FDA Sends Out Warning About Unproven Autism Treatments

Posted on June 11, 2014 at 12:00pm by

According to DisabilityScoop.com, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning the public that many products claiming to treat or cure autism do not work and may present serious health risks.

The agency sent out a notice at the end of April to consumers saying that it has warned several companies that they may face legal action if they do not stop selling products to people while using false or misleading information.

The letter notice reportedly contained information about five therapies, which the FDA said might “carry significant health risks” and commonly rely on false claims: chelation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, miracle mineral solution, detoxifying clay baths and CocoKefir probiotics products.

The agency noted that while there are forms of legitimate therapy and interventions that can help with symptoms or behaviors when it comes to autism, the public should be aware of claims about cures or significant improvements in advertising.

“Existing autism therapies and interventions are designed to remedy specific symptoms and can bring about improvement,” FDA pediatrician Amy Taylor said in the notice, according to DisabilityScoop.com.

To view the FDA notice, you can click here. The agency made the following recommendations:

  • Be suspicious of products that claim to treat a wide range of diseases.
  • Personal testimonials are no substitute for scientific evidence.
  • Few diseases or conditions can be treated quickly, so be suspicious of any therapy claimed as a “quick fix.”
  • So-called “miracle cures,” which claim scientific breakthroughs and secret ingredients, may be a hoax.

Can I File a Lawsuit If My Child Has Autism?

As we have noted in previous blogs, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 1 in 68 children is now diagnosed with autism in America. It can be a devastating diagnosis for a family, as children with the disorder can have difficulties with social interaction, displaying problems with verbal and nonverbal communication.

Additionally, children can exhibit repetitive behaviors and have narrow, obsessive interests.

Due to this, our law firm is looking for parents of fraternal twins with autism, as we believe that there may be a link between the drug terbutaline (also known as Brethine, Bricanyl and Brethaire) and the disorder.

We are looking for fraternal twins, because unlike identical twins, they only share 50 percent DNA with their siblings, but face the same exposures during gestation, meaning they are exposed to all substances with their mother.

This includes exposure to medications and potentially harmful drugs, like terbutaline.

Help us battle back against autism. We want to see these numbers reduced. If you are the parent of autistic fraternal twins, we need your help. Contact us today.

[Did You Know: Autism diagnoses are five times more common among males than female children.]

Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP – Birth Injury Attorneys

Source: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/04/29/feds-warn-unproven-treatments/19315/