US FDA issues warning against Kim Kardashian's endorsement of controversial morning sickness drug

With great fame comes great responsibility, and that is what reality star Kim Kardashian must have learned after landing in hot water with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Last Friday, the agency issued a warning letter to the pharmaceutical company Duchesnay in relation to an Instagram post shared by Kardashian back in July. In the post, she had endorsed a morning sickness drug manufactured by the company.

“The social media post is false or misleading in that it presents efficacy claims for DICLEGIS, but fails to communicate any risk information associated with its use and it omits material facts,” reads the warning letter. The FDA posted a copy of the letter on its website. Addressed to executive vice president at Duchesnay, Eric Gervais, the letter warns the company about violations against the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of the United States.

The post that was apparently spreading questionable information has since been deleted. In that post, Kardashian shared a photo of herself and a bottle of the medicine. In the caption, she told her followers how much the drug has helped her deal with morning sickness during her current pregnancy.

“I felt a lot better and most importantly, it’s been studied and there was no increased risk to the baby,” the caption read.

The warning underscores Kardashian’s failure to mention the risk factors involved in taking Diclegis, as she gushed about the positive effects on her but was vague about the risks.

According to the FDA warning, Diclegis has not been tested against pregnant women who are suffering from a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. The Verge explained that the condition leads to nausea, vomiting and dehydration. Apart from this issue, several other contraindications, as well as warnings and precautions in relation to the drug, were detailed in the warning letter.

Kardashian suffered several health complications during her first preganancy. She and her husband Kanye West are now expecting their second child, and she has again been vocal about dealing with morning sickness.

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