FDA Issues Warning on Diet Drugs -- Tiratricol

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by Mary J. Shomon

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to consumers about diet supplements containing the thyroid hormone ingredient "tiratricol" -- also known as TRIAC, or triiodothyroacetic acid. This form of thyroid hormone, typically used in diet pills, puts users at risk of heart attack and strokes. Triac is particular popular with the bodybuilding community who are focused on reducing body fat.

A year ago, the FDA issued its original warning against Tiratricol and TRIAC in a recall of the product Triax Metabolic Accelerator. At that time, the FDA claimed that in addition to the heart and stroke risk, the product could cause abnormal thyroid function, debilitating diarrhea, exhaustion, major weight loss, insomnia, nervousness, and excessive sweating.

Last year, the FDA's Dr. David Orloff said that someone taking the recommended dose of Triax could be getting up to 10 times more per day of a potent thyroid hormone than is normal.

According to the FDA statement issued last year, "...this product is not a dietary supplement but an unapproved new drug containing a potent thyroid hormone, which may cause serious health consequences...."

While there have been recalls of three different dietary supplements that contain tiratricol -- Tricana Metabolic Hormone Analogue, Tria-Cutz Thyroid Stimulator and ``Sci-Fi-Tri-Cuts Dietary Supplements" -- during the past seven months, the FDA is concerned that consumers may have still some of these products and be unaware of the potential risks.

According to the FDA's latest statement of November 21, 2000:

"FDA urges all individuals who may have purchased these products, or any product containing tiratricol, to stop using them immediately and, in addition, to consult their health care professional if they are experiencing any adverse effects, which may include insomnia, nervousness, sweating, and diarrhea."

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