Overview

Hoodia is a cactus-type plant from the Kalahari Desert in Africa.

People use hoodia to curb their appetite so they can lose weight. According to some claims, San bushmen in Africa eat hoodia to fight off hunger during long hunts.

Be careful when buying hoodia products. According to news reports, some samples of hoodia sold on the Internet do not contain any hoodia at all. You might not get what's listed on the label. Also, a certain hoodia product (P57 Hoodia, Huikng Pharmaceuticals) has been shown to contain sibutramine. Sibutramine is a substance removed from the US market in 2010 due to its potential to increase blood pressure and heart rate.

How does it work ?

One chemical in hoodia called P57 is thought to decrease feelings of hunger. But it's not clear how P57 causes this effect. Another chemical in hoodia called gordonoside F is thought to decrease feelings of hunger by increasing the production of insulin.

One chemical in hoodia called P57 is thought to decrease feelings of hunger. But it's not clear how P57 causes this effect. Another chemical in hoodia called gordonoside F is thought to decrease feelings of hunger by increasing the production of insulin.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Weight loss. Drinking a raspberry-flavored yogurt drink containing hoodia extract for 15 days does not seem to reduce food intake or increase weight loss in overweight women.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of hoodia for this use.

Side Effects

There isn't enough information to know if hoodia is safe. There is some evidence that hoodia might cause minor side effects such as headache, dizziness, giddiness, nausea, and unusual skin sensations. Also, there is concern that hoodia might increase blood pressure and heart rate.

Special Precautions and Warnings

There isn't enough information to know if hoodia is safe. There is some evidence that hoodia might cause minor side effects such as headache, dizziness, giddiness, nausea, and unusual skin sensations. Also, there is concern that hoodia might increase blood pressure and heart rate.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of hoodia during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Diabetes: Hoodia might lower blood sugar by increasing the production of insulin. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you are being treated for diabetes and use hoodia.

High blood pressure: Hoodia might increase blood pressure. This might cause blood pressure to become too high in people already at risk for high blood pressure.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Insulin interacts with HOODIA

    Hoodia might lower blood sugar by increasing the production of insulin. Taking hoodia along with insulin might cause your blood sugar to be too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your insulin might need to be changed.

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with HOODIA

    Hoodia might lower blood sugar by increasing the production of insulin. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking hoodia along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
    Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with HOODIA

    Hoodia might increase blood pressure in some people. Taking hoodia along with blood pressure-lowering medications might decrease the effects of the medications and cause your blood pressure to go too high.
    Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Beta-blockers) interacts with HOODIA

    Hoodia might increase blood pressure. Beta-blockers are a type of medicine used to lower blood pressure. Taking hoodia along with beta-blockers might decrease the effects of the beta-blockers and cause your blood pressure to go too high.
    Some beta-blockers include atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of hoodia depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for hoodia. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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