Hoodia is a drug derived from special cactus like plant species, and is used for the treatment of obesity and overweight patients. These cacti like plants grow in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola. Hoodia gordonii grows in clumps of green upright stems. Although it is often called a cactus because it resembles one, hoodia is actually a succulent plant. It takes about five years before hoodia gordonii's pale purple flowers appear and the plant can be harvested. There are over 13 types of hoodia. The only active ingredient identified so far is a steroidal glycoside that has been called "p57". Currently, only hoodia gordonii is thought to contain p57.

How does Hoodia works?

The active ingredient in Hoodia is considered to be p57. This p57 basically is the appetite suppressant. It was in 1937 when it was first noticed by a Dutch anthropologist studying the primitive San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert. He observed that eating this cucumbrish plant, he could stay longer in the field without being hungry. Actally P57 acts on the brain in a manner similar to glucose. It tricks the brain into thinking you are full even when you have not eaten, reduces interest in food and delays the time before hunger sets in.

Precautions:

There is very little data available about the effects of Hoodia. It is not yet been approved by FDA. No tests for safety, effectiveness and purity of Hoodia are been performed by FDA. There are always chances of herbal medicines to have toxic effects. So care should be taken.
Its mode of action is relevant to glucose release, hence patients with Diabetes and patients who are using blood sugar level control medicines, should have to be monitored.
Patients who have any heart problems or take any heart medicines,
Patient who have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder or are taking a medicine to increase or decrease the clotting of your blood such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), or heparin.
Patients having anorexia, bulimia or any other eating disorder.

Contraindications:

Diabetes.
Heart disease.
High blood pressure.
A bleeding or blood clotting disorder.
Anorexia, bulimia or any other eating disorder.
Any other medical conditions, allergies (especially to plants).
If taking other medicines or herbal/ health supplements.
Pregnant or could become pregnant.
Breast-feeding mothers.
There is no information available regarding the use of hoodia by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.

Side Effects:

Hoodia is relatively under observed and less studied plant. Though the relatively high demand of Hoodia, it is very unlikely for the dietitians and researchers to not to do researches on it. So far, there are no side effects that are been reported by the Hoodia medications. But on the other hand there are various side effects are been reported by eating Hoodia plant. Therefore, it is very important that the medication being used is pure and does not have any poisonous effects of the plant.

Side effects can be expected especially in people who have any sort of allergic reactions to plants. Even other people can also have side effects, so keeping a keen eye is a must. Report to the doctor is required even with the mild changes in the physical routines, eating habits, psychological disturbances, disturbed heart rates and any unusual gastric problems.

Drug Interactions:

Like all other fields of pharmacology, there is an equal lack of knowledge about Hoodia's drug interactions. Though, the company acclaims, to have no drug interactions with any drug. And usually the pure herbal supplements do not have such interactions, but still until and unless FDA approves this to be completely safe, it should not be taken on one's own choice, but should be used at the doctor's advice.

Though Hoodia has been used by the local people for centuries, but its use as a medication to treat obesity is still questionable. FDA is still in progress of doing the right researches that are required to prove it as a safe and healthy drug, that can be used for the treatment of overweight and obese people, but till they shortlist the side effects and drug interactions; it should be avoided.