FDA: Watch Out for Fake Diabetes Treatments

The FDA recently issued warning letters to 15 companies that have been selling illegal products claiming to prevent and treat diabetes.

RELATED CHART: Diabetes Treatments

These illegally sold products include:

• Products sold as “natural” treatments for diabetes, but containing undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients in unknown quantities that could cause harm or complicate medical conditions;
• Dietary supplements and ayurvedic products (medicine of the healing arts that originated in India) with claims to treat, cure, and/or prevent diabetes
• Unapproved drugs sold over-the-counter, including some homeopathic products, intended to treat complications associated with diabetes, which include relieving symptoms caused by nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) in the arms and legs
• Prescription drugs for diabetes sold by online pharmacies without a prescription

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To date, the FDA is not aware of any reports of injury or illness associated with these products. Healthcare professionals are being made aware of the problem since the use of these products could delay consumers from seeking proper medical treatment for their diabetes.

FDA-approved diabetes treatments can be viewed here. 

For more information visit FDA.gov.