A. ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL SYSTEMS

Consumer Alert: Human chorionic gonadotropin

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers to avoid taking “homeopathic” human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) weight-loss products.

They’re sold in the form of oral drops, pellets, and sprays and can be found online and in some retail stores.

Many HCG products are marketed to be taken in connection with a very low calorie diet. It’s a convenient ruse because it’s the decrease in calories (not the HCG product) that accounts for any weight loss.

The bottom line?

There are currently no FDA-approved HCG products designed to help lose weight.

FDA and the Federal Trade Commission have jointly issued warning letters to companies illegally marketing over-the-counter HCG products labeled for weight loss.

12/12/11 21:17 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.