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Dietary supplement

Garcinia HCA Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Life Extension

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Garcinia HCA is a dietary supplement by Life Extension with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for weight loss, appetite suppression, curbing sugar and carb cravings.Based on those ingredients, 704 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Garcinia cambogia Fruit Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Garcinia HCA by Life Extension

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This supplement contains one active ingredient: garcinia cambogia fruit extract, which is the source of hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the compound believed to be responsible for the product's effects. The capsule also contains inactive ingredients — cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, gum acacia, and ascorbyl palmitate — which are fillers and binders.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Garcinia's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: weight loss and appetite control.
  • We looked for evidence on: Obesity, appetite suppression, metabolic support, weight management.
  • The closest evidence on file: Garcinia is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Obesity (Natural Medicines).

The evidence for garcinia's effectiveness isn't established in the data we hold. For obesity, athletic performance, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), and fatty liver disease, the ratings are all insufficient reliable evidence to rate, meaning clinical trials haven't yet provided strong enough proof that it works for these purposes.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Garcinia

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Garcinia is generally well tolerated in short-term use, though we do need to flag some real concerns. The most common side effects in studies are diarrhea, upset stomach, headache, and nausea.

Rare but serious reports exist of liver injury (hepatotoxicity), liver failure, mania (especially if you have bipolar disorder), pancreatitis, and in one case, severe heart inflammation. Don't use this during pregnancy — there isn't enough safety data to know whether it's safe for your baby.

The same goes for breastfeeding: we don't have enough information, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Garcinia

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Garcinia.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 705 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before you take Garcinia HCA, check your medications against these types: serotonergic drugs like SSRIs or SNRIs (antidepressants), blood thinners (anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs), medications that could stress your liver, and diabetes drugs. All carry Moderate severity interactions with the garcinia in this product.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Garcinia HCA may appeal to someone looking to manage weight or cholesterol, but the evidence that it actually works isn't clear. If you take an antidepressant, blood thinner, diabetes medication, or anything that affects your liver, you need to check with us before starting this.

Even short-term use carries a small risk of serious liver or heart problems, so it's worth a conversation with your pharmacist.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Feb 23, 2025.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Garcinia HCA, straight from the product label.

Brand Life Extension
Barcode (UPC) 737870173809
Net contents 90 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 23, 2025
DSLD ID 328462
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Garcinia HCA by Life Extension, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Servings per container
90
UPC/BARCODE
737870173809
IngredientAmount% DV
Garcinia cambogia Fruit Extract500 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Gum Acacia, Ascorbyl Palmitate

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

Scan for product info

Precautions

Read the entire label and follow the directions carefully prior to use.

Warnings: Keep out of reach of children.

Do not exceed recommended dose. Do not purchase if outer seal is broken or damaged.

When using nutritional supplements, please consult with your physician if you are undergoing treatment for a medical condition or if you are pregnant or lactating.

Warning: Reproductive harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

To report a serious adverse event or obtain product information, contact 1-866-280-2852.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: Take one (1) capsule three times daily, or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner. Best taken 45 minutes before meals. This supplement should be taken in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise program. Results may vary.

Formulation

Gluten Free Non GMO LE Certified

Weight management support

Seals/Symbols

Non GMO LE Certified

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Storage

Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

See for yourself

Garcinia HCA by Life Extension label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Garcinia HCA by Life Extension

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container90 Amounts shown are per serving.

Garcinia cambogia Fruit Extract

Interacts with
704 drugs
500 mg per serving Form: Hydroxycitric Acid

Garcinia is a tropical fruit whose rind contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA), widely marketed for weight loss and appetite control. The scientific eviden...

Garcinia cambogia Fruit Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Gum Acacia, Ascorbyl Palmitate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Garcinia HCA by Life Extension Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Garcinia HCA?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
704Drugs
704 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Garcinia HCA with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Garcinia cambogia Fruit Extract4 drug types · 704 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the main active ingredient in garcinia, might increase the risk of bleeding when used with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.
HCA inhibits platelet aggregation in vitro. The inhibitory effect seems to be greater in platelets extracted from diabetic subjects than non-diabetic subjects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the main active ingredient in garcinia, might have additive effects with antidiabetes drugs and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
HCA reduces fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels in animal models, theoretically by delaying glucose absorption. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Hepatotoxic Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of developing liver damage.
There have been reports of acute hepatitis with elevated liver enzymes associated with garcinia, when taken alone or in combination with other ingredients. Case reports collected from the Drug Induced Liver Injury Network suggest this risk may be greater in people who carry the HLA B*35:01 allele.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Serotonergic Drugs

Theoretically, combining garcinia with other serotonergic drugs might increase the risk of serotonergic side effects, including serotonin syndrome.
In one report, a patient experienced serotonin syndrome after taking garcinia extract (60% hydroxycitric acid) 1000 mg daily in combination with escitalopram 20 mg, which had been taken for a year. The patient was switched to sertraline 50 mg daily and again experienced serotonin syndrome.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Garcinia HCA, from the product label.

Life Extension

See all Life Extension products
Name
Quality Supplements and Vitamins, Inc.
City
Ft. Lauderdale
State
FL
ZipCode
33309
Phone Number
1-866-280-2852
Web Address
LifeExtension.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Garcinia HCA by Life Extension: Common Questions

Does Garcinia HCA by Life Extension interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Garcinia HCA has a known interaction with 704 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Garcinia HCA contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this if I'm on an antidepressant?
Not without checking first. Garcinia has a documented interaction with serotonergic drugs — there's a case report of someone who developed serotonin syndrome when they combined garcinia with escitalopram. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before adding this to your regimen.
What's the most common side effect?
Diarrhea and gastrointestinal discomfort are the most frequent complaints in studies. Headache and nausea also happen. Most people tolerate it well in the short term, but these digestive effects are worth keeping in mind.
Does garcinia actually help with weight loss?
The evidence isn't strong enough to rate. We don't have reliable clinical proof that garcinia works for obesity, so it's worth being skeptical of weight-loss claims before you invest in it.
Is it safe if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — there isn't enough safety data for either. The safety information advises against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor before taking it.
What is hydroxycitric acid, and why is it in this product?
Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is the main active compound in garcinia cambogia fruit. It's included because it's believed to be the ingredient responsible for the supplement's effects on weight, cholesterol, and blood sugar — though clinical proof in humans is lacking.
Can this hurt my liver?
Garcinia has been linked to rare cases of liver injury and even liver failure. While serious problems are uncommon, there have been real case reports, so caution is warranted — especially if you take other medications that affect your liver.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Garcinia HCA is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Garcinia HCA label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Garcinia HCA's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 44 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Garcinia 44 references
  1. Heymsfield SB, Allison DB, Vasselli JR, et al. Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 1998;280:1596-600. PubMed
  2. Soni MG, Burdock GA, Preuss HG, et al. Safety assessment of (-)-hydroxycitric acid and Super CitriMax, a novel calcium/potassium salt. Food Chem Toxicol 2004;42:1513-29. PubMed
  3. Stevens T, Qadri A, Zein NN. Two patients with acute liver injury associated with use of the herbal weight-loss supplement hydroxycut. Ann Intern Med 2005;142:477-8. PubMed
  4. Willis SL, Moawad FJ, Hartzell JD, et al. Hypertensive retinopathy associated with use of the ephedra-free weight-loss herbal supplement Hydroxycut. MedGenMed 2006;8:82.
  5. Preuss HG, Bagchi D, Bagchi M, et al. Effects of a natural extract of (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA-SX) and a combination of HCA-SX plus niacin-bound chromium and Gymnema sylvestre extract on weight loss. Diabetes Obes Metab 2004;6:171-180.
  6. Mansi IA, Huang J. Rhabdomyolysis in response to weight-loss herbal medicine. Am J Med Sci 2004;327:356-357. PubMed
  7. Lopez AM, Kornegay J, Hendrickson RG. Serotonin Toxicity Associated with Garcinia cambogia Over-the-counter Supplement. J Med Toxicol. 2014 Apr 4. [Epub ahead of print]. PubMed
  8. Michno A, Skibowska A, Raszeja-Specht A, Cwikowska J, Szutowicz A. The role of adenosine triphosphate citrate lyase in the metabolism of acetyl coenzyme a and function of blood platelets in diabetes mellitus. Metabolism 2004;53(1):66-72. PubMed
  9. Asghar M, Monjok E, Kouamou G, et al. Super CitriMax (HCA-SX) attenuates increases in oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, and body weight in developing obese Zucker rats. Mol Cell Biochem 2007;304(1-2):93-99. PubMed
  10. Wielinga PY, Wachters-Hagedoorn RE, Bouter B, et al. Hydroxycitric acid delays intestinal glucose absorption in rats. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2005;288(6):G1144-G1149. PubMed
  11. Leonhardt M, Balkan B, Langhans W. Effect of hydroxycitrate on respiratory quotient, energy expenditure, and glucose tolerance in male rats after a period of restrictive feeding. Nutrition 2004;20(10):911-915. PubMed
  12. Bunchorntavakul, C. and Reddy, K. R. Review article: herbal and dietary supplement hepatotoxicity. Aliment.Pharmacol.Ther 2013;37(1):3-17. PubMed
  13. Vasques CA, Schneider R, Klein-Júnior LC, et al. Hypolipemic effect of Garcinia Cambogia in obese women. Phytother Res 2014;28(6):887-91.
  14. Marquez F, Babio N, Bullo M, Salas-Salvado J. Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of hydroxycitric acid or Garcinia cambogia extracts in humans. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2012;52:585-94.
  15. Allen SF, Godley RW, Evron JM, et al. Acute necrotizing eosinophilic myocarditis in a patient taking Garcinia cambogia extract successfully treated with high-dose corticosteroids. Can J Cardiol 2014;30(12):1732 e13-1732 e15. PubMed
  16. Dara L, Hewett J, Lim JK. Hydroxycut hepatotoxicity: a case series and review of liver toxicity from herbal weight loss supplements. World J Gastroenterol. 2008 Dec 7;14(45):6999-7004. PubMed
  17. Sharma T, Wong L, Tsai N, Wong RD. Hydroxycut(®) (herbal weight loss supplement) induced hepatotoxicity: a case report and review of literature. Hawaii Med J. 2010 Aug;69(8):188-90.
  18. Rashid NN, Grant J. Hydroxycut hepatotoxicity. Med J Aust. 2010 Feb 1;192(3):173-4. PubMed
  19. Actis GC, Bugianesi E, Ottobrelli A, Rizzetto M. Fatal liver failure following food supplements during chronic treatment with montelukast. Dig Liver Dis. 2007 Oct;39(10):953-5. PubMed
  20. Corey R, Werner KT, Singer A, Moss A, Smith M, Noelting J, Rakela J. Acute liver failure associated with Garcinia cambogia use. Ann Hepatol. 2016 Jan-Feb;15(1):123-6. PubMed
  21. Melendez-Rosado J, Snipelisky D, Matcha G, Stancampiano F. Acute hepatitis induced by pure Garcinia cambogia. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2015 May-Jun;49(5):449-50. PubMed
  22. García-Cortés M, Robles-Díaz M, Ortega-Alonso A, Medina-Caliz I, Andrade RJ. Hepatotoxicity by Dietary Supplements: A Tabular Listing and Clinical Characteristics. Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Apr 9;17(4):537. PubMed
  23. Dehoney S, Wellein M. Rhabdomyolysis associated with the nutritional supplement Hydroxycut. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2009;66(2):142-8. PubMed
  24. Fong TL, Klontz KC, Canas-Coto A, et al. Hepatotoxicity due to hydroxycut: a case series. Am J Gastroenterol. 2010;105(7):1561-6. PubMed
  25. Hendrickson BP, Shaikh N, Occhiogrosso M, Penzner JB. Mania Induced by Garcinia cambogia: A Case Series. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2016;18(2).
  26. Kaswala D, Shah S, Patel N, Raisoni S, Swaminathan S. Hydroxycut-induced Liver Toxicity. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2014; 4(1):143-5. PubMed
  27. Lobb A. Hepatoxicity associated with weight-loss supplements: a case for better post-marketing surveillance. World J Gastroenterol. 2009;15(14):1786-7. PubMed
  28. Lunsford KE, Bodzin AS, Reino DC, Wang HL, Busuttil RW. Dangerous dietary supplements: Garcinia cambogia -associated hepatic failure requiring transplantation. World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(45):10071-10076.
  29. Narasimha A, Shetty PH, Nanjundaswamy MH, Viswanath B, Bada Math S. Hydroxycut - Dietary supplements for weight loss: Can they induce mania? Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2013;47(12):1205-6. PubMed
  30. Shim M, Saab S. Severe hepatotoxicity due to Hydroxycut: a case report. Dig Dis Sci. 2009;54(2):406-8. PubMed
  31. Stohs SJ, Preuss HG, Ohia SE, et al. No evidence demonstrating hepatotoxicity associated with hydroxycitric acid. World J Gastroenterol. 2009;15(32):4087-9. PubMed
  32. Gavril A, Ribnikar M, Smid L, Luzar B, Stabuc B. Fat burner-induced acute liver injury: case series of four patients. Nutrition. 2018;47:110-114. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2017.10.002. PubMed
  33. Bystrak T, Cervera-Hernandez ME, Reddy N, King Z, Bratberg J. Garcinia cambogia, diabetic ketoacidosis, and pancreatitis. R I Med J (2013). 2017 Oct 2;100(10):48-50. NO DOI
  34. Smith RJ, Bertilone C, Robertson AG. Fulminant liver failure and transplantation after use of dietary supplements. Med J Aust. 2016;204(1):30-2. PubMed
  35. Nguyen DC, Timmer TK, Davison BC, McGrane IR. Possible Garcinia cambogia-induced mania with psychosis: a case report. J Pharm Pract 2019;32(1):99-102. doi: 10.1177/0897190017734728.
  36. Yousaf MN, Chaudhary FS, Hodanazari SM, Sittambalam CD. Hepatotoxicity associated with Garcinia cambogia: a case report. World J Hepatol 2019;11(11):735-42.
  37. Mas Ordeig A, Bordón García N. Hepatotoxicity caused by Garcinia cambogia. Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020;43(3):134-5. DOI
  38. Cho HK, Han YS, Park JM. Ocular complications of Garcinia cambogia extract diet pills: case report. Eur J Ophthalmol 2019:1120672119872364. PubMed
  39. Ferreira V, Mathieu A, Soucy G, Giard JM, Erard-Poinsot D. Acute severe liver injury related to long-term Garcinia cambogia intake. ACG Case Rep J. 2020;7(8):e00429. PubMed
  40. Iqbal U, Anwar H, Siddiqui HU, Mehmood A. Acute Pancreatitis Secondary to Use of Appetite Suppressant: Garcinia cambogia. Cureus. 2019;11(5):e4676. PubMed
  41. Grigos A, Benmoussa J, Sandhu J, Chaucer B, Clarke M, SH Patel. Acute pancreatitis secondary to Garcinia cambogia; the unknown cost of herbal supplements. JOP. J Pancreas (Online) 2016; 17(3):316-317.
  42. Sidhu RLS, Labana S, Khehra L. Garcinia cambogia: a link between the "miracle" weight loss pill and acute pancreatitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2016. 111:S560-S561. DOI
  43. Vuppalanchi R, Bonkovsky HL, Ahmad J, et al. Garcinia cambogia, Either Alone or in Combination With Green Tea, Causes Moderate to Severe Liver Injury. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021. PubMed
  44. Calaquian LL, Yau I. Garcinia cambogia-A Supplement-Related Liver Injury. Cureus 2022;14(2):e22225. PubMed

See these in context on the Garcinia monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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