‘U-Dream Life’ Sleep-Aid Caused Heart Attack, Class Action Says

A class action lawsuit filed in Canada alleges that “U-Dream Life” sleep-aids led to a British Columbia trucker’s heart attack.

Lead plaintiff James Ruckman says in the U-Dream Life sleep aid class action lawsuit that he bought the herbal supplement at a Whole Foods store in B.C. in September 2019.

The plaintiff claims he took the supplement for 10 days after he purchased it. On Sept. 30, Ruckman alleges that he had a heart attack.

The heart attack left him in the hospital for 12 days, says the plaintiff. During that time, he allegedly lost both his job as a truck driver and his license.

U-Dream Life sleep-aid is allegedly manufactured by Biotrade. It was sold over-the-counter in both the U.S. and Canada. However, health agencies in both countries have recently issued warnings about a hidden ingredient in the so-called dietary supplement.

Health Canada issued a warning about U-Dream herbal sleep-aid and similar products on Dec. 12, 2019.

“Health Canada is advising Canadians that it has tested several U-Dream Lite and U-Dream Full Night herbal sleep-aid products and has found that they contain a substance similar to the prescription drug zopiclone, which may pose serious health risks,” says the health agency’s statement.

The statement further notes that, while zopiclone is used to treat insomnia, it carries side effects, including “drowsiness, dizziness, memory loss, hallucinations and abnormal sleep behaviours while not fully awake including sleep driving.”

The agency also states that users can become dependent on the substance and, if they abruptly stop taking zopiclone, they may suffer severe effects, including convulsions, tremor, muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, hallucinations and difficulty sleeping.

Health Canada indicates in its statement that it made the manufacture and sale of U-Dream Life sleep-aid products illegal by suspending the products’ licenses. The agency notes that reports of other side effects may indicate that other ingredients are included in the product.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a similar warning over U-Dream Full Night. The agency issued a notification on Dec. 18, 2019 warning the public that the product contains a hidden ingredient structurally similar to a prescription medication called Lunesta with the active ingredient eszopiclone.

“Eszopiclone and zopiclone are known to cause impairment of driving and other activities that require alertness the next morning or next day after use. These ingredients may also cause dry mouth, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, memory loss, and abnormal thoughts and behavior,” warns the FDA.

The FDA statement also warns the public of a growing trend that may pose a hazard. Dietary supplements and even conventional foods, warns the agency, have been found laced with hidden chemicals.

Generally, these items are touted for weight loss, improved sex drive or performance, and bodybuilding. They are often advertised as “all natural.”

“FDA is unable to test and identify all products marketed as dietary supplements that have potentially harmful hidden ingredients. Consumers should exercise caution before purchasing any product in the above categories.”

According to the U-Dream Life sleep-aid class action lawsuit, Biotrade has also warned consumers about its own product, advising them to discontinue use until the company conducts its own studies.

Did you suffer side effects after taking a U-Dream Life sleep-aid product? Tell us your story in the comments below!

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