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Case Reports
. 2015 May 6:2015:bcr2015210303.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2015-210303.

Acute liver injury associated with a newer formulation of the herbal weight loss supplement Hydroxycut

James L Araujo  1 , Howard J Worman  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Acute liver injury associated with a newer formulation of the herbal weight loss supplement Hydroxycut

James L Araujo et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Despite the widespread use of herbal and dietary supplements (HDS), serious cases of hepatotoxicity have been reported. The popular herbal weight loss supplement, Hydroxycut, has previously been implicated in acute liver injury. Since its introduction, Hydroxycut has undergone successive transformations in its formulation; yet, cases of liver injury have remained an ongoing problem. We report a case of a 41-year-old Hispanic man who developed acute hepatocellular liver injury with associated nausea, vomiting, jaundice, fatigue and asterixis attributed to the use of a newer formulation of Hydroxycut, SX-7 Clean Sensory. The patient required hospitalisation and improved with supportive therapy. Despite successive transformations in its formulation, potential liver injury appears to remain an ongoing problem with Hydroxycut. Our case illustrates the importance of obtaining a thorough medication history, including HDS, regardless of new or reformulated product marketing efforts.

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References

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