When it comes to treating pain, illnesses, and other health problems, medications can be extremely powerful. The association of popping a pill and experiencing relief or reduced symptoms carries over to the dietary supplement industry, which generates around $35 billion in sales every year in the U.S.
Unlike prescription and over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements often include marketing statements and claims that aren’t verified or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition, many products find their way onto supermarket shelves every year that contain undeclared ingredients—many of which can put consumers’ health at risk.
When you view the FDA’s list of recalled products, you’ll often see dietary supplements on it, with multiple products recalled every month and dozens per year. Many of the recalls are due to things like undeclared ingredients or contamination. In addition to the risks from superpotency, extra ingredients, or contamination, users also risk their supplements interacting with medications they take.
Finally, most dietary supplements have little to no effect on overall health, and some may even be harmful. Before purchasing or taking a dietary supplement, it’s important to research it and to ask your doctor if it’s safe to take. At best, you may be wasting your money on a product that won’t have much of an effect on you, and at worst, you may be endangering your health.
The drug injury lawyers at Ferrer Poirot Feller are always on the lookout for harmful medications and products, and when we find them, it’s our goal to help victims who were harmed by them. If you or someone you love suffered after taking a dietary supplement, we want to hear from you. Contact us today for a free consultation.