U.S. flag An official website of the United States government

On Oct. 1, 2024, the FDA began implementing a reorganization impacting many parts of the agency. We are in the process of updating FDA.gov content to reflect these changes.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  1. Home
  2. Drugs
  3. Resources | Drugs
  4. Information for Consumers and Patients | Drugs
  5. Buying & Using Medicine Safely
  6. Medication Health Fraud
  7. Public Notification: Diet Master Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients
  1. Medication Health Fraud

Public Notification: Diet Master Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients

Diet Master[11-21-2013] The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to purchase or use Diet Master, a product promoted and sold for weight loss on various websites and possibly in some retail stores.

FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that Diet Master contains sibutramine. Sibutramine is a controlled substance that was removed 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, arrhythmias, or stroke.  This product may also interact, in life threatening ways, with other medications a consumer may be taking.

Laboratory analysis also confirmed that Diet Master contains phenolphthalein. Phenolphthalein was an ingredient in some over-the-counter (OTC) laxative products until 1999 when FDA reclassified the ingredient as “not generally recognized as safe and effective.”

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. 

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

  • Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
  • Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

Note: This notification is to inform the public of a growing trend of dietary supplements or conventional foods with hidden drugs and chemicals.  These products are typically promoted for sexual enhancement, weight loss, and body building, and are often represented as being “all natural.”  FDA is unable to test and identify all products marketed as dietary supplements on the market that have potentially harmful hidden ingredients.  Consumers should exercise caution before purchasing any product in the above categories. 

Resources For You

Public Notification: Diet Master Contains Hidden Drug Ingredients

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to purchase or use Diet Master, a product promoted and sold for weight loss on various websites and possibly in some retail stores.

Back to Top