Supplement linked to acute hepatitis
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October 16, 2013 |
Idaho public health officials learned last week
that severe acute hepatitis and sudden liver
failure among previously healthy patients may be
linked to the dietary supplement OxyElite Pro.
The investigation is ongoing and the data
presented are preliminary. Twenty-nine patients
are confirmed to have acute hepatitis after
using a dietary supplement for weight loss or
muscle building during the 60 days prior to the
onset of illness.
Twenty-four of the 29 patients reported using
OxyElite Pro during the 60 days prior to their
illness. There was no other dietary supplement
or medication use reported in common by more the
two patients.
The start of illness ranged from May 10 to
October 3, 2013. Eleven of the patients were
hospitalized, two received liver transplants and
one died. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention are investigating other cases of
liver injury nationwide that may be related.
“This is not Hepatitis A, B or C,” said Mary
Petty, who manages Panhandle Health District’s
epidemiology program. “This is a toxic reaction
to a possible component.”
The U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA)
advises consumers to stop using dietary
supplements labeled OxyElite Pro while the
investigation is ongoing. OxyElite Pro is sold
nationwide in retail stores and over the
Internet. USPlabs LLC of Dallas, Texas,
distributes OxyElite Pro and has voluntarily
ceased distribution as it cooperates with the
investigation.
Symptoms of hepatitis include fever, fatigue,
loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal
pain, dark urine, clay or grayish bowel
movements, joint pain, yellow eyes and jaundice.
Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical
help.
More information is available from the Idaho
Bureau of Communicable Disease Prevention, (208)
334-5939. |
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