What is the recommended dose of Garcinia Cambogia?

- **Typical study dose:** 1,500-3,000mg/day HCA (standardized to 50-60% hydroxycitric acid) - **Timing:** 30-60 min before meals - Even at optimal dosing, clinical benefit is marginal

Does Garcinia Cambogia interact with any medications?

Garcinia Cambogia lists 3 reported drug interactions whose sources are not yet verified, including interactions with Statins, Diabetes medications, SSRIs. Check with your doctor before combining with prescription medications.

Ingredient Research

Graded against 178,763 supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Garcinia Cambogia

SupplementLast updated April 2026

AVELOR SUMMARY

Garcinia cambogia (HCA) was one of the most hyped weight loss supplements of the 2010s. Our research shows the reality is disappointing: a large meta-analysis found statistically significant but clinically irrelevant weight loss (~0.88 kg more than placebo over 12 weeks). Multiple case reports of hepatotoxicity have been documented. This is a supplement where the marketing dramatically outpaced the evidence.

EVIDENCE GRADES

Weight lossMeta-analysis shows minimal effect (PMID: 21197150)

Limited evidenceGrade C

Appetite suppression

Limited evidenceGrade C

Lipid profileModest triglyceride reduction in some studies

Limited evidenceGrade C

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

Typical study dose: 1,500-3,000mg/day HCA (standardized to 50-60% hydroxycitric acid)
Timing: 30-60 min before meals
Even at optimal dosing, clinical benefit is marginal

Scan a supplement containing Garcinia Cambogia

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Statins

Garcinia inhibits same fat synthesis pathways; additive effects on liver metabolism

Diabetes medications

HCA may lower blood sugar; additive hypoglycemia

SSRIs

HCA increases serotonin availability; theoretical serotonin syndrome risk

SAFETY PROFILE

⚠️ Hepatotoxicity Reports

Multiple case reports and FDA warnings document liver injury associated with garcinia-containing products. Mechanism unclear, may be HCA itself or contaminants in multi-ingredient products. The FDA issued a safety warning in 2009 after Hydroxycut (containing garcinia) was linked to liver failure cases.

Pregnancy & Lactation

NOT recommended, insufficient safety data plus hepatotoxicity concern.

WADA Status

Not Prohibited

HOW AVELOR SCORES THIS

Auto-flag: "Clinical weight loss benefit is approximately 0.88 kg over 12 weeks, marginally more than placebo"

Liver safety warning on all garcinia products

SSRI users: serotonin interaction flag

Products in multi-ingredient "fat burner" blends: additional caution (contamination risk)

Score penalty for marketing claims that dramatically exceed evidence

CLINICAL REFERENCES

Reference identifiers on this page are being re-verified against PubMed. Some may not yet link to the paper named beside them.

, Onakpoya I et al. The use of Garcinia extract as a weight loss supplement: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PMID: 21197150

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Independently graded against 178,763 indexed supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated: April 2026

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

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Ingredient Research

Graded against 178,763 supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Garcinia Cambogia

SupplementLast updated April 2026

AVELOR SUMMARY

EVIDENCE GRADES

Weight lossMeta-analysis shows minimal effect (PMID: 21197150)

Limited evidenceGrade C

Appetite suppression

Limited evidenceGrade C

Lipid profileModest triglyceride reduction in some studies

Limited evidenceGrade C

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

Typical study dose: 1,500-3,000mg/day HCA (standardized to 50-60% hydroxycitric acid)
Timing: 30-60 min before meals
Even at optimal dosing, clinical benefit is marginal

Scan a supplement containing Garcinia Cambogia

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Statins

Garcinia inhibits same fat synthesis pathways; additive effects on liver metabolism

Diabetes medications

HCA may lower blood sugar; additive hypoglycemia

SSRIs

HCA increases serotonin availability; theoretical serotonin syndrome risk

SAFETY PROFILE

⚠️ Hepatotoxicity Reports

Pregnancy & Lactation

NOT recommended, insufficient safety data plus hepatotoxicity concern.

WADA Status

Not Prohibited

HOW AVELOR SCORES THIS

Auto-flag: "Clinical weight loss benefit is approximately 0.88 kg over 12 weeks, marginally more than placebo"

Liver safety warning on all garcinia products

SSRI users: serotonin interaction flag

Products in multi-ingredient "fat burner" blends: additional caution (contamination risk)

Score penalty for marketing claims that dramatically exceed evidence

CLINICAL REFERENCES

Reference identifiers on this page are being re-verified against PubMed. Some may not yet link to the paper named beside them.

, Onakpoya I et al. The use of Garcinia extract as a weight loss supplement: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PMID: 21197150

RELATED RESEARCH

Acacia Fiber

AcarboseANIMAL ONLY. In the NIA Interventions Testing Program, a parallel three-site study in genetically he

Activated Charcoal

Agave Inulin

Scan Your Garcinia Cambogia Supplement Browse all ingredients

Independently graded against 178,763 indexed supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated: April 2026

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

Discover More

Explore

Browse All 772 Ingredients Browse All 20 Conditions