Hydroxycut Hardcore Lawsuit Planned by Soldier with Rhabdomyolysis

A U.S. Army soldier who was diagnosed in 2007 with rhabdomyolysis, a disorder that causes a sudden breakdown of muscle tissue that could threaten the liver and kidneys, plans to file a product liability lawsuit after discovering that his problems may be linked to a recently recalled Hydroxycut Hardcore weight-loss product he took.

According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, 27-year old Robert Tropea, a former Army radio operator, used Hydroxycut for three months in 2007 to slim down to meet army requirements.

After using the dietary supplement, he went from being able to bench press hundreds of pounds to having trouble picking up his three year old daughter as a result of what he believes were muscle damage side effects of Hydroxycut.

Tropea is likely to be one of the first plaintiffs to file a Hydroxycut Hardcore lawsuit against Iovate Health Sciences, Inc., the maker of the dietary supplement, alleging that it caused his rhabdomyolysis.

In July 2007, Tropea suddenly began suffering from arm pains, shoulder pains and black urine after a physical training session with his sergeant. Hospital tests showed that he had creatine kinase levels at 3,000 times the normal limit, which are indicative of organ and muscle damage.

Tropea was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and ultimately discharged from the army six months ago due to the medical condition.

Until Iovate issued a Hydroxycut recall on May 1, 2009, Tropea’s doctors were at a loss as to the cause of his illness. Rhabdomyolysis is usually the result of physical trauma, heat stroke, or drug or alcohol use, none of which applied to Tropea.

The FDA cited reports of Hydroxycut liver damage as the primary reason for the recall, but also indicated that the product was linked to reports of seizures, heart problems and rhabdomyolysis, which could lead to other health problems like kidney failure.

Hydroxycut Hardcore was among the 14 different variations of the dietary supplement that were pulled from the market.

A handful of Hydroxycut lawsuits have already been filed on behalf of users, primarily involving liver injury complaints. Potential symptoms of the Hydroxycut liver side effects could include yellowing of the skin or white of the eyes (jaundice), brown urine, light colored stools, nausea, vomiting, excessive fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach or abdominal pain.

Hydroxycut lawyers are also reviewing potential rhabdomyolysis lawsuits for former users of the dietary supplement who have been diagnosed with the muscle condition. Symptoms of the Hydroxycut muscle damage could start as muscle cramps, tenderness, stiffness, pain and spasms.