GNC filed for bankruptcy after years of selling dangerous dietary supplements, including several workout supplements and weight-loss pills that were linked to liver failure, heart attacks, and death.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting GNC supplement injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with any severe side effect of GNC supplements, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Dietary Supplement Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
GNC Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
GNC, the world’s largest retailer of vitamins and supplements, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2020, blaming the COVID-19 pandemic, $905 million in debt, declining sales, and consumers avoiding malls.
GNC Hit With Lawsuit for Selling Supplements With Dangerous Illegal Drugs
GNC was hit with a lawsuit from the Oregon Attorney General for knowingly selling nutritional and dietary supplements with illegal synthetic drugs.
GNC Supplement Health Risks for Men & Women
The highest risk of health problems is for men aged 18-40 years old who use GNC workout supplements or testosterone products, and women who use GNC weight-loss supplements.
These risks include serious cardiovascular, neurological, kidney, and liver injuries, such as:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Seizure
- Liver failure
- Kidney failure
- Blood clots
- Lung damage
- Death
Workout Supplements
GNC workout supplements may contain stimulants that pose life-threatening cardiovascular risks. Stimulants increase heart rate and blood pressure, which puts unnecessary stress on the heart — especially during the intense physical activity of a workout.
People who use GNC workout supplements with stimulants can develop severe heart problems, palpitations, irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation), heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke, or sudden death.
In 2015, GNC was sued for selling supplements with a dangerous stimulant called BMPEA, an amphetamine-like drug that is linked to reports of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain).
Weight-Loss Supplements
GNC weight-loss supplements may contain stimulants that can cause severe heart problems. There are many examples over the years.
In the early 2000s, thousands of lawsuits were filed by people who were injured by ephedra weight-loss pills that were sold by GNC.
In 2009, Hydroxycut weight-loss supplements were pulled off the market after 23 people developed liver problems ranging from jaundice to death due to liver failure.
In February 2019, a lawsuit was filed by a man who nearly died after taking a GNC weight-loss supplement called Grenade® Thermo Detonator that contained “bitter orange extract,” an amphetamine-like stimulant.
Testosterone Supplements
GNC testosterone supplements may claim to be “all-natural” ways to boost testosterone, but long-term use is linked to cardiovascular disease and liver injuries. Testosterone supplements that contain Androgenic Anabolic Steroids (AAS) can also be toxic to the liver.
Herbal Supplements
GNC herbal supplements — particularly Green Tea Extract — are linked to many cases of liver damage, hepatitis (liver inflammation), jaundice, liver failure, and even patients who needed a liver transplant. In 2012, Slimquick weight-loss supplements with 135-mg of green tea extract caused a 23-year-old woman to develop severe hepatotoxicity.
USPLabs Supplements With DMAA
GNC was indicted by the federal government after they refused to stop selling USPLabs workout supplements with DMAA, a stimulant that was linked to heart attacks, strokes, and death. It was once an ingredient in Jack3D and OxyElite PRO.
After USPLabs recalled their DMAA supplements, GNC agreed to do a better job of investigating the safety of their supplements, not just taking companies at their word — but it’s not clear if they actually changed.
GNC Pays $2.25 Million Settlement After Selling Deadly Supplements
In December 2015, GNC agreed to pay a $2.25 million settlement to the Department of Justice for selling USPLabs’ OxyElite Pro Advanced Formula with DMAA. The U.S. military banned OxyElite Pro with DMAA after 2 soldiers suffered heart attacks and died. Then, after USPLabs reformulated OxyElite Pro without DMAA, the new formula caused a deadly outbreak of liver injuries.
Do I have a GNC Supplement Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting GNC supplement induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with any side effects of GNC supplements for weight-loss, workouts, testosterone, etc., you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Dietary Supplement Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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