Hydroxycut is a weight-loss aid that is designed to increase your metabolism and help control your appetite. Directions for Hydroxycut state that the product should be taken on an empty stomach -- before you eat -- and not with your meals. Both pills and drink packets should be taken with 8 ounces of water.
Always talk to your doctor before taking weight-loss supplements, especially those not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Drug interactions are possible.
Hydroxycut makes a few different products -- formulated for different metabolisms -- but all are weight-loss aids. Hydroxycut is designed to be used in combination with regular physical activity and a reduced-calorie diet. Without decreasing caloric intake and increasing calories burned through exercise, Hydroxycut may not help you reach your goal weight. Although the manufacturer of Hydroxycut, Iovate Health Sciences Inc., claims that Hydroxycut can help you increase weight loss by 700 percent, the National Institutes of Health warns that sustainable weight loss takes time and that you should be cautious of products that make "unrealistic promises."
Directions
Hydroxycut is meant to be taken on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes before you eat. The first few days you begin using Hydroxycut, it's suggested that you start with one capsule three times daily. Hydroxycut does contain stimulants -- ramping up slowly will allow your body to become accustomed to the product gradually and let you check for any adverse reaction. If you do not suffer from any side effects, you can double the dosage to two pills three times daily.
Potential Side Effects
Hydroxycut does incorporate stimulants into its formula, including caffeine and green tea extract, which can help speed your metabolism. Insomnia is a common side effect, and Iovate Health Sciences Inc. recommends that you do not take Hydroxycut within five hours of your regular bedtime. A caffeine-free version of the product is available. Other potential side effects include anxiety, nervousness, shakiness, heartburn, indigestion and increased urination. Hydroxycut could potentially interfere with diabetes medications, certain antibiotics -- including Cipro -- Tagamet and antidepressants.
Warnings
In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration placed a recall on 14 different Hydroxycut products. Certain products were found to cause serious liver complications; one death caused by liver failure was reported to the FDA. In 2010, Iovate Health Sciences Inc. reformulated Hydroxycut without the ingredient linked to liver problems. It should be noted that the FDA does not regulate Hydroxycut or approve the weight-loss and health claims made by Iovate Health Sciences Inc. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should not use Hydroxycut.
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