Hoodia (Herb/Suppl)

Brand and Other Names:P57, xhoba

Suggested Dosing

250-750 mg PO BID-QID

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Suggested Uses

Appetite suppressant

Efficacy

Has been used traditionally by South African San Bushmen to suppress appetite

P57, a putative pharmacologically active steroidal glycoside, has been isolated & in clinical trials

In one study, large doses of P57 reduced daily caloric intake by 100 cal by Day 15 in a small number of healthy but overweight subjects

Many weight loss supplements assert they contain Hoodia, but actual amount or efficacy unverified

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Adverse Effects

None reported

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Warnings

Cautions

Causes thirst suppression in addition to appetite suppression

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Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Category: N/A

Lactation: N/A

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

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Pharmacology

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

Mechanism of Action

Extract of Hoodia gordonii, a South African succulent (not a cactus)

Putative active principle, a steroidal glycoside termed P57, appears to act at the hypothalamic level to shut off hunger signals

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Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.