reversed back four months later. The injunction however does not apply to Chinese herbal remedies or herbal teas considered to be conventional food. And despite the ban, and the risks of the stimulant being public knowledge, it’s estimated that 14% of people using non-prescription weight loss products take ephedra.
Ephedrine is commonly used as a stimulant, for the suppressant of appetites, for enhancing concentration, as a decongestant, and for weight loss. The list of reported side effects attributed is considerable: elevated blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, nerve damage, muscle injury, psychosis, memory loss, heart attacks, stroke, and death. There have not been any reported side effects with EphBurn 25. But the supplement was previously discontinued this past May.
Brand New Energy is also the distributor of other diet and energy supplements like Zantrex 3, Trim Spa, and Hydroxycut. None of these have been subject to recall. But EphBurn 25 has been available for sale throughout the nation and on the internet approximately from April of 2010 to August of 2012. The FDA is advising anyone who has been using EphBurn 25 to immediately cease. And if any negative side effects have been experienced, a healthcare provider should be contacted without hesitation. Consumers can also contact Brand New Energy at info@brandnewenergy.com or call 1.888.234.2595. (8am to 4pm PST)
The product is offered in the form of red pills with a clear bottle and red label. EphBurn 25 is written on the label in white letters. The recall is only a few days old. And information about it is still being disseminated. But if you, or anybody you know, have any questions or concerns about this recall or similar ones please feel free to contact Altman and Altman at your earliest convenience.
Source:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ephedra/NS_patient-ephedra
http://www.examiner.com/article/safety-alert-ephburn-25-recalled-due-to-possible-health-risk
