The following are substances that have at one time appeared, or currently appear, as ingredients in products labeled as dietary supplements that FDA or the U.S. Armed Services have disallowed for one reason or other. In addition, all prescription drugs and controlled substances* are not permitted for use in or as dietary supplements, but only a few are listed here. Since DoD follows federal guidelines with regard to dietary supplements, this list is provided to help military service members keep track of things to avoid when considering dietary supplement products.
Common name |
Other names |
Reason “not allowed” |
Reference links |
| Acacia rigidula |
|
New dietary ingredient lacking evidence for safe use | FDA: Acacia rigidula in Dietary Supplements |
| Aconite |
|
Potentially fatal poison. Listed in FDA’s poisonous plant database | In FDA’s Poisonous Plant-Database: (one example of more than 200 entries; see search) |
| Aegeline |
|
New dietary ingredient lacking evidence for safe use. Associated adverse events reported ** | FDA Investigation Summary: Acute Hepatitis Illnesses Linked to Certain OxyElite Pro Products and FDA Consumer Update: OxyElite Pro Supplements Recalled |
| Aromatase inhibitors | Including, but not limited to:
|
Drugs—some approved, some unapproved | FDA Enforcement Report |
| Betaphrine |
|
Synthetic substance that currently does not meet the definition of a dietary ingredient | FDA new dietary ingredient response letter |
| BMPEA |
|
Synthetic substance that currently does not meet the definition of a dietary ingredient | FDA: BMPEA in Dietary Supplements |
| DMAA |
|
Synthetic substance that currently does not meet the definition of a dietary ingredient Reports of serious adverse events | FDA: DMAA in Dietary Supplements |
| DMBA |
|
New dietary ingredient lacking evidence for safe use | FDA: DMBA in Dietary Supplements |
| Ephedra |
|
Regulation passed specifically to ban ephedra due to unreasonable risk of illness or injury | FDA: Guidance for Industry: Final Ruling Declaring Dietary Supplements Containing Ephedrine Alkaloids Adulterated… |
| HCG |
|
Prescription drug | FDA: Questions and Answers on HCG Products for Weight Loss |
| HGH |
|
Prescription drug | DEA: Human Growth Hormone |
| IGF |
|
Unapproved drug | OPSS FAQ about IGF-1 |
| Kratom |
|
New dietary ingredient lacking evidence for safe use; deadly risks associated with its use | FDA Import Alert 54-15 and Statement from FDA… |
| Methylsynephrine |
|
Synthetic substance that currently does not meet the definition of a dietary ingredient | FDA: Methylsynephrine in Dietary Supplements |
| Phenibut |
|
See OPSS FAQ | OPSS FAQ about phenibut |
| Picamilon |
|
Synthetic substance that currently does not meet the definition of a dietary ingredient | FDA: Picamilon in Dietary Supplements |
| Pseudoephedrine | Numerous brand names; most common is “Sudafed” | Prescription drug | FDA: Legal Requirements for the Sale and Purchase of Drug Products Containing Pseudoephedrine… |
| Racetams |
|
Synthetic substances that currently do not meet the definition of a dietary ingredient | FDA new dietary ingredient response letter |
| Redotex | This is a brand-name product with multiple ingredients. | Unapproved new drug | FDA Import Alert 66-35 |
| Salvia divinorum |
|
Prohibited by all individual U.S. military services | OPSS FAQ about salvia |
| SARMs | Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators: See OPSS SARMs list | Currently unapproved new drugs | FDA in Brief: FDA warns against using SARMs in body-building products |
*For a list of controlled substances, please visit the Drug Enforcement Agency to download the current version.
Updated 16 November 2017
