ST LOUIS (MD Consult) - On July 30, 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about a product known as Miracle Mineral Supplement (MMS). The product is an oral liquid that, when used as directed, produces an industrial bleach that can cause serious harm to health.

Product instructions direct consumers to mix the 28% sodium chlorite solution with an acid (eg, citrus juice). This mixture produces chlorine dioxide, a potent bleach commercially used for stripping textiles and for industrial water treatment. High oral doses of this bleach, such as those recommended in the labeling, can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and symptoms of severe dehydration. The FDA has received several reports of health injuries from consumers who have used this product, including severe nausea, vomiting, and life-threatening hypotension as a result of dehydration.

Makers of MMS claim that the product is useful in treating multiple unrelated diseases, including infection with human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis, H1N1 influenza, the common cold, acne, cancer, and other conditions. The FDA has no awareness of any research that MMS is effective in treating any of these conditions. The use of MMS also poses a significant health risk to consumers who may choose to use this product for self-treatment instead of seeking FDA-approved treatments for these conditions.

MMS is distributed on Internet sites and online auctions by multiple independent distributors. Although the products share the MMS name, the look of the labeling may vary.

The FDA is continuing to investigate MMS and may pursue civil or criminal enforcement actions as appropriate to protect the public from this potentially dangerous product. Persons taking MMS are being told to immediately discontinue use and contact their physician if they have experienced any related problems. Health care professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events related to the use of MMS to the FDA's MedWatch Program.