December 2, 1999. Tiratricol (TRIAC)
      Health Canada has issued a public health warning alerting consumers and the health care community about weight loss products containing tiratricol, more commonly known as TRIAC. The letter advises that use of such products poses serious health risks, in particular heart attacks and strokes.  [ more info ]

November 11, 1999. Tiratricol (TRIAC)
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert concerning use of the weight-loss product known as Triax Metabolic Accelerator. The warning claims that this product is not a dietary supplement, but an unapproved thyroid hormone that has been found to affect thyroid function, and poses a risk for serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and stroke.  [ more info ]

November 3, 1999. Aristolochic acid
      Health Canada has issued a public health warning alerting consumers to not use dietary health products containing the herb aristolochia without advice from their health care provider. This precursor to aristolochic acid has reportedly been associated with cellular mutations, cancer, and kidney failure.  [ more info ]

August 25, 1999. Gamma butyrolactone (GBL)
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Medwatch program has informed the professional health care community about reported adverse health effects resulting from the use of dietary supplements containing gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and related compounds (see the June 15 and January 21 alerts below).  [ more info ]

July 28, 1999. Aristolochic acid
      The Medicines Control Agency (U.K.) has informed the health care community of the potential of renal failure in subjects using health remedies containing the herbal aristolochia (aristolochic acid). The Agency has also issued a temporary ban on products containing this herbal until a full consultation can be completed.   [ more info ]

June 15, 1999. Gamma butyrolactone (GBL)
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public health warning poster concerning the use of dietary supplements containing gamma butyrolactone (GBL) and related compounds (see January 21 alert below).  [ more info ]

January 21, 1999. Gamma butyrolactone (GBL)
      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public health warning about dietary supplements, typically marketed as performance enhancers, containing gamma butyrolactone, or "GBL." The advisory warns against possible adverse health effects resulting from the use of products containing GBL that could be life-threatening.  [ more info ]