Calls to Poison Control About Dietary Supplements on the Rise

Aug 07,2017

Calls to U.S. Poison Control Centers regarding exposure to dietary supplements have increased drastically in recent years. According to the Journal of Medical Toxicology, Poison Control Centers receive a call about dietary supplements every 24 minutes. The rate of calls increased by nearly 50% from 2005 to 2012.

A majority of these calls involve children under 6 years old. In about half of the Poison Control cases, “miscellaneous substances” found in common supplements caused the reaction.

Dietary Supplements are Not FDA Approved

It is important to remember that dietary supplements are not considered drugs, so most of them are not subject to FDA approval. This means that most dietary supplements are not required to undergo the clinical trials that normal drugs must go through in order to be released to the public.

The supplement that resulted in the majority of medical complications in these cases was yohimbe. In fact, nearly 30% of the cases involving yohimbe resulted in moderate to major side effects. Yohimbe is a botanical derived from the bark of a West African evergreen tree that is often used as an aphrodisiac. However, it can cause severe side effects including kidney failure, seizures and heart attacks.

Researchers also pointed out that young children exposed to energy products, such as energy drinks, often experienced severe reactions. These include heart problems, breathing problems and even seizures.

“Parents who use dietary supplements need to ensure they are out of reach of children. Some of these products can have very severe effects and should never be consumed by children” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today at (760) 777-7777 for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.