TY - JOUR
T1 - Two Cases of Thyrotoxicosis due to Redotex Ingestion, a Mexican Weight Loss Drug
AU - Gao, Han Tony
AU - Lasoff, Daniel
AU - Minns, Alicia
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Inc.
PY - 2021/4
Y1 - 2021/4
N2 - Background: Redotex™ is a Mexican weight-loss supplement that is not U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved. It consists of the following five ingredients: tri-iodothyronine 75 μg, atropine 0.36 mg, diazepam 8 mg, aloin 16 mg, and d-norpseudoephedrine 50 mg per tablet. There are few case reports with clinically severe ingestions. We report two cases of clinical thyrotoxicosis due to use of Redotex. Case Reports: A 29-year-old woman presented to the emergency department (ED) with anxiety and palpitations. She reported taking Redotex daily for 1 week. Her temperature was 37.1°C, blood pressure (BP) was 166/104 mm Hg, and heart rate (HR) was 140 beats/min. Laboratory analysis was significant for a bicarbonate level of 20 mmol/L (reference 22–29 mmol/L), free T4 0.75 ng/dL (reference 0.93–1.70 ng/dL), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) 0.05 uIU/mL (reference 0.27–4.20 uIU/mL). She was treated with 2 mg i.v. lorazepam and 20 mg oral propranolol. A 37-year-old woman presented with chest pain, palpitations, and nausea after taking Redotex 1 to 2 tablets daily for 6 weeks. Her HR was 134 beats/min and BP was 130/66 mm Hg. Thyroid function tests on initial presentation showed a TSH of 0.013 uU/mL, free T4 of 0.24 ng/dL, and free T3 of >30 pg/mL. She was treated with propranolol 1 mg i.v. twice per day and 2 doses of lorazepam 1 mg. Both patients had resolution of their symptoms. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?: When taken chronically and at recommended doses, Redotex can present with clinically significant T3 thyrotoxicosis. This has not been seen in prior reports.
AB - Background: Redotex™ is a Mexican weight-loss supplement that is not U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved. It consists of the following five ingredients: tri-iodothyronine 75 μg, atropine 0.36 mg, diazepam 8 mg, aloin 16 mg, and d-norpseudoephedrine 50 mg per tablet. There are few case reports with clinically severe ingestions. We report two cases of clinical thyrotoxicosis due to use of Redotex. Case Reports: A 29-year-old woman presented to the emergency department (ED) with anxiety and palpitations. She reported taking Redotex daily for 1 week. Her temperature was 37.1°C, blood pressure (BP) was 166/104 mm Hg, and heart rate (HR) was 140 beats/min. Laboratory analysis was significant for a bicarbonate level of 20 mmol/L (reference 22–29 mmol/L), free T4 0.75 ng/dL (reference 0.93–1.70 ng/dL), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) 0.05 uIU/mL (reference 0.27–4.20 uIU/mL). She was treated with 2 mg i.v. lorazepam and 20 mg oral propranolol. A 37-year-old woman presented with chest pain, palpitations, and nausea after taking Redotex 1 to 2 tablets daily for 6 weeks. Her HR was 134 beats/min and BP was 130/66 mm Hg. Thyroid function tests on initial presentation showed a TSH of 0.013 uU/mL, free T4 of 0.24 ng/dL, and free T3 of >30 pg/mL. She was treated with propranolol 1 mg i.v. twice per day and 2 doses of lorazepam 1 mg. Both patients had resolution of their symptoms. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?: When taken chronically and at recommended doses, Redotex can present with clinically significant T3 thyrotoxicosis. This has not been seen in prior reports.
KW - medication
KW - thyrotoxicosis
KW - weight loss
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jemermed.2020.10.035
DO - 10.1016/j.jemermed.2020.10.035
M3 - Article
C2 - 33414048
AN - SCOPUS:85098789423
SN - 0736-4679
VL - 60
SP - 495
EP - 497
JO - Journal of Emergency Medicine
JF - Journal of Emergency Medicine
IS - 4
ER -