Dimethylamylamine, otherwise known as DMAA, has become synonymous with the development of adverse health events. Products containing the controversial dietary supplement ingredient may have negative effects on an individual’s heart rate and blood vessels that can potentially lead to cardiac complications. As a result, regulatory agencies around the world have begun to question the safety and efficacy of DMAA. While New Zealand became the first country to ban this ingredient, several others are currently in the process of doing so. Accordingly, both Spain and the Netherlands have issued warnings against the pre-workout and weight loss stimulant that suggest a possible ban in the near future.
DMAA has been marketed as a dietary supplement ingredient in combination with caffeine and other ingredients to be used as an over-the-counter thermogenic or general purpose stimulant intended to increase workout energy and efficiency. The increasingly popular ingredient can be found in a growing number of DMAA products that are currently on store shelves. Perhaps the most popular products found to contain DMAA are two dietary supplements marketed under the names Jack3d and OxyElite Pro. However, misconceptions regarding the origins and safety of DMAA have caused a great deal of controversy in the pharmaceutical industry.
Complicating the already volatile situation are a slew of adverse health reports regarding the ingestion of dietary supplements that contain DMAA. NutraIngredients.com identified a 21-year old New Zealand man who suffered a cerebral hemorrhage shortly after ingesting “party pills” that contained DMAA. In the United States, two soldiers suffered fatal heart attacks after taking DMAA as part of their pre-workout regimen. Mr. Graves, an Army representative, said that DMAA had been identified in the toxicology reports of two soldiers who suffered fatal heart attacks during physical exercise. In addition to the two fatalities, Graves acknowledged a possible link between products with DMAA and an influx of kidney failure, seizures, loss of consciousness and rapid heartbeat in other military personnel. Complications such as these have already been the focus of several DMAA lawsuits.
In response to adverse cardiac events such as these, regulatory agencies around the world have begun to question the safety and efficacy of DMAA-continuing products. Healthcare officials in New Zealand, however, have taken maters into their own hands and banned DMAA from their country. It appears as if Spain and the Netherlands are close to banning the controversial ingredient as well.
The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition and the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority recently noted stroke, nausea, and other effects in warning consumers off products that contain DMAA. Spanish authorities are “conducting necessary investigations to proceed with the withdrawal from the market.” In doing so, they have begun “advising consumers to refrain from consuming dietary supplements containing this substance.”
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority acknowledged that athletes, in particular, should not consume such products given DMAA’s existence in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited substance list.
The latest warning issued by Spain and the Netherlands continues a recent and ongoing trend. Their actions join a large list of nations moving against DMAA that includes Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Canada, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, France, Italy and Malta.
Do I Have a DMAA Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in DMAA lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one has been injured by DMAA, you may be entitled to financial compensation. For a free case review, please click the link below or call toll free 24 hrs/day 1-(949) 557-5800.