(RxWiki News) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about unapproved products that claim to help with opioid addiction and withdrawal.
Health scams like this can pose serious health risks. That's because these products have not been shown to be safe or effective. In addition, the products the FDA recently warned about may actually prevent people from seeking appropriate treatment or delay treatment and place them at greater risk, according to the agency.
In fact, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, those who receive FDA-approved medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction can cut their risk of death in half.
The FDA warned about multiple unapproved products that made untested claims about their ability to combat opioid addiction and withdrawals. According to the FDA, claims to watch out for include the following:
- "#1 Selling Opiate Withdrawal Brand”
- “Imagine a life without the irritability, cravings, restlessness, excitability, exhaustion and discomfort associated with the nightmare of addiction and withdrawal symptoms”
- “Safe and effective natural supplements that work to ease many physical symptoms of opiate withdrawal”
- “Break the pain killer habit”
- “Relieve Your Symptoms…addiction, withdrawal, cravings”
The FDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have posted warning letters for 12 opioid cessation products and 11 companies. The companies and products are listed below:
- Opiate Freedom Center (Opiate Freedom 5-Pack)
- U4Life, LLC (Mitadone)
- CalmSupport, LLC (CalmSupport)
- TaperAid (TaperAid & TaperAid Complete)
- Medicus Holistic Alternatives LLC (Natracet)
- NutraCore Health Products, LLC (Opiate Detox Pro)
- Healthy Healing, LLC (Withdrawal Support)
- Soothedrawal, Inc. (Soothedrawal)
- Choice Detox Center, Inc. (Nofeel)
- GUNA, Inc. (GUNA-ADDICT 1)
- King Bio, Inc. (AddictaPlex)
“Opioid addiction is a serious health epidemic that affects millions of Americans,” said Acting FTC Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen in an FDA press release. “Individuals and their loved ones who struggle with this disease need real help, not unproven treatments."
If you or a loved one need help with opioid addiction or withdrawal, speak with your health care provider, who can recommend a safe and effective treatment.
Written By Anyssa Garza, PharmD, BCMAS
