The FDA issued a warning Monday regarding a product that some sellers claims to be a "miracle" drug, but in actuality, it could make people sick.
The product, which has not been cleared by the FDA, has several different names, including Miracle Mineral Solution, Miracle Mineral Supplement and Mineral Solution. Occasionally, sellers tout the product as a cure of autism, HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious diseases.
In all brands, the product comes with a pair of vials and an eyedropper. One vial contains a 28 percent mix of sodium chlorite, and the second vial contains a 50 percent citric acid solution. The directions tell users to mix equal drops of both solutions into a liquid before drinking.
But according to the FDA, mixing sodium chlorite and citric acid creates chlorine dioxide — a powerful bleaching agent.
"Miracle Mineral Solution and similar products are not FDA-approved, and ingesting these products is the same as drinking bleach," acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless said in a statement. "Consumers should not use these products, and parents should not give these products to their children for any reason.”
The FDA says it has received reports of "severe vomiting, severe diarrhea, life-threatening low blood pressure caused by dehydration and acute liver failure" from people who have used the product.
Even after the FDA issued its warning about the drops on Aug. 12, the product still appears to be available for purchase on several retailers' websites, including Walmart.com and eBay. The product listing on both websites contains warnings that the product has not been cleared by the FDA and is not approved to treat disease, but both sites have the warning hidden behind hyperlinks.
Neither company immediately responded to a request for comment.
