Transdermal Weight Loss Patch Information
By now you have probably seen it advertised on TV. An all natural, transdermal (through the skin) patch you wear that will speed up your metabolism. The claims can be pretty convincing. But, are transdermal weight loss patches really effective? And more importantly, are they safe?
The current FDA (Food and Drug Administration) status of this product is unknown. In 1999, the FDA issued the marketer of the weight loss product described here a warning letter because it did not have an approved new drug application. Because of the newness of the dosage form the FDA requires evidence of effectiveness, in the form of a new drug application, before the product can be marketed legally.
Natural and Safe Are Not One in the Same
This product is often marketed as being natural, but it is important to realize that natural does not necessarily mean safe. According to the FDA, the term natural is "often used in health fraud as an attention-grabber; it suggests a product is safer than conventional treatments". But, considering that 25 percent of prescription drugs are based on natural ingredients, this is obviously not always the case.
Time Tested and New Found Claims
The ad campaign will usually imply one or the other, but is used to suggest it is both a weight loss breakthrough as well as an age-old remedy. Any product that is touted as being a weight loss miracle, new discovery or magical innovation should be seen as immediate warnings signs. If there was really a product on the market that was a safe and effective "cure" for those with weight problems (or any disease for that matter), you would be hearing about it from the latest medical journals as well as seeing it highly publicized in the legitimate media. You wouldn't expect to see the cure for cancer on a late night infomercial, or in the back of a magazine and you should not expect to find a magic cure to achieve weight loss there either.
Also beware of advertisers offering money back guarantees with no questions asked. According to an FDA publication on transdermal patches, "Good luck getting your money back. Marketers of fraudulent products rarely stay in the same place for long. Because customers won't be able to find them, the marketers can afford to be generous with their guarantees."
For more information on transdermal patches, visit the sites below:
FDA Publication - How to Spot Health Fraud
DietFraud.com - Listing of Weight Loss Patch Scams
As with any weight loss product (prescription or over the counter), be sure to consult with a doctor before starting use.
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