⚠ Restricted by at least one regulator (TGA) — see Regulatory alerts by country below.
⚠ HIGH RISK — see overview [1]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable — this is not obtained from food in meaningful amounts; supplementation is the practical route.
🔬 Lab interpreter
ℹ️ No validated blood test. There is no established laboratory test to assess status or guide dosing for this ingredient. Clinical response and symptoms are the practical guide.
⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
Garcinia/HCA is another Dr. Oz-promoted weight-loss supplement with marginal evidence: meta-analysis shows only 0.88 kg more than placebo over 12 weeks — clinically meaningless. The REAL concern: hepatotoxicity. Multiple liver failure cases (some requiring transplant) associated with Garcinia-containing products (Hydroxycut® FDA warning). The risk-benefit is terrible: negligible weight loss + liver failure risk. Mechanism (ATP citrate lyase inhibition) is real biochemistry but doesn't translate to meaningful fat loss [1].
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
AVOID — hepatotoxicity concern + insufficient data [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
Not recommended [1].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose
How to take
🍽 Timing: See overview [1].
💊 With food: See overview [1].
🚫 Avoid: See overview for contraindications [1].
2 Which form?
| Form | Bioavailability | Vegan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ['Various', 'see overview', 'See overview for forms and risks [1].'] | Standard | Check label |
3 Common questions
Key safety point ▼
Garcinia/HCA is another Dr. Oz-promoted weight-loss supplement with marginal evidence: meta-analysis shows only 0.88 kg more than placebo over 12 weeks — clinically meaningless. The REAL concern: hepatotoxicity. Multiple liver failure cases (some requiring transplant) associated with Garcinia-containing products (Hydroxycut® FDA warning). The risk-benefit is terrible: negligible weight loss + liver failure risk. Mechanism (ATP citrate lyase inhibition) is real biochemistry but doesn't translate to meaningful fat loss [1].
4 Clinical evidence
Strong
See overview [1]. HIGH
Moderate
See overview [1]. MODERATE
Insufficient
See overview [1]. LOW
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events
Absolute contraindications
✕ Active liver disease — documented reports of serious hepatotoxicity
Relative
⚠ Concurrent statins or hepatotoxic drugs
⚠ Serotonergic drugs (SSRIs) — theoretical serotonin effect
⚠ Diabetes — additive glucose lowering
⚠ Pregnancy and lactation — avoid
🚩 Red flags
● HIGH RISK — see overview for critical safety alerts [1]
6 Interactions
Drug interactions
Statins / Hepatotoxic drugs Major
Mechanism: Additive liver risk [1].
7 Regulatory alerts by country
4 regulatory actions on record — 3 with a verified source link, 1 with the official reference being verified.
Restricted · 1
🇦🇺
TGA — Mandatory liver warning (March 2025).
TGA complementary-medicines requirements / mandatory label warnings and permitted-ingredient determinations.
Source ↗ · 2024-01-01
Warning · 3
🇫🇷
ANSES — Advises against consumption by the whole population (38 nutrivigilance reports incl. hepatic, cardiovascular, psychiatric effects). Not banned in food supplements.
ANSES avis Saisine n° 2020-SA-0047 (Garcinia cambogia): nutrivigilance analysis of adverse effects; ANSES déconseille la consommation. (ANSM banned Garcinia in medicines since 2012.)
Source ↗ · 2025-02-12
🇺🇸
FDA — Safety alerts. Products recalled.
FDA Dietary Supplement Ingredient Directory / FDA dietary-supplement ingredient advisories — substance subject to FDA safety action or not a lawful dietary ingredient.
Source ↗ · 2023-03-06
🇯🇵
MHLW — Hepatotoxicity under surveillance.
Japan MHLW classification — pharmaceutical/restricted status or mandatory safety labelling for this substance.
2024-01-01 · official reference being verified
8 References (2)
[1]Onakpoya I, et al. The use of Garcinia extract (hydroxycitric acid) as a weight loss supplement: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Obes. 2011;2011:509038. doi:10.1155/2011/509038 META-ANALYSIS Accessed: 2026-05-29
[2]FDA. Warning on Hydroxycut products. FDA Safety Communication. 2009. GOVERNMENT Accessed: 2026-05-29
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10 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. Garcinia Cambogia — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Jun 02]. Available from: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Garcinia Cambogia — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Institution: Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG)
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: December 2026
References: 2 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "Garcinia Cambogia — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG