loop diuretic in OTC supp

[smaretick]

According to William Llewellyn in his column in this month's MD, the OTC diet supp StarCaps contains a loop diuretic similar in structure to lasix. So, if you're interested in a potent diuretic that you can get OTC (GNC has them)...check this out before the FDA nazis see the article & pull them.

[Ulter]

It's nowhere near Lasix. Bill's loopy.

[smaretick]

Originally Posted by Ulter

It's nowhere near Lasix. Bill's loopy.

Not arguing with you but here's what he says:
"According to a study in the Journal Of Analytical Toxicology(2007 Nov-Dec;31(9):601-4),at the heart of StarCaps is much more than a simple selection of harmless vitamins and herbal ingredients. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that in addition to its normal ingredients, this dietary supplement actually contained a very powerful diuretic called bumetanide. Bumetanide is a diuretic of the loop family. This is the same type of drug as Lasix (furosemide), one of the most powerful and potentially dangerous diuretics used in competitive bodybuilding. Loop diuretics cause a dramatic increase in water excretion and also produce potassium and electrolyte depletion that need to be closely monitored for safety....Bumetanide is actually used as a substitute for furosemide when patients become resistant to the drug. So in the grand scheme of diuretics, this is definitely a powerful agent..."

He seemed to be putting this in his column more as a warning than anything else. In other words, he makes it sound pretty dangerous to use...which obviously it could be, especially if someone bought it and took it without knowing that it contained a diuretic (and was taking other meds that could be adversely affected by a diuretic).

[Ulter]

I see. Well I can't comment on any ingredient that might be in it that is not listed on the side panel. I'd have to take his word for it. I have serious doubts about it though. That's a criminal offense.

[smaretick]

Originally Posted by Ulter

I see. Well I can't comment on any ingredient that might be in it that is not listed on the side panel. I'd have to take his word for it. I have serious doubts about it though. That's a criminal offense.

That's why I was telling anyone who was interested in a 'Lasix-like' diuretic to buy it while it's still around. Llewellyn was talking about how potentially dangerous it could be given that someone could take it thinking it's for fat loss without realizing it's a powerful diuretic causing a drastic increase in water excretion and potassium & electrolyte depletion...definitely a lot more deceptive than slipping a designer steroid in a testosterone enhancing product.

[robbb]

If true that company needs to be busted....bumetinide is even more powerful than lasix...i do believe. Now that is dangerous.

[smaretick]

Originally Posted by robbb

If true that company needs to be busted....bumetinide is even more powerful than lasix...i do believe. Now that is dangerous.

Yeah, I'm thinking that I'm sure the feds read Llewellyn's column (among others) so it's just a matter of time. The not-so-funny thing about that product is it's called "NIKKI HASKELL'S STARCAPS™ DIET SYSTEM" and it seems to be marketed towards women. Like Ulter said, clearly illegal. It's stuff like this that makes the over-regulation of supplements even more likely

[ANIBOLISM]

I don't see a diuretic that is this strong in an OTC drug. Way to many chances of overdosing on it.

Bumetanide is a loop diuretic of the sulfamyl category to treat heart failure. It is often used in patients in whom high doses of furosemide are ineffective. It is marketed by Hoffmann-La Roche with the brand name Bumex. The main difference between the two substances is in bioavailability. Furosemide is incompletely absorbed in the intestine (40%), and there is substantial inter- and intraindividual differences in bioavailability (range 10-90%). Bumetanide is completely absorbed (80%), and the absorption is not altered when it is taken with food. It is said to be a more predictable diuretic, meaning that the predictable absorption is reflected in a more predictable effect.

Bumetanide is 40 times more potent than furosemide (for patients with normal renal function).

[Ulter]

It's curious that Bill just happened to pick that one drug and test this product for it with HPLC. He had to know what he was looking for.

[smaretick]

Originally Posted by Ulter

It's curious that Bill just happened to pick that one drug and test this product for it with HPLC. He had to know what he was looking for.

Llewellyn just published the results of a study in JAT, he didn't do the actual testing.
Here's the link to the Journal of Analytical Toxicology in which the article appeared in and a direct quote from the article:
SHORT COMMUNICATION: Detection of Bumetanide in an Over-the-Counter Dietary Supplement
"The specimens were analyzed by a high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry quadrupole (HPLC–MS) method, and bumetanide was detected in all specimens (4.6 to 351.3 ng/mL). "

...looks like the real deal to me.
Just the kind of bad press the supplement industry needs