INDIANAPOLIS -- A federal lawsuit filed in Indianapolis claims that the makers of a popular weight-loss supplement have failed to disclose that it contains a dangerous chemical.

The lawsuit, brought by two Hoosiers against drugmaker Chattem, claims that Dexatrim Max contains a hazardous chemical known as hexavalent chromium, which is not disclosed as an ingredient, 6News' Rafael Sanchez reported.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that exposure to the substance, perhaps best known as the focus of the movie "Erin Brockovich," can increase the risk of lung cancer and "other adverse health effects," according to the lawsuit.

"It's like patent medicine from the wild west," said attorney William Riley. "The doc has brought it in, selling it to the people and promising things it doesn't have, and it's also dangerous."

The lawsuit, citing a study of Dexatrim Max by an independent lab, also questions whether the supplement is even effective at helping people to lose weight.

"The [Consumer Lab] report further concludes that Dexatrim contains 'a tea blend and ginseng, which may provide an 'energizing' feeling, but (are) not known to cause weight loss,' and also 'contains many B vitamins and iodine which, although needed for metabolism, will not cause weight loss,'" the lawsuit reads.

The suit seeks more than $5 million in damages for deceptive sales practices, breach of warranty, intentional misrepresentation and unjust enrichment, and also wants the company ordered to correct its advertising.

Chattem did not return requests for comment Monday.

More Information: Full Dexatrim Lawsuit