Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Hoodia Extract 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by BulkSupplements.com

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

Hoodia Extract 500 mg is a dietary supplement by BulkSupplements.com with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for appetite suppression, weight loss, reducing food cravings.Based on those ingredients, 262 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Hoodia Leaf Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Hoodia Extract 500 mg by BulkSupplements.com

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 product contains one active ingredient: hoodia leaf extract, 500 mg per capsule. Hoodia is a plant from southern Africa traditionally used as an appetite suppressant.

The capsule itself is made from hypromellose, a common inactive ingredient.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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 assessable

This is a single-ingredient Hoodia product and its label doesn't state a use — see Hoodia's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence for hoodia in obesity is insufficient — we don't have reliable data showing it works for weight loss. While it's been studied, the current research doesn't establish it as an effective treatment.

If weight management is your goal, talk with your doctor about what's proven to help.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Hoodia

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.

Hoodia has limited safety data. The adverse effects reported in trials include headache, dizziness, giddiness, nausea, and disturbances of skin sensation — though these appear minor in frequency.

There's also concern that it may raise blood pressure and heart rate. Because safety information during pregnancy and breastfeeding is insufficient, the data advises against use in both situations.

If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Hoodia

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 — Hoodia.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 262 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.

If you're on blood pressure medication (antihypertensives like captopril or losartan), beta-blockers (like atenolol), antidiabetes drugs, or insulin, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding hoodia — it may reduce how well these medications work and raise health risks.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Hoodia extract is one to check with your own healthcare provider before starting, especially if you take blood pressure, heart, diabetes, or insulin medications — the interactions could weaken those drugs or cause low blood sugar. Evidence for weight loss is lacking.

Because side effects and safety gaps exist, it's worth having that conversation with your doctor or pharmacist before you begin.

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 May 23, 2024.

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 Hoodia Extract 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand BulkSupplements.com
Barcode (UPC) 849720011893
Net contents 100 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 23, 2024
DSLD ID 313509
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy 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 Hoodia Extract 500 mg by BulkSupplements.com, 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 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
100
UPC/BARCODE
849720011893
IngredientAmount% DV
Hoodia Leaf Extract500 mg--

Other ingredients: Hypromellose

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.
Brand IP Statement(s)

BulkSupplements.com Clean & pure bulk supplements

FDA Disclaimer Statement

Warning: This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Precautions

Always consult a physician before taking any dietary supplement.

Keep out of reach of children.

Formulation

Free of: Added sugar, soy, dairy, yeast, gluten, additives

Color may vary

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule once daily, or as directed by a physician.

Storage

Store in a dry, cool place

See for yourself

Hoodia Extract 500 mg by BulkSupplements.com label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Hoodia Extract 500 mg by BulkSupplements.com

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container100 Amounts shown are per serving.

Hoodia Leaf Extract

Interacts with
262 drugs
500 mg per serving Form: Hoodia gordonii Leaf Extract

Hoodia is a succulent plant from southern Africa that is marketed as an appetite suppressant for weight loss, but solid human evidence that it actuall...

Hoodia Leaf Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Hoodia Extract 500 mg by BulkSupplements.com Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Hoodia Extract 500 mg?

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
262Drugs
262 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Hoodia Extract 500 mg 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.

Hoodia Leaf Extract4 drug types · 262 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Animal research shows that a steroid glycoside of hoodia, gordonoside F, increases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by activating GPR119. This effect enhances glucose disposal. Theoretically, concomitant use of hoodia with antidiabetes medications may enhance blood glucose-lowering effects and increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Some antidiabetes medications include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Clinical research shows that hoodia can increase blood pressure. Theoretically, concomitant use of hoodia with antihypertensive drugs might decrease the effectiveness of the antihypertensive drugs and increase the risk of hypertension. Some antihypertensive drugs include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Beta-Blockers

Evidence from in vitro research shows that hoodia may stimulate beta-adrenergic receptors. Also, clinical research shows that hoodia can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Theoretically, using hoodia with beta-blockers might decrease the effects of these medications. Some beta-blocker drugs include atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal).

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Insulin

Animal research shows that a steroid glycoside of hoodia, gordonoside F, increases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by activating GPR119. Theoretically, concomitant use of hoodia with insulin may enhance the blood glucose-lowering effects of insulin. Blood glucose levels should be monitored.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Hoodia Extract 500 mg, from the product label.

BulkSupplements.com

See all BulkSupplements.com products
Name
BulkSupplements.com
Street Address
7511 Eastgate Rd
City
Henderson
State
NV
ZipCode
89011
Web Address
BulkSupplements.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Hoodia Extract 500 mg by BulkSupplements.com: Common Questions

Does Hoodia Extract 500 mg by BulkSupplements.com interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Hoodia Extract 500 mg has a known interaction with 262 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Hoodia Extract 500 mg 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.
Does hoodia actually help you lose weight?
The evidence isn't clear enough to say yes. The research we have isn't reliable enough to confirm hoodia works for obesity, so we can't promise it'll help you lose weight.
What side effects has hoodia caused?
Trials have reported headache, dizziness, nausea, giddiness, and unusual skin sensations — usually minor. There's also a concern it may raise blood pressure and heart rate, which is why it matters for folks on heart or blood pressure meds.
Is it safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No — there isn't enough safety information, so the data advises against it in both cases. If you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before considering this product.
What is hoodia and where does it come from?
Hoodia is a plant native to southern Africa that's traditionally been used as an appetite suppressant. This product is a concentrated extract of the leaf.
Why do I need to watch out for blood pressure and diabetes medications?
Hoodia may lower the effectiveness of blood pressure drugs and strengthen the blood sugar-lowering effect of diabetes medications, potentially causing blood sugar to drop too low. Your doctor needs to know you're taking it so they can adjust dosing or monitor you more closely.

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

Not sure if Hoodia Extract 500 mg 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.

Hoodia Extract 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Hoodia Extract 500 mg’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Hoodia Extract 500 mg'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 3 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.

Hoodia 3 references
  1. Blom WAM, Abrahamse SL, Bradford R, et al. Effects of 15-d repeated consumption of Hoodia gordonii purified extract on safety, ad libitum energy intake, and body weight in healthy, overweight women: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2011;94(5) PubMed
  2. Roza O, Lovász N, Zupkó I, Hohmann J, Csupor D. Sympathomimetic activity of a Hoodia gordonii product: a possible mechanism of cardiovascular side effects. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:171059.
  3. Zhang S, Ma Y, Li J, et al. Molecular matchmaking between the popular weight-loss herb Hoodia gordonii and GPR119, a potential drug target for metabolic disorder. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014;111(40):14571-6.

See these in context on the Hoodia 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

Keep exploring