If you’re taking a dietary, weight-loss, or workout supplement, make sure to check the label carefully. The FDA released a warning last week for all consumers to steer clear of supplements containing the ingredient dimethylamylamine (DMAA) since it’s been linked to more than 40 adverse event reports. Although these complaints don’t prove that DMAA was the culprit, people who’ve taken supplements with the ingredient have reported suffering from cardiac and nervous system disorders, psychiatric disorders, and even death.
Currently found in some performance-enhancing products, DMAA is an active compound that was originally approved for use in nasal decongestants, but its approval was revoked in 1983, according to the FDA. It’s a vasoconstrictor, meaning it works to narrow the blood vessels, but it can also elevate blood pressure and lead to cardiovascular problems like shortness of breath or even heart attacks, says Tamara Ward, from the FDA’s Office of Media Affairs. Right now, no medical use of DMAA is recognized by the FDA—and with these risks, it shouldn’t be sold over the counter in weight-loss supplements, either. “We’ve determined that the dietary supplements containing DMAA are illegal and should be removed from the market,” says Ward.
Unfortunately, that won’t happen overnight, which is why the FDA is urging consumers to check their supplement labels for the harmful ingredient. If you think you may have taken a supplement containing DMAA and are experiencing any adverse side effects, call your doctor immediately and file a report at the FDA’s MedWatch site.
So how can you know if your supplement contains DMAA? Check the ingredients for dimethylamylamine as well as the other names that DMAA commonly goes by:
– 1,3-dimethylamylamine
– methylhexanamine
– geranium extract
Then check out the full list of companies and products currently using DMAA in their supplements by visiting the FDA’s website. Each of these companies has received a warning letter stating that the ingredient is illegal, which is the first step in getting them off the shelves fast.
The bottom line: Don’t forget to run any supplements by your doctor before you start taking them. Products like weight-loss pills and workout enhancers are not approved by the FDA before they hit the market, says Ward, so it’s crucial to get the go-ahead from a physician before using them.
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