The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers to steer clear of the weight-loss product known as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), because the diet drug has not been approved by the FDA, and the companies selling them make unsupported claims.

The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission today issued seven warning letters to companies marketing “homeopathic” over-the counter HCG products for weight loss, which direct users to follow a severely restricted diet.

The drug is sold either as oral drops, pellets, or even a spray, and can be found online and in some retail stores. The HCG labeling for homeopathic use for weight loss states that each product should be taken in conjunction with an extremely low calorie diet, however, there is no substantial evidence that HCG increases weight loss beyond that resulting from the recommended caloric restriction. Individuals on a very low calorie diet are at increased risk for side effects, including gallstone formation, electrolyte imbalance, and heart arrhythmias.

HCG is a hormone produced by the human placenta, and found in the urine of pregnant women. The drug is FDA-approved for the treatment of some cases of female infertility and other medical conditions.

David Vladeck, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, made the following statement in a press release:

Deceptive advertising about weight loss products is one of the most prevalent types of fraud. Any advertiser who makes health claims about a product is required by federal law to back them up with competent and reliable scientific evidence, so consumers have the accurate information they need to make good decisions.

For a full list of manufacturers, distributors and products visit www.fda.gov/hcgdiet.

FDA, FTC act to remove “homeopathic” HCG weight loss products from the market [FDA]