If you or your loved one took OxyElite Pro and was diagnosed with liver damage, you are not alone. An epidemic of liver damage from OxyElite Pro was reported between April and October 2013, including dozens of cases of hepatitis, 11 hospitalizations, 2 liver transplants, and the death of a 48 year-old woman from Maui who had seven children.
What You Can Do & How an OxyElite Pro Lawsuit Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting OxyElite Pro induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know had liver damage from OxyElite Pro, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
OxyElite Pro Liver Damage
OxyElite Pro was one of the most popular diet and weight-loss supplements until October 2013, when it was withdrawn from the market over concern about liver damage. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned:
“There have been 29 cases of acute non-viral hepatitis with an unknown cause identified in the state. The Hawaii DOH has reported that 24 of these cases share a common link to a dietary supplement product labeled as OxyElite Pro. Eleven of the 29 cases have been hospitalized with acute hepatitis, two cases have received liver transplants and one person has died. CDC is also looking at other cases of liver injury nationwide that may be related.”
What is the OxyElite Pro Liver Damage Case Definition?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides the following case definition for diagnosis of OxyElite Pro liver damage:
“An individual with acute-onset hepatitis of unknown etiology that developed symptoms on or after April 1, 2013 following the use of a non-prescription weight loss or muscle building dietary supplement during the 60 days prior to illness onset.”
Many victims reported significantly elevated liver enzyme levels in blood tests. The CDC indicates that cases must have ALT levels that are 4X the upper-limit of normal, and also bilirubin levels that are 2X the upper limit of normal. The CDC also provides a check-list of other explanations that will disqualify a case, including pre-existing liver problems, a history of alcoholism, and more.
The median laboratory values for liver enzyme levels at the peak of illness:
- aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 1,128 IU/L;
- alanine transaminase (ALT) 1,793 IU/L;
- alkaline phosphatase 150 IU/L; and
- total bilirubin 12.6 mg/dL.
What is Liver Damage?
Liver damage occurs when the liver is unable to perform its basic, vital functions, such as metabolizing nutrients, removing toxins from the blood, and excreting harmful substances in urine or bile. Normally, cells called hepatocytes filter poisonous waste products from the blood, but their ability is limited. If they are overwhelmed, hepatocytes may be damaged or destroyed.
Liver damage is often diagnosed when doctors find elevated liver enzymes in blood tests. A damaged liver will leak chemicals and enzymes into the bloodstream, including alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST). Elevated bilirubin levels are another indicator of liver damage.
Complications of Liver Damage
Hepatocytes make up about 80% of the liver, and if enough of them are damaged, the liver may become inflamed. This inflammation is called acute non-viral hepatitis. If the source of the inflammation is not treated, hepatitis can cause further liver damage, cause significant scarring (fibrosis and cirrhosis), and cause liver failure. The only treatment option for a patient with liver failure is a liver transplant.
Symptoms of Liver Damage
OxyElite Pro has been linked to at least 24 cases of acute non-viral hepatitis, and case reports indicate that symptoms of liver damage appeared rapidly. Because mild hepatitis (liver inflammation) may not produce symptoms right away, the CDC is investigating a 60-day time-frame on OxyElite liver damage.
Symptoms of OxyElite Pro liver damage:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice (yellow discoloration of skin, eyes)
- Dark-colored urine
- Light-colored stools
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain (upper-right side)
- Elevated liver enzyme levels
Do I have an OxyElite Pro Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting OxyElite Pro induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know had liver damage from OxyElite Pro, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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