Hoodia gordonii is a cactus-like succulent plant, native to the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa.¹ Due to over harvest and slow growth, Hoodia is now considered an endangered species. Hoodia grows in clumps of upright stems with tan flowers and thorns, and a strong, unpleasant odor.

Hoodia has received publicity in recent times for its natural appetite suppressant properties.

What is the most important information I should know about Hoodia?

Patients should not take Hoodia without first talking to their doctor if they

• have diabetes or are taking a medicine to control blood sugar levels,
• have any heart problems or take any heart medicines,
• have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder or are taking a medicine to increase or decrease the clotting of their blood such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), or heparin,
• have anorexia, bulimia or any other eating disorder.

Patients may not be able to take Hoodia, or may require special monitoring during treatment if they have any of the conditions or are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Hoodia has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/ or advantages of Hoodia may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/ health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/ health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Hoodia is available for purchase in retail stores and online; however, clinical trials have not proven Hoodia effectiveness or safety. Actual amounts of hoodia in advertised products cannot always be confirmed, and products may be counterfeit or contaminated. Because many of these products are promoted for weight loss, but have not been clinically evaluated, the manufacturers are in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

In October, 2011 the FDA notified consumers that the “P57 Hoodia” product marketed by Huikng Pharmaceutical was found to contain sibutramine, a controlled substance that was removed from the U.S. market in October 2010 for safety reasons. Sibutramine may substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, or stroke. This product may also interact in life threatening ways with other medications a consumer may be taking.²

The use of Hoodia in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/ health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

Take Hoodia only as directed by a doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Store Hoodia as directed on the package.

Patients should not take Hoodia without first talking to their doctor if they have

• diabetes,
• heart disease or high blood pressure,
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder,
• anorexia, bulimia or any other eating disorder.

Patients should talk to their doctor before taking Hoodia if they have any other medical conditions, allergies (especially to plants), or if they take other medicines or herbal/ health supplements.

Patients should not take Hoodia without first talking to their doctor if they are pregnant or could become pregnant.

Patients should not take Hoodia without first talking to their doctor if they are breast-feeding.

There is no information available regarding the use of Hoodia by children. Do not give any herbal/ health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.

No information is available regarding a missed dose of Hoodia. Consult with a doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider if additional information is required.

Seek emergency medical attention.

There are no known restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking Hoodia, unless otherwise directed by a health care provider.