FDA: Significant Safety Risks With Dietary Supplements Containing Cesium Salts

The FDA is warning consumers to avoid using dietary supplements containing cesium salts due to potential safety risks, according to an agency-issued alert.

Although there are few dietary supplements with this ingredient currently on the market, the agency noted that consumers should be aware of the risks and avoid purchasing such products. Cesium salts, such as cesium chloride, are sometimes promoted as alternative treatments for cancer, despite no evidence supporting their use.

The warning comes after an FDA review identified multiple clinical case reports and non-clinical studies that demonstrate significant safety concerns associated with cesium salts. A comprehensive review of the CFSAN Adverse Event Reporting System database showed safety risks including potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias, hypokalemia, seizures, syncope, and death.

The agency previously issued a warning to health care professionals in July 2018 about the use of cesium salts in compounding drugs, citing serious adverse events.

Health care professionals should not recommend dietary supplements containing cesium salts to their patients. If any patients experience an adverse event while taking a dietary supplement containing cesium salts, the health care professional should report the adverse event to the FDA through the Safety Reporting Portal.

References:

• Public Health Alert Concerning Dietary Supplements Containing Cesium Salts [FDA Alert]. FDA’s website. https://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplement-products-ingredients/public-health-alert-concerning-dietary-supplements-containing-cesium-salts. Accessed February 7, 2020.