Does Garcinia interact with Prozac? (3+precautions)
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
In this article, we will discuss whether Garcinia interacts with Prozac, how this interaction happens, what are the risks and side effects of their combination, and how to manage them.
Does Garcinia interact with Prozac?
Yes, Garcinia cambogia interacts with Prozac (fluoxetine). Garcinia cambogia aids in the promotion of weight loss by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain which improves feelings of satiety. SSRIs, like Prozac, help in relieving feelings of sadness, anxiety, and stress by having the same effect on serotonin (1).
Garcinia is a tropical fruit native to India and Southeast Asia. The rind of the fruit contains a chemical called hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which has been studied for its potential effects on weight loss (2).
Prozac, also known as fluoxetine, is a type of medication used to treat depression and depressive symptoms. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) (3).
How does Garcinia interact with Prozac?
Both Garcinia cambogia and Prozac affect serotonin levels in the brain. Garcinia cambogia promotes weight loss by increasing serotonin levels, which enhances feelings of satiety. On the other hand, Prozac works by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain, making more serotonin available (4).
When Garcinia cambogia is taken with Prozac, it may result in too much serotonin in the brain. This can cause severe side effects associated with a condition known as serotonin syndrome (5).
Therefore, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking Garcinia cambogia if you’re also taking Prozac or any other medication that affects serotonin levels in the brain.
What are the risks of combining Garcinia and Prozac?
Combining Garcinia cambogia and Prozac (fluoxetine) can lead to an interaction that affects serotonin levels in the brain. Both Garcinia cambogia and Prozac affect serotonin levels, which can lead to a condition known as serotonin syndrome if levels become too high.
Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur when there is too much serotonin, a chemical your neurons produce, in your brain (6).
Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can range from mild to severe and include agitation or restlessness, confusion, rapid heart rate and high blood pressure, dilated pupils, loss of muscle coordination or twitching muscles, heavy sweating, diarrhea, headache, shivering, and goosebumps.
What are the guidelines for the consumption of Garcinia with Prozac?
Here are some precautions and guidelines for safe consumption of Garcinia cambogia with Prozac (fluoxetine):
Consult Your Healthcare Provider: Before starting any new supplement regimen, especially when you’re already taking medication like Prozac, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider.
- Monitor for Side Effects: Both Garcinia cambogia and Prozac can have side effects. If you’re taking them together, be sure to monitor for any new or worsening symptoms.
- Start with a Low Dose: If your healthcare provider approves the use of Garcinia cambogia, it might be best to start with a low dose to see how your body reacts.
- Avoid Use in Certain Conditions: People with certain conditions, such as bipolar disorder or liver disease, should avoid using Garcinia cambogia.
- Be Aware of Potential Interactions: Garcinia cambogia can interact with certain medications, including Prozac. This can lead to a condition known as serotonin syndrome, which can be serious.
Remember, just because a product is natural doesn’t mean it’s safe for everyone to use. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.
Final words
While Garcinia has potential health benefits, it’s important to consider the potential risks of combining it with Prozac. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking Garcinia cambogia if you’re also taking Prozac or any other medication that affects serotonin levels in the brain.
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References
1.-
Lopez AM, Kornegay J, Hendrickson RG. Serotonin toxicity associated with Garcinia cambogia over-the-counter supplement. J Med Toxicol. 2014 Dec;10(4):399-401. doi: 10.1007/s13181-014-0390-7. PMID: 24699886; PMCID: PMC4252288. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4252288/
2.-
Sripradha R, Magadi SG. Efficacy of garcinia cambogia on body weight, inflammation and glucose tolerance in high fat fed male wistar rats. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015 Feb;9(2):BF01-4. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2015/12045.5577. Epub 2015 Feb 1. PMID: 25859449; PMCID: PMC4378731. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378731/
3.-
Chu A, Wadhwa R. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. [Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554406/
4.-
Semwal RB, Semwal DK, Vermaak I, Viljoen A. A comprehensive scientific overview of Garcinia cambogia. Fitoterapia. 2015 Apr;102:134-48. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2015.02.012. Epub 2015 Feb 27. PMID: 25732350. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25732350/
5.-
Foong AL, Grindrod KA, Patel T, Kellar J. Demystifying serotonin syndrome (or serotonin toxicity). Can Fam Physician. 2018 Oct;64(10):720-727. PMID: 30315014; PMCID: PMC6184959. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6184959/
6.-
Simon LV, Keenaghan M. Serotonin Syndrome. [Updated 2023 Jul 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482377/
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