The Basics

What is Garcinia / Garcinia cambogia?

A popular weight-loss supplement.

Brand names for Garcinia / Garcinia cambogia

Na

How Garcinia / Garcinia cambogia is classified

Complementary Therapies, Phytotherapy, Plants, Medicinal

Garcinia / Garcinia cambogia During Pregnancy

Garcinia / Garcinia cambogia pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Garcinia / Garcinia cambogia while pregnant

N/A

Taking Garcinia / Garcinia cambogia While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Garcinia / Garcinia cambogia?

Garcinia (Garcinia cambogia) fruit rind contains hydroxycitric acid. Garcinia has no specific lactation-related uses. It is most often used to promote weight loss. No data exist on the excretion of any components of Garcinia into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of Garcinia in nursing mothers or infants. Garcinia and hydroxycitric acid are generally well tolerated in adults, with occasional gastrointestinal discomfort reported.[1] Because there is no published experience with Garcinia or hydroxycitric acid during breastfeeding, these products should be avoided, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Garcinia (Garcinia cambogia) fruit rind contains hydroxycitric acid. Garcinia has no specific lactation-related uses. It is most often used to promote weight loss. No data exist on the excretion of any components of Garcinia into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of Garcinia in nursing mothers or infants. Garcinia and hydroxycitric acid are generally well tolerated in adults, with occasional gastrointestinal discomfort reported.[1] Because there is no published experience with Garcinia or hydroxycitric acid during breastfeeding, these products should be avoided, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Possible effects of Garcinia / Garcinia cambogia on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Garcinia / Garcinia cambogia

None listed

List of References

Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Soni MG, Burdock GA, Preuss HG et al. Safety assessment of (-)-hydroxycitric acid and Super CitriMax, a novel calcium/potassium salt. Food Chem Toxicol. 2004;42:1513-29. PMID: 15234082

Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.

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