The FDA have issued further warnings over weight-loss supplements sold over the counter in America after it was discovered they contained the active ingredient in the slimming pill Reductil
The laboratory of the FDA conducted tests on various products sold by ABC Beauty Supply International, which confirmed that a variety of products contained sibutramine. The products concerned did not contain the sibutramine on the list of ingredients and were being sold freely in pharmacies.
Sibutramine acts as an appetite suppressant as it interferes with the messages the stomach sends to the brain when it is full.
Though sibutramine is approved by the FDA and by European medicines regulators it is only meant to be sold with a doctor’s prescription. Sibutramine can be dangerous when taken by patients with a pre-existing heart condition, hypertension or by those who are at a higher risk of having a stroke. While it is fairly widely prescribed to help obese people lose weight, it should only be used by someone with a body mass index of over 30, partly why it is only available after seeing a doctor.
The FDA have asked ABC Beauty Supply to recall a number of their products, including ProSlimPlus, 24 Hours Diet and Royal Slimming Formula. They agreed the voluntary action and said that they regretted any inconvenience to customers.