Recent analysis of 17 brands of sports/energy and weight loss supplements sold in the U.S. found nine prohibited stimulants formulated into eight different combinations, and none of these combinations have been studied in people. The stimulants identified in the products do not have approval for oral use as drug or supplement ingredients, or have been explicitly prohibited in dietary supplements by the FDA and/or prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Cohen, Clin Toxicol 2021).

The supplements were purchased online in April 2018, and all were labeled as containing deterenol, a stimulant drug that has never been approved for use in humans in the U.S. Limited studies in people have shown that, in doses ranging from 2 to 3mg/kg, deterenol may cause adverse effects such as flushing, tingling of extremities and face, anxiety, decreased diastolic blood pressure and increased heart rate. At a dose of 5mg/kg, it can cause inability to sit up, blurred vision, palpitations, weakness and respiratory distress. Deterenol may be listed on labels under other names, including isopropylnorsynephrine, isopropylnorsynephrine HCl, N-isopropylnorsynephrine HCl and isopropyloctopamine.

Doses of deterenol found in the products ranged from 2.7 to 17 mg per serving, and up to 69 mg per day when following recommended serving sizes provided on the label.

Deterenol was not detected in four brands (24%) labeled as containing the drug, although all of the products were found to contain at least one non-approved or prohibited stimulant. In eight of 17 brands (47%), deterenol was the only stimulant found to be present.

Eight of the brands tested contained multiple prohibited stimulants: four brands (24%, 4/17) included two stimulants, two (12%, 2/17) combined three stimulants, and two (12%, 2/17) combined four stimulants. Other prohibited stimulants found in the products included phenpromethamine (Vonedrine), oxilofrine, octodrine, beta-methylphenylethylamine (BMPEA), 1,3-dimethylamylamine (1,3-DMAA), 1,4-dimethylamylamine (1,4-DMAA), 1,3-dimethylbutylamine (1,3-DMBA) and higenamine.

Phenpromethamine was the second most common stimulant found in the supplements, occurring in four (24%) of the brands tested — only one of which listed the drug on the label (as the synonym n-methyl-beta-methylphenylethylamine). Phenpromethamine was used in the U.S. as an inhaler drug for asthma until the FDA withdrew approval for the brand name version in 1971. Phenpromethamine has never been approved for oral use in the U.S. or in other countries, and its safety when taken orally is unknown.

To see the brand names of workout supplements found in the study to contain deterenol or other banned stimulants, see the Muscle & Workout Supplements Review.

For a list of weight loss supplements found to contain deterenol or other banned stimulants, see the Weight Loss Supplements Review.

For more information, use the link below.

Nine prohibited stimulants found in sports and weight loss supplements: deterenol, phenpromethamine (Vonedrine), oxilofrine, octodrine, beta-methylphenylethylamine (BMPEA), 1,3-dimethylamylamine (1,3-DMAA), 1,4-dimethylamylamine (1,4-DMAA), 1,3-dimethylbutylamine (1,3-DMBA) and higenamine

See Related Warnings:

New Synthetic Stimulant Found in Supplements

Large Doses of Stimulant Methylsynephrine Found In Weight Loss Supplements

DMHA and Phenibut Are Not Permitted in Dietary Supplements, Warns FDA

FDA Identifies More Products Listing Synthetic Amphetamine

FDA Warns Consumers About The Dangers Of DMAA

Higenamine -- A Potentially Dangerous Stimulant -- Found in Some Supplements