The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging consumers not to take Alfia Weight Loss Capsules due to a “hidden drug ingredient” that could present significant health risks for certain cardiac patients.
The agency’s own analysis confirmed that these capsules—marketed and sold as a weight loss product—contain sibutramine, a controlled substance that was removed from the market back in 2010 due to safety concerns.
“The product poses a threat to consumers because sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or heart rate in some people and may present a significant risk for people with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke,” the FDA wrote in its advisory. “This product may also interact, in life-threatening ways, with other medications a consumer may be taking.”
The agency asked that healthcare professionals and patients report any adverse events or side effects related to these capsules. Such reports can be completed here, and a downloadable form is also available.
The FDA has already had a busy February, clearing a new AI-powered cardiac imaging solution from DiA Imaging Analysis and approving a new indication for Abbott’s FlexAbility Sensor Enabled Ablation Catheter. Read here to catch up on some of the agency’s biggest cardiology-related announcements from January.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.