FDA warns against use of Fruta Planta weight-loss supplement

The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the general public that the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has issued a statement on the adverse effect of the use of Fruta Planta, promoted as a dietary supplement for weight loss and sold on various websites such as www.frutaplanta.com.

FDA has received multiple reports of adverse events associated with the use of Fruta Planta, including several cardiac events relating to or affecting the heart) and one death.

FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that Fruta Planta contains sibutramine which is a diet aid. It appears to work by regulating chemicals in the brain that reduce hunger or craving for food. This controlled substance was withdrawn from the market in October 2010 for safety reasons.

The product poses a threat to consumers because sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, irregular heart beat or stroke. Fruta Planta may also interact in life-threatening ways with other medications a consumer may be taking.

Consumers should stop using this product immediately and throw it away. Consumers who have experienced any negative side effects should consult a health care professional as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Health is therefore advising the general public to take the necessary measures and to promptly stop the use of this diet supplement.

Patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the nearest health facility or doctor.

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12 Comments

  1. Truth, Justice, Love, Peace and Unity
    January 4, 2011

    Folks:
    God has blest Dominica and gave all of you root vegetables, fruits and water. This is what we should be eating and drinking most of all. We should eat and drink in moderation. Do not eat too late and then sit and go to bed. Avoid fatty foods. Should you eat them, do so in moderation.
    I recall as a child, if we ate heavy foods, it had to be early enough so that the food would be digested prior to going to bed. My father was against eating and going to sleep soon after eating a heavy meal. In fact, some of you will remember those days when we ate a heavy lunch and light suppers as soup, bread and tea – milk and chocolate. It is time to return to this practice.
    Dominicans do not need all those types of diet drinks and pills. Stop taking them and get rid of them. Exercise is necessary. Today, nearly every home in Dominica, if not all has a vehicle. I realize that they are necessary depending on the distance where you reside. It is necessary to take some walks for exercise.
    I do think that the government should ban those diet products from Dominica. For once I am stating that Dominicans do not need them for they are a hazard to their health.
    I recently heard on TV that nutritious soups are recommended for weight loss. You have computers. If you doubt it do research this. I love making homemade soups specifically occasionally.

  2. Beautiful
    January 3, 2011

    I used Fruta Planta and loose 23 pounds in two months.. them I starting getting severe back and waiste pain which would last for about an hour, thought it was gas all the time.. but one day I could not bear the pain went to the ER the drs did and Ultrasound and i found ou that i Had Gallstones which lead me to Emergency surgery to remove my Gallbladder.. The dr told me that is was the diet pill Fruta planta that i took which cause this…

  3. Dominican Abroad
    January 3, 2011

    there’s no quick fix, exercise, eat healthy, Foods like KFC we should avoid,Kentucky FRIED Chicken stopped using that name years ago when it realized how bad fried chicken was for the health, instead it began using KFC, which sounds better without the word FRIED in there. Even they know how much they are killing the population,

  4. Anonymous
    January 2, 2011

    :(

  5. mouth of the south
    January 1, 2011

    now i wonder what the woman watching,,,,certainly doesn’t look like it’s the tummy,,,i’m not a gynecologist but i can certainly take a look hhhhmmmmm :lol: :lol: :lol:

  6. gaza
    January 1, 2011

    first of all these items should not be allowed to enter the country much less to be on the shelves in any pharmacy whether Chinese or Hebrew or Arab.

  7. urban maroon
    January 1, 2011

    When you give up your responsibility for your own health and well being to Pharmacist whose
    primary motive is profit.What do you expect?I’ll tell you..Ill health and DEATH

  8. Jayson
    January 1, 2011

    What about all those energy drinks : Monster-Bullet-Red Bull-Shark-Rhino…and the list goes on and on! Drink 1 or 2 of that with your already existing high blood pressure and you’ll see how quick NEFA will come pick you up…!

  9. mouth of the south
    January 1, 2011

    my people how can u expect to just sit on ur chair and a magic pill or drink will just shrink u,,,similar to getting scammed by folks who tell u,,,,jus invest 200 and u’ll make 20000 by month end,,,,lol n e thing with good results take HARD WORK,,,,,a quick fix is never the answer in life,,,,,get in the gym n sweat that issshhh out,,,,if u accustomed to eating 2 chickens,,,,eat one,,,,drop it to 1 kfc per week,,,and that’s on sunday’s only,,,,park ur car by cable n wireless and walk to work at nbd,,,all these lil things help,,,i remember when i use to go college,,i enjoyed walking so much,,,i’d walk from stockfarm to roseau central,,,,yep i did i did,,,,so can do a lil bit too

    • Jayson
      January 2, 2011

      Great idea!

      I’m going to start parking my car by DBMC from Monday. It will definitely make me healthier, cut down on my costs and I won’t have to be struggling to find a parking spot in town!

    • redlight district baby
      January 2, 2011

      MOTS them NBD woman u asking to walk, lol, good 4 u, them woman acting so fresh like fly never touch dem lol

  10. Gee
    January 1, 2011

    ***************DON’T ASK JUST BANN IT!!***************

    STop the foolishness!!!!!…… “ASKING” people to stop the use? The government can do more than that…. like this and many other so call wait loss should just be banned from being imported!! Or tax them so high they won’t even care to buy them on the shelf!!

    Besides, I notice the package seem like a chinese production! I would not consume any chinese health related products. They seem to have a careless and unsafe standards for their products including drywall muchless for diet-products.

    Sorry china but you deserve this criticism!! I guess we don’t want to offend the chinese so it’s better to risk our health??? Incredible!!!

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