Medical Side Effects of Hydroxycut

What Is Hydroxycut

Hydroxycut is a thermogenic weight loss supplement that promises to raise the body’s metabolism, resulting in faster fat burning and weight loss. According to the maker of the product, Muscle Tech, Hydroxycut, in conjunction with diet and exercise, will help users lose weight four times faster than diet and exercise alone.

Since any side effects would occur due to one or more ingredients, it's important to know the components of the supplement. Hydroxycut contains green tea extract and oolong tea, both of which have been shown to aid in weight loss. In addition, the pills contain:

• Caffeine, a stimulant
• Calcium
• Potassium, an element and electrolyte
• Chromium, a mineral
• Garcinia cambogia extract, a citrus fruit
• Rhodiola rosea extract, also known as Golden Root
• Gymnema sylvestre extract, an herb
• Soy phospholipids
• White tea extract

If you are allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients, you should not take Hydroxycut.

Possible Medical Side Effects of Hydroxycut

It's important to note that Hydroxycut used to contain ephedra. Once upon a time, some users of Hydroxycut reported serious heart-related side effects. Since the FDA banned the use of ephedra and the makers of Hydroxycut have changed their formula to one that does not contain ephedra, the most serious of the side effects have been eliminated. Still, some side effects are possible with any medicine, herb, or supplement, and Hydroxycut is no different.

Restlessness

Many users on weight loss forums and message boards report feeling restless while taking Hydroxycut. While extra energy in the daytime hours is a positive and may help you burn more calories, restlessness at night can be a real problem. This restlessness and difficulty sleeping is likely due to the caffeine content of the drug, a problem that is exaggerated if you consume other forms of caffeine while taking it. To avoid insomnia and nighttime wakefulness, do not take Hydroxycut in the hours before bedtime. You should also cut down on other forms of caffeine.

Nervousness

Users also report feeling anxious, nervous, and fidgety, still more problems that can be blamed on caffeine. To minimize the risk of this side effect, start at the smallest recommended dose and work your way up as needed. Starting at a higher dose could give your body more caffeine that in can comfortably handle.

Cardiac Symptoms

Heart palpitations and skipping beats are some of the most bothersome and worrisome medical side effects of Hydroxycut. Since ephedra has been removed, these side effects are usually a result of increased caffeine. Caffeine is, after all, a stimulant. Still, you should consult with your doctor if you experience heart-related side effects such as:

• Rapid heart beat
• Increased blood pressure
• Lower blood pressure
• Skipping beats

Headache

Headaches are a common side effect of Hydroxycut and they’re most common the first few days on the supplement. Some people experience slightly elevated blood pressure while taking Hydroxycut, and that can cause headaches. If your headaches do not go away after a few days, check with a doctor or stop taking the supplement.

Other Side Effects

While the above are the most common reported side effects, there are others:

• Acne on face and chest
• Difficulty achieving and/or maintaining an erection
• Vaginal yeast infections
• Blurred vision
• Nose bleeds
• Dizziness

Avoiding the Side Effects

To minimize the risk of caffeine-related side effects, cut down on your caffeine consumption while you're taking Hydroxycut. To do this, switch to decaffeinated coffee or tea and choose diet soda over regular, or eschew the coffee, tea, and soda altogether. Another option is to take the caffeine-free version of the supplement. While you will lose some of the stimulant benefits, you’ll also reduce the possibility of nervousness, anxiety, shakiness, rapid heartbeat, and insomnia.