Garcinia

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 21, 2021.

What are other common names?

• Garcinia cambogia
• Garcinia quaesita
• Mangostana cambogia
• AHC
• Assam Fruit
• Brindal Berry
• Brindall Berry
• Brindle Berry
• Brindleberry
• Cambogia
• Cambogia Binucao
• Cambogia Gummi-Guta
• Cambogin
• Camboginol
• Gambooge
• Garcinia
• Garcinia Affinis
• Garcinia Gummi-Guta
• Garcinia Sulcata
• Garcinol
• Gorikapuli
• HCA
• Hydroxycitrate
• Hydroxycitric Acid
• Kankusta
• Kudam Puli
• Malabar Tamarind
• Mangostana Cambogia
• Tamarinier de Malabar
• Vadakkan Puli
• Vrikshamla

What is this product used for?

Garcinia is used by some people who are overweight to help lose weight.

What are the precautions when taking this product?

• Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with drugs or other natural products.

• Do not use this product if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon. Use birth control you can trust while taking this product.

• Do not use this product if you are breastfeeding.

• This product may increase the amount of serotonin in your body. Do not use this product if you are taking other products that also increase serotonin in your body, such as some cough medicines, SSRIs, or MAO inhibitors. These are products like St John’s wort, dextromethorphan, fluoxetine, citalopram, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs that lower your blood sugar. These are drugs like glipizide, acarbose, metformin, or rosiglitazone.

• Take extra care if you are taking certain drugs that lower your cholesterol called “statins”, such as simvastatin, pravastatin, or atorvastatin.

• Take extra care if you are taking iron, potassium, or calcium supplements.

• Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:

  • High cholesterol levels

  • Diabetes

  • Depression

  • Heart problems

  • Liver problems

• Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.

What should I watch for?

• Upset stomach

• Dry mouth

When do I need to call the doctor?

• Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.

• Signs of low blood sugar. These include hunger, dizziness, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating.

• Very bad throwing up

• Very bad belly pain

• Very bad loose stools

• Very bad headache

• Irregular heartbeat

Where can I learn more?

Department of Defense Dietary Supplement Resource, Operation Supplement Safety