Dimethylamylamine (DMAA), is a controversial ingredient in several dietary supplements that touts the miraculous ability to increase workout energy and efficiency. However, the use of products containing DMAA has recently become synonymous with catastrophic side effects. Individuals who implement a DMAA regimen may significantly increase their risk of developing severe, life-threatening complications including seizures, heart injury, kidney and liver failure, and death. Due to the severe nature of these complications, patients may be entitled to file their own DMAA lawsuit.
If you or a loved one has been injured by DMAA, you should contact our DMAA lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
DMAA Lawsuit Overview
In April 1971, Eli Lilly & Co. developed Forthane to be used as a nasal decongestant. However, the patent guarding Forthane has since expired, and dietary supplement manufacturers have continued to market the ingredient as 1,3-dimethylamylamine and DMAA since 2006. While originally intended to be used as a nasal decongestant, DMAA has been marketed as a dietary supplement in combination with caffeine and other ingredients to be used as an over-the-counter thermogenic or general purpose stimulant.
Following the exponential growth in popularity of dietary supplements, DMAA has become the active ingredient in several products. Its ability to increase workout energy and efficiency assists in the development of muscle mass and increased stamina. DMAA is classified by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as a food additive, and acts as a stimulant that provides users with an extra boost of energy during a workout or subsequent physical activity.
However, the pharmacodynamics of DMAA, responsible for the increase in energy, may coincide with catastrophic side effects. Recent discoveries suggest that the use of DMAA may coincide with severely adverse cardiac toxicity and corresponding complications. Individuals who implement a DMAA regimen may significantly increase their risk of developing severe, life-threatening complications including seizures, heart injury, kidney and liver failure, and death. Due to the severe nature of these complications, patients may contact a lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation regarding their potential DMAA lawsuit.
DMAA Side Effects
The following is a comprehensive list of the side effects that have been associated with the use of DMAA:
- Skin reactions
- Irritability
- Nervousness
- Dizziness
- Trembling
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Profuse perspiration
- Dehydration
- Itchy scalp and skin
The capacity in which these side effects affect an individual may vary in severity. However, while these side effects are not considered life-threatening in their own right, they do serve as indicators to potentially fatal complications associated with DMAA consumption.
DMAA Complications
The ingestion of products containing DMAA may result in the following severe, life-threatening complications:
- Hyperthermia
- Irregular heartbeat
- Seizures
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Liver damage or liver failure
- Kidney damage or kidney failure
- Psychiatric side effects
- Elevated blood pressure
- Sudden cardiac death
The risk of serious effects may be increased with the introduction of multiple stimulants and during extreme exertion in hot environments. The severity in which these complications may affect an individual warrant the exercise of extreme caution when taking products that contain this dietary supplement ingredient. Therefore, those hurt by products may contact a lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation regarding their potential DMAA lawsuit.
Military Bans DMAA
December 6th witnessed the Department of Defense place a temporary moratorium of the sales of dietary supplements that contain DMAA as an active ingredient. Subsequently, military exchanges and commissaries worldwide have temporarily removed the weight-loss and bodybuilding supplements from their shelves due to concerns that they may be linked to several adverse health events including the deaths of two United States Army soldiers.
According to the Directorate of Strategic Communications Office of the Surgeon General, “reports from healthcare providers in all services have highlighted concerns about rapid heart beat, seizure, loss of consciousness, muscle injury during exertion, and kidney and liver damage.”
Compounding concerns, however, are the deaths of two soldiers believed to be the victims of cardiac toxicity resulting from DMAA ingestion. The summer of 2011 witnessed a 22-year-old soldier collapse during a physical fitness training run with his unit at an Army installation in the Southwest United States. Subsequently, several months later, a 32-year-old soldier collapsed upon completing the Army Physical Fitness test at the same location.
Each soldier experienced cardiac arrest while engaging in strenuous physical activity with their corresponding units. The younger of the two experienced fatal variations of high temperatures and excessive muscle breakdown. While the 32-year-old victim was able to be resuscitated, severe multiple organ failure resulted in his death one month later.
The toxicology reports of each individual revealed traces of DMAA that had been ingested through dietary supplements. However, DMAA has also been reported by military providers to cause several complications with varying degrees of severity. Due to the ambiguous nature of DMAA, the Department of Defense will continue to evaluate the potential links between these adverse health effects and the use of dietary supplements that contain DMAA. Subsequently, manufacturers of these products face a potential influx of DMAA lawsuits in the near future.
DMAA Products
The following is a comprehensive list of the dietary supplements that contain DMAA:
- NeuroCore
- Jack3d
- OxyELITE Pro
- Nutrex Lipo-6 Black products
- Nutrex Hemo-Rage Black
- Hemo Rage
- PWR
- Ripped Freak
- Spirodex
- RoxyLean
- Phenphedrine
- Rx6
- Velocity XT
- Amp 2
- HemoRush
- Muscle Spike
- iSatori PWR
- Muscletech NeuroCore
- Muscletech HydroxyStim
- Farenheit Nutrition Lean EFX
- Muscle Warfare Napalm
- SNI Nitric Blast
- BIORhythm SSIN Juice
- MuscleMeds Code Red. SEI MethylHex 4,2,
- Gaspari Nurtrition Spirodex
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.
Again, if you or a loved one has been injured by DMAA, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.