Are hCG Drops Really Illegal?

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Yesterday I wondered a bit about whether it was a conflict of interest for Christians to get involved in the sale of hCG drops. I did the Omnitrition version of the diet and didn't know while doing it that the drops were considered illegal.

One commenter assured me the hCG drops were not illegal because, if so, they couldn't be sold in drugstores. That sent me on a quest.

Before I begin, let me state, I am not talking about hCG prescribed by a physician. It is true that hCG was approved for as a fertility-related medication and once something is approved, the doctor can use that drug any way he (or she) likes. I am talking about drops sold over the counter or online (such as the Omni drops I purchased).

Yesterday, during my search, I found that hCG drops that contain the word 'homeopathic' on the label are indeed illegal. They have not been approved for homeopathic use. So, what does it mean that the label on my Omni Drops says 'homeopathic'? According to the FDA, it means there is no actual hCG in the drops.

Even used under a physician's care and with a prescription, studies show that hCG isn't what is causing the loss. It is the very low calorie diet that is doing all the work. If you are taking homeopathic drops, you are taking nothing more than a placebo. Now, placebo's do work. Our brains are funny things and often when we believe something to be true, we can make it happen (within reason of course). If you sincerely believe that you are not going to be hungry because you put ten drops of water under your tongue, there is a fair to middlin' chance you won't be hungry. Interesting to note that in all the studies of hCG, hunger was basicaily the same in those getting the actual hCG and those getting only a placebo. It's a mind thing.

Here is what Elizabeth Miller, who is a leader for the FDA's health and fraud team had to say (as quoted in The Natural Products Insider):

"Miller noted some HCG products claim to be homeopathic on labels, but are not recognized in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. Therefore, she said, these products are not recognized by FDA, so they are unapproved drugs and are illegal."

So, why aren't people being arrested for selling hCG drops? Well, there are so many snake oil salesmen out there. They just don't have the resources to do so. It's up the community at large to get the word out there. Do I believe they are dangerous? Well, honestly, I don't think the drops are. I do believe with all my heart that the diet is dangerous. I think the drops are nothing more than water to tell the truth. However, I did end up with heart troubles, dizziness, a lump in my breast, a period like none I had ever had before and a host of other problems. All of these are symptoms of the 500-calorie diet. Had I been monitored by a physician, it never would have gotten to the point it did. Those symptoms sneak up on you quickly. For that reason, I do not believe hCG drops will ever be considered a real weight loss product. Too many people are sharing their 500-calorie diet (minus the hCG) and having just as good success and just as many side effects.