Health officials urge users of the fat burning supplement, OxyElite Pro to completely stop using the product, according to the USA Today.
29 cases of hepatitis that eventually led to two liver transplants and one death were tested by the Hawaii's Department of Health, linking the dietary supplement to the serious cases. Approximately 11 other patients have been hospitalized. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent out an alert to healthcare providers on Tuesday containing the dates of the first case and the most recent one on May 10 and October 3 respectively. More than 80 percent of the users reported became ill during the 60 days of using the supplement.
"We're calling for stores to voluntary remove this product from their shelves," said Janice Okubo, a public information officer with Hawaii's state health department. The CDC has also informed public health agencies, emergency department and healthcare providers to watch out for patients who may acquire acute hepatitis or liver failure after using the weight loss or body-building supplement.
Other patients outside of Hawaii were also identified with acute hepatitis for taking the same product. This information was also contained in the alert sent out by the CDC. "The Food and Drug Administration is concurrently collecting samples of the product in Hawaii and testing them and are also inspecting the facilities where the products were manufactured", said Okubo.
The brand OxyElite Pro is a type of dietary supplement that can be purchased as an aid for those who wish to lose weight. It is sold nationwide and is being distributed by USPlabs LLC of Dallas.
