Fraudulent Products

FDA is concerned about the potential health risks associated with products that claim to treat a variety of health issues or conditions. Consumers should avoid products marketed as supplements or other types of products that claim to have effects similar to prescription drugs.

These products are a waste of money and there is no guarantee these fraudulent products will work as they claim they will. Many of these products pose a serious risk to your health and can have life-threatening outcomes. Bottom line: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Consumers should look for these warning signs:

Products claiming to be alternatives to FDA-approved drugs or to have effects similar to prescription drugs such as anabolic steroids.
Products that are marketed primarily in a foreign language.
Products with unproven claims that are marketed through mass emails or through infomercials, or available in places you would not normally purchase a drug such as a gas station or online marketplaces.
Products promising rapid effects such as sexual enhancement products that claim to work in minutes or with long-lasting effects such as 24 hours and weight loss products that claim to significantly reduce weight in weeks.

Removing fraudulent products from the market remains one of the agency’s top priorities and the agency warns companies about promoting products with unproven claims. The agency also alerts consumers about specific products when it learns of issues such serious health concerns or adverse events related to these fraudulent products.

Certain bodybuilding products put consumers at risk for heart attack, stroke and serious liver damage, Dec. 2, 2025
FDA warns about heavy metal poisoning associated with certain unapproved ayurvedic drug products, Oct. 2, 2023; updated Dec. 2, 2025
Using fat-dissolving injections that are not FDA approved can be harmful, Dec. 20, 2023
FDA warns consumers not to purchase or use Artri and Ortiga products, which may contain hidden drug ingredients, April 20, 2022; updated July 3, 2023

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