American Cellular Labs Sold Supplements Containing Synthetic Steroids
The ever present desire for athletes to train to the extreme to obtain an edge on the competition exists at every level of athletics from high school to the professional athlete. In the past this desire has led to the imprudent use of anabolic steroids by athletes in all levels of competition.
The dangers of using anabolic steroids have been well-documented and the subject of extensive media coverage. The BALCO investigation is just one example. The serious and often fatal risks associated with using steroids to increase body strength and performance, clearly should prohibit the use of such substances. There is, however, the ongoing desire to obtain that edge on the competition. Thus, to avoid the stigma associated with steroids, certain products have been developed by some manufacturers that have been marketed as dietary supplements, but which actually contain synthetic steroids.
The Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) issued a Public Health Advisory on July 28, 2009, warning consumers to stop using body building products marketed as dietary supplements, but are instead unapproved and misbranded drugs. These products are sold online and in retail stores and are promoted as hormone products and/or alternatives to anabolic steroids. The FDA warned that these products are potentially harmful and that it has not approved them or reviewed their safety before marketing.
The FDA also sent a warning letter to American Cellular Labs, the manufacturer of TREN-Xtreme and MASS Xtreme. Other products identified by the FDA include ESTRO Xtreme, AH-89-Xtreme, HMG Xtreme, MMA-3 Xtreme, VNS-9 Xtreme, and TT‑40‑Xtreme.
The FDA has received adverse event reports for these products which include cases of serious liver injury, stroke, kidney failure, and pulmonary embolism. Other conditions that can be associated with these products include shrinkage of the testes, male infertility, masculinization of women, breast enlargement in males, short stature in children, adverse affects on blood lipid levels and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. As such, the FDA recommends that consumers immediately stop using these products and has also cautioned that athletes taking these products may test positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
If you have been injured as a result of using any of these products, please contact us to discuss your legal options.