An ingredient used in weight loss supplements has been and has contributed to one Australian patient requiring a liver transplant. or signup to continue reading Rind of the tropical fruit Garcinia gummi-gutta used in medicines and herbal supplements, became popular amid claims it could speed up weight loss, reduce appetite and boost exercise endurance. But Garcinia gummi-gutta and the chemical compound hydroxycitric acid (HCA), found in the skin of the fruit, had been linked to liver injury in rare cases, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said on August 8.
"We have become aware of an increasing number of cases of liver injury reported in scientific literature, by consumers who had taken products containing Garcinia gummi-gutta/HCA," the TGA said. "Older literature reports mostly involved additional ingredients that may have contributed to the liver injury, but recently more cases have been published with Garcinia gummi-gutta (Garcinia cambogia)/HCA as the only suspected ingredient in the liver injury. "Many of these cases were severe and required hospitalisation.
Of particular concern, five cases resulted in liver transplantation, one of which was an Australian case. "We are also aware of several cases of liver injury reported to regulators in other countries." Supplements and medicines containing the ingredients are available in supermarkets, health food shops and pharmacies without a prescription.
The TGA said consumers "should immediately stop taking medicines or herbal supplements" if they experience yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, unusual tiredness, weakness, stomach or abdominal pain or loss of appetite. Consumers were urged to seek medical advice if they experience any of these symptoms, TGA said. The risk also related to other ingredients that contained HCA including Garcinia quaesita, hydroxycitrate complex, calcium hydroxycitrate, sodium hydroxycitrate, or potassium hydroxycitrate.
"We will continue to monitor this issue and are currently considering further regulatory action," the TGA said. Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine.
Reach out with news or updates to [email protected].
au Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.
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