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FDA warns one brand of vitamin B supplement contains dangerous steroids
By David Simpson, for CNN
updated 6:34 AM EDT, Sat July 27, 2013
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
(CNN) -- Federal regulators warned consumers to avoid one brand of vitamin B dietary supplement because it contains potentially harmful anabolic steroids.
Preliminary lab tests showed the product, Healthy Life Chemistry By Purity First B-50, contains methasterone, a controlled substance, and dimethazine, the Food and Drug Administration said.
"Products marketed as a vitamin but which contain undisclosed steroids pose a real danger to consumers and are illegal," said Howard Sklamberg, director of the FDA's compliance office.
Regulators received 29 complaints associated with the product, including fatigue, muscle pain and cramps, and liver and thyroid problems, the FDA said.
Women also reported unusual hair growth and missed menstruation, and men reported impotence and low testosterone.
Some patients were hospitalized, the FDA said in a statement, but no deaths were reported.
Anyone who used the product and has symptoms should seek medical care and report the case to the FDA, regulators said.
The product manufactured by New-York based Mira Health Products Ltd is sold online and in stores. The company has not issued a response to the warning.
By David Simpson, for CNN
updated 6:34 AM EDT, Sat July 27, 2013
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- FDA: The supplement is linked to 29 complaints
- Users reported fatigue, pain, liver and thyroid trouble
- Men reported impotence and low testosterone
- No deaths were reported, but some patients were hospitalized
(CNN) -- Federal regulators warned consumers to avoid one brand of vitamin B dietary supplement because it contains potentially harmful anabolic steroids.
Preliminary lab tests showed the product, Healthy Life Chemistry By Purity First B-50, contains methasterone, a controlled substance, and dimethazine, the Food and Drug Administration said.
"Products marketed as a vitamin but which contain undisclosed steroids pose a real danger to consumers and are illegal," said Howard Sklamberg, director of the FDA's compliance office.
Regulators received 29 complaints associated with the product, including fatigue, muscle pain and cramps, and liver and thyroid problems, the FDA said.
Women also reported unusual hair growth and missed menstruation, and men reported impotence and low testosterone.
Some patients were hospitalized, the FDA said in a statement, but no deaths were reported.
Anyone who used the product and has symptoms should seek medical care and report the case to the FDA, regulators said.
The product manufactured by New-York based Mira Health Products Ltd is sold online and in stores. The company has not issued a response to the warning.
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