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

Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Hard Rhino

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

Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract is a dietary supplement by Hard Rhino 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 gordonii. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract by Hard Rhino

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 gordonii, a succulent plant from southern Africa supplied here as a 20:1 powdered extract — meaning the raw plant material was concentrated to make a more potent dose. The inactive ingredients listed are the extract itself.

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 to establish whether it actually works. While the plant has been used traditionally as an appetite suppressant, reliable clinical evidence supporting its effectiveness in weight loss or appetite control isn't established in our data.

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, and side effects have been reported. Orally, it may cause headache, dizziness, giddiness, nausea, and disturbances in skin sensation.

There's also concern that it can increase blood pressure and heart rate — which is especially important if you have hypertension or heart conditions. There isn't enough safety information to know whether it's safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding; the data advises against use in both situations.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning either.

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.

Before you take this product, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on blood pressure medications (antihypertensives) like captopril, enalapril, losartan, or valsartan — hoodia may reduce how well they work. The same goes for beta-blockers like atenolol or metoprolol, and for any diabetes medications or insulin.

Hoodia can raise blood pressure and blood sugar effects, which may interfere with all of these.

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 Gordonii may appeal to you if you're exploring traditional appetite-suppressant options, but the evidence that it actually works for weight loss isn't established. More importantly, the interactions with blood pressure, heart, diabetes, and insulin medications are significant — so if you take any of those, you need to check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

And because safety data are limited, this isn't a product to use lightly or without professional guidance.

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 Jun 25, 2014.

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 Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract, straight from the product label.

Brand Hard Rhino
Net contents 500 Gram(s); 1.1 lb
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 25, 2014
DSLD ID 34520
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, 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 Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract by Hard Rhino, 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:
2100 mg
Maximum serving Sizes:
2100 mg
Servings per container
238
IngredientAmount% DV
Hoodia gordonii2100 mg--

Other ingredients: Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract

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.
Formulation

- No added fillers - No flow agents - No driers - No other ingredients

Allergens: This product contains NO Soy, Milk & Byproducts, Eggs, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat, Gluten, Tree Nuts, or Sesame Seeds.

This is a NON-GMO ingredient produced with organic material.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: Take one level teaspoon twice daily.

Suggested Use: Suggested dosage is one level teaspoon twice daily, taken with water preferably one hour before meals.

Storage

Storage: Store in a cool and dry place. Keep away from strong light and heat.

Storage: Store in a cool & dry place. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat.

Precautions

Do not take this or any other supplement if you are pregnant or nursing.

WARNING: A scale is required for accurate measurements.

Keep away from children.

Do not take this or any other supplement if you are pregnant or nursing.

Do not take if you have high blood pressure or any medical complications.

WARNING: A micro scale is required for accurate measurements.

Do not take this or any other supplement if you are pregnant or nursing, have high blood pressure or taking other prescription drugs.

Do not take if you have high blood pressure or any medical complications.

General Statements

Always consult with a physician before taking any new dietary supplement.

Quality Healthcare Worldwide

Always consult with your physician before taking any new dietary supplements. Expiration date on back of pouch.

USP-FCC

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

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

FDA Statement of Identity

DIETARY SUPPLEMENT

See for yourself

Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract by Hard Rhino label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract by Hard Rhino

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

Serving size2100 mg Dosage formPowder Servings per container238 Amounts shown are per serving.

Hoodia gordonii

Interacts with
262 drugs
2100 mg per serving

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 gordonii monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract by Hard Rhino Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract?

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 Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract 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 gordonii4 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 Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract, from the product label.

Hard Rhino

See all Hard Rhino products
Name
GUARDIAN Biosciences
City
Phoenix
State
Arizona
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract by Hard Rhino: Common Questions

Does Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract by Hard Rhino interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract 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 Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract 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 with weight loss?
The evidence we have isn't strong enough to say for sure. Hoodia is traditionally used as an appetite suppressant, but reliable clinical evidence supporting its effectiveness isn't established in our data.
What side effects has hoodia caused?
People taking it orally have reported headache, dizziness, giddiness, nausea, and unusual skin sensations. There's also concern that it may raise blood pressure and heart rate.
Can I take hoodia if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety information to know either way. The data advises against use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning either.
What is a 20:1 extract?
It means the raw plant material was concentrated so that 20 parts of the original plant became 1 part of the extract — making it stronger and more potent than the whole plant powder.
Why is blood pressure a concern with hoodia?
Clinical research shows hoodia can raise blood pressure and heart rate. If you take medications to control blood pressure or heart rate, hoodia may interfere with how well they work.
Should I worry about my blood sugar if I take hoodia?
Yes, if you take diabetes medications or insulin. Animal research shows hoodia may boost insulin release, which could lower your blood sugar more than expected and increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

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

Not sure if Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract 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 Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract’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 Gordonii 20:1 Powdered Extract'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