Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 6 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Premium CLA Complex Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by GNC Total Lean

Softgel Capsule Category: Fat/fatty Acid
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Premium CLA Complex is a dietary supplement by GNC Total Lean with 6 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for heart health, healthy cooking fat, skin moisturizing.Based on those ingredients, 86 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Oleic Acid. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Premium CLA Complex by GNC Total Lean

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 6 of its 6 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Premium CLA Complex contains six active ingredients: conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (two omega-3 fatty acids), medium chain triglycerides (a type of fat), gamma-linolenic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid), and oleic acid (a monounsaturated fat). Together they're marketed to support body composition and metabolic health.

The softgel also contains inactive ingredients — gelatin as the capsule, glycerin, rosemary extract, and mixed tocopherols (vitamin E compounds).

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
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

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded Oleic Acid's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Oleic Acid for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Coronary heart disease (CHD) — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Hypercholesterolemia — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

Oleic acid — one of the six actives — is rated possibly effective for lowering high cholesterol and supporting heart health based on the data we hold. The effectiveness of the other five ingredients in this formula is not established in our records.

That said, CLA, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and medium chain triglycerides are studied ingredients; whether this particular combination works for body composition or metabolic goals isn't something we can answer from the product facts alone.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Oleic Acid

How safe is it?

Some data gaps
Safety Information · database check
Some gaps

Safety data exists for these ingredients, but with some important gaps.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 0 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.

Oleic acid is generally recognized as safe when eaten in normal food amounts — olive oil and other common sources pose no concern. However, concentrated supplement doses of oleic acid haven't been well studied.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, food-level amounts are considered safe, but we don't have good safety data for supplement-level doses, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing. We have no adverse effects on file for any of the six ingredients.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Oleic Acid

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 — Oleic Acid.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 86 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 taking this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take antidiabetes drugs — oleic acid may strengthen their effect on your blood sugar. We have no interaction data on file for the other five active ingredients, so list all your medications when you talk it over with your provider.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and some safety-information gaps remain.

GNC Total Lean Premium CLA Complex is a blend of fatty acids aimed at body composition. If you take diabetes medication, you'll want to check this with your doctor or pharmacist first because oleic acid may lower blood sugar further.

Anyone pregnant, breastfeeding, or on other medications should review the full interaction data below with their own healthcare provider before starting.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 6 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Nov 25, 2013.

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 Premium CLA Complex, straight from the product label.

Brand GNC Total Lean
Barcode (UPC) 048107118563
Net contents 120 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 25, 2013
DSLD ID 27243
Product type Fat/fatty Acid
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar 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 Premium CLA Complex by GNC Total Lean, 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:
2 Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Softgel(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
048107118563
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories30 {Calories}--
Calories from Fat30 {Calories}--
Total Fat3 Gram(s)5%
Conjugated Linoleic Acid1.7 Gram(s)--
Docosahexaenoic Acid58 mg--
Medium Chain Triglycerides50 mg--
Eicosapentaenoic Acid92 mg--
Gamma-Linolenic Acid150 mg--
Oleic Acid100 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Rosemary extract, Mixed Tocopherols

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.
Precautions

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

WARNING: For adult use only.

Do not use this product if you are pregnant or lactating. If you are taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a physician before using this product.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

General Statements

Conforms to USP <2091> for weight. Meets USP <2040> disintegration.

ACTUAL SIZE

NEW

- Our most advanced CLA formula to fuel fat metabolism featuring Omega 3, 6, & 9 and GLA - Stimulant-free blend designed to improve body composition and support lean muscle tone - Scientifically formulated to help you look and feel your best by supporting smooth, healthy-looking skin

CLINICALLY RESEARCH

Lot No./Best By:

OPEN HERE

Seals/Symbols

Clarinol(R)

Brand IP Statement(s)

Clarinol(R) is a registered trademark of Stepan Lipid Nutrition.

FDA Statement of Identity

DIETARY SUPPLEMENT

General

CODE 488212 ING

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take two softgels twice daily with meals. To ensure optimal results, take four softgels daily.

Formulation

No Sugar, No Starch, No Artificial Colors, No Artificial Flavors, No Preservatives, Sodium Free, No Wheat, No Gluten, No Corn, No Soy, No Dairy, Yeast Free.

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

Premium CLA Complex by GNC Total Lean label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Premium CLA Complex by GNC Total Lean

These are the 6 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid

1.7 Gram(s) per serving Form: Safflower Oil

Docosahexaenoic Acid

58 mg per serving Form: Fish Oil

Medium Chain Triglycerides

50 mg per serving Form: Coconut Oil

Eicosapentaenoic Acid

92 mg per serving Form: Fish Oil

Gamma-Linolenic Acid

150 mg per serving Form: Safflower Oil

Oleic Acid

Interacts with
86 drugs
100 mg per serving Form: Safflower Oil

Oleic acid is a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat found mainly in olive oil, canola oil, avocados, and nuts. As part of a Mediterranean-style diet, it...

Oleic Acid monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Rosemary extract, Mixed Tocopherols. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Premium CLA Complex by GNC Total Lean Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Premium CLA Complex?

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
86Drugs
86 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Premium CLA Complex 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.

Oleic Acid1 drug type · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, oleic acid might increase the effects of antidiabetes drugs. Preliminary clinical research in patients with type 2 diabetes taking oral hypoglycemic drugs shows that eating a diet rich in oleic acid from olive oil decreases fasting blood glucose levels when compared to eating a diet rich in linoleic acid from sunflower oil. It is unknown if taking oleic acid supplements would have this effect or if this change is clinically significant. Until more is known, use caution. Dose adjustment may be necessary. Some antidiabetes drugs include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Premium CLA Complex, from the product label.

GNC Total Lean

See all GNC Total Lean products
Phone Number
1-888-462-2548
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Premium CLA Complex by GNC Total Lean: Common Questions

Does Premium CLA Complex by GNC Total Lean interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Premium CLA Complex has a known interaction with 86 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Premium CLA Complex contains 6 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is 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.
What is CLA, and what's it supposed to do?
CLA stands for conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid in this formula. It's included for body composition support, but we don't have effectiveness data on file for it in our records. Your doctor or a sports nutritionist can tell you more about the research behind it.
Will this lower my blood sugar if I'm on diabetes medication?
Possibly. Oleic acid in this product may increase the effects of antidiabetes drugs based on preliminary research. If you're on any diabetes medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — they can help you decide if it's safe and whether your doses need watching.
Is this safe if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Food amounts of oleic acid are fine, but we don't have good safety data for supplement-level doses in pregnancy or while nursing. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding — they know your health picture and can advise you personally.
What are the omega-3 fatty acids in here for?
Docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid are omega-3 fatty acids included in the formula for their potential metabolic and cardiovascular roles. We don't have interaction data on file for either one, and effectiveness data isn't in our records for this product.
Does this have fillers or just active ingredients?
It has four inactive ingredients: gelatin (the capsule), glycerin, rosemary extract, and mixed tocopherols. These are standard excipients that help make the softgel work — not fillers in the sense of cheap bulk, but necessary inactive materials.

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

Not sure if Premium CLA Complex 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.

Premium CLA Complex label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Premium CLA Complex’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Premium CLA Complex'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 19 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.

Oleic Acid 19 references
  1. Madigan C, Ryan M, Owens D, et al. Dietary unsaturated fatty acids in type 2 diabetes: higher levels of postprandial lipoprotein on a linoleic acid-rich sunflower oil diet compared with an oleic acid-rich olive oil diet. Diabetes Care 2000;23:1472-7. PubMed
  2. Gillingham, L. G., Gustafson, J. A., Han, S. Y., Jassal, D. S., and Jones, P. J. High-oleic rapeseed (canola) and flaxseed oils modulate serum lipids and inflammatory biomarkers in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. Br J Nutr 2011;105(3):417-427. PubMed
  3. Jones PJ, Senanayake VK, Pu S, Jenkins DJ, Connelly PW, Lamarche B, Couture P, Charest A, Baril-Gravel L, West SG, Liu X, Fleming JA, McCrea CE, Kris-Etherton PM. DHA-enriched high-oleic acid canola oil improves lipid profile and lowers predicted cardiova
  4. Cater, N. B., Heller, H. J., and Denke, M. A. Comparison of the effects of medium-chain triacylglycerols, palm oil, and high oleic acid sunflower oil on plasma triacylglycerol fatty acids and lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in humans. Am.J Clin.Nutr PubMed
  5. Mozaffarian D, Clarke R. Quantitative effects on cardiovascular risk factors and coronary heart disease risk of replacing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils with other fats and oils. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2009;63(Suppl 2):S22-33. PubMed
  6. Cao Y, Hou L, Wang W. Dietary total fat and fatty acids intake, serum fatty acids and risk of breast cancer: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Int J Cancer. 2016;138(8):1894-904. doi: 10.1002/ijc.29938. PubMed
  7. FDA completes review of qualified health claim petition for oleic acid and the risk of coronary heart disease. November 2018. Available at: www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm624758.htm. Accessed January 25, 2019.
  8. Liu X, Kris-Etherton PM, West SG, et al. Effects of canola and high-oleic-acid canola oils on abdominal fat mass in individuals with central obesity. Obesity. 2016;24(11):2261-2268. PubMed
  9. Bowen KJ, Kris-Etherton PM, West SG, et al. Diets enriched with conventional or high-oleic acid canola oils lower atherogenic lipids and lipoproteins compared to a diet with a western fatty acid profile in adults with central adiposity. J Nutr. 2019;149(3 PubMed
  10. Steffen BT, Duprez D, Szklo M, Guan W, Tsai MY. Circulating oleic acid levels are related to greater risks of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. J Clin Lipidol. 2018;12(6):1404-1412. PubMed
  11. Banim PJ, Luben R, Khaw KT, Hart AR. Dietary oleic acid is inversely associated with pancreatic cancer - Data from food diaries in a cohort study. Pancreatology. 2018;18(6):655-660. PubMed
  12. Morin SJ, Gaziano JM, Djoussé L. Relation between plasma phospholipid oleic acid and risk of heart failure. Eur J Nutr. 2018;57(8):2937-2942. PubMed
  13. Samieri C, Féart C, Proust-Lima C, et al. Olive oil consumption, plasma oleic acid, and stroke incidence: the Three-City Study. Neurology. 2011;77(5):418-25. PubMed
  14. Compher CW, Kinosian BP, Rubesin SE, Ratcliffe SJ, Metz DC. Energy absorption is reduced with oleic acid supplements in human short bowel syndrome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2009;33(1):102-8. PubMed
  15. Ben Fradj MK, Ouanes Y, Hadj-Taieb S, et al. Decreased oleic acid and marine n?-?3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in Tunisian patients with urothelial bladder cancer. Nutr Cancer. 2018;70(7):1043-1050.
  16. de Silva PS, Luben R, Shrestha SS, Khaw KT, Hart AR. Dietary arachidonic and oleic acid intake in ulcerative colitis etiology: a prospective cohort study using 7-day food diaries. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014;26(1):11-8. PubMed
  17. Higashi K, Shige H, Ito T, et al. Effect of a low-fat diet enriched with oleic acid on postprandial lipemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lipids. 2001;36(1):1-6. PubMed
  18. Lin HC, van Citters GW, Heimer F, Bonorris G. Slowing of gastrointestinal transit by oleic acid: a preliminary report of a novel, nutrient-based treatment in humans. Dig Dis Sci. 2001;46(2):223-9. PubMed
  19. Li D, Tong Y, Li Y. Associations between dietary oleic acid and linoleic acid and depressive symptoms in perimenopausal women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Nutrition. 2020 Mar;71:110602. PubMed

See these in context on the Oleic Acid 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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