The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice to warn consumers about weight-loss supplements containing the substance BMPEA. According to the agency, BMPEA is not a dietary ingredient, so its inclusion on weight-loss drug labels constitutes misbranding.
Aside from the statutory violations cited by the FDA, including BMPEA in dietary supplements may also pose a danger to consumers. According to a new study published in Drug Testing and Analysis, the efficacy and safety of BMPEA, or the amphetamine isomer β-methylphenylethylamine, have not been studied in humans. The authors say that consumers who take weight-loss supplements that include this substance “may be exposed to pharmacological dosages of an amphetamine isomer that lacks evidence of safety in humans.” The authors conclude by recommending that the manufacturers of the supplements recall all pertinent products immediately, and that the FDA utilize all of its enforcement power to prevent further distribution of dietary supplements containing BMPEA until they have been adequately researched.
Talk to your doctor or physician if you are considering changing treatment plans, and be sure to explore any possible health risks when taking a new drug or supplement. If you or someone you know was injured after taking a weight-loss supplement or other dietary product, contact the lawyers at Lopez McHugh for a free consultation. You may qualify to receive compensation through a product liability lawsuit.
