The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued seven letters to companies warning them that they are selling illegal homeopathic HCG weight-loss drugs that have not been approved by the FDA, and that make unsupported claims.  For additional information visit www.fda.gov/hcgdiet.

The FDA does not evaluate homeopathic products for safety and effectiveness.  However, those that meet certain conditions set by FDA can be marketed.  A list of active ingredients that may legally be used in homeopathics are included in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States.  HCG is NOT on this list and therefore cannot be legally sold as homeopathic medication for any purpose.

HCG is approved by the FDA as a prescription drug for the treatment of female infertility, and other medical conditions.  It is not approved for weight loss.  Currently, however, physicians can legally prescribe HCG â??off-labelâ? for weight loss.  Off-label prescribing is a legal and common practice.  Prescribing HCG off-label is OK for now but that could change if the FDA chooses to change their stance.  There is precedent for denying off-label prescribing for specific products such as HGH (human growth hormone).

Diet and lifestyle changes seem to be safest, most reliable and effective way of losing weight. Many might say that have tried this strategy but was not successful. The reason behind it might be that they are not doing it right or simply there might be an underlying cause that is preventing them from losing weight. Examples of underlying causes  are hypothyroidism, leptin resistance, and adrenal fatigue. Checking in with a physician is probably "the weight to go", preventing you from getting discouraged from your weight loss regimen.