What is it?
Hydroxycut is a weight loss brand that’s available in different forms, with common ingredients such as green coffee bean. They often use this ingredient to show that within 60 days, people lost 10.95 pounds versus a placebo.
The intended benefits of this brand are increased fat loss, energy, and enhanced metabolism. For their caffeine brands, they advise to start with just 1 capsule a day, then eventually building up to 2 capsules twice a day. Their Hydroxycut blend is a proprietary formula featuring fruit, green coffee, and saffron. In this review you’ll learn about the surprising company history, what customers have to say about it, and whether or not it’s a good weight loss supplement. The top 10 diet pills are featured in this comprehensive list.
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Hydroxycut Ingredients and Side Effects
Robusta Coffee Extract (45% (Chlorogenic Acid)
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Papaya
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Blackberry
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Saffron Extract
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Caffeine Anhydrous
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Maqui
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Amla Extract
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Microcrystalline Cellulose
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Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate
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Pre-gelatinized Starch
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Stearic Acid
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Titanium Dioxide
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Polyethylene Glycol
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Talc
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Croscarmellose Sodium
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Magnesium Stearate
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Silicon Dioxide
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Robusta Coffee Extract (45% Chlorogenic Acid): Unroasted Robusta coffee, which is a species of coffee bean known for its higher bitterness and acidity.
It’s intended to help improve metabolism and control blood sugar. It can potentially cause side effects that include:
- Insomnia, nausea, and agitation.
- Anxiety, rapid heart rate, and difficulty concentrating.
- Restlessness, ringing in the ears, and headaches.
A study is provided by the manufacturers to show how effective this ingredient is versus a placebo.
The study was funded by a company who sells this extract, so there’s a potential for bias. In this study they took 50 volunteers and made them follow a low calorie diet.
Other unbiased studies have shown this ingredient to be ineffective for weight loss. Examine.com adds:
“seems weakly to moderately effective (on fat loss)”
It’s possible the only reason for fat loss is due to the caffeine.
Saffron Extract: Plant extract that’s used in cooking, as well as a way to improve mood and reduce sickness. Though there isn’t sufficient studies about its use. Web MD adds:
“There isn’t enough information to know how saffron might work”
“Taking large amounts of saffron by mough is POSSIBLY UNSAFE”
Possible side effects include:
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes.
- Poisoning.
- Vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and numbness.
- Death.
When taken at large amounts there have been cases of people dying from this.
Caffeine Anhydrous: Dehydrated form of caffeine that stimulates the central nervous system, it increaseses energy and metabolism.
A full serving of Hydroxycut Pro Clinical, their flagship brand, has 400 mg per daily serving. This is the maximum allowed limit for caffeine, and due to this, the company mentions:
“Do not take within 5 hours of bedtime”
“Consume 8 to 10 glasses of water per day”
This is to avoid both insomnia and dehydration. They also advise to not take any other stimulants, since it would likely raise the risk for serious side effects. Though on its own, it can potentially cause:
- Anxiety, agitation, and pain in the chest.
- Rapid heart rate, tremors, and jitters.
- Cardiovascular damage, insomnia, and restlessness.
- Dehydration, headaches, and mood swings.
Caffeine also has limitations, as Examine.com adds:
“Habitual caffeine use leads to tolerance. This means the effects of caffeine will be diminished… where the only benefit a user experiences is caffeine’s anti-sleep effect”
Therefore, caffeine must be only taken for short periods before it loses its potential weight loss effects.
Certain people are much more sensitive to caffeine, and that’s why it’s advised to slowly introduce this brand, and to not take more than just 1 pill to start with.
Maqui: A berry found in parts of Latin America, it’s used to help with weight loss. However, Web MD adds:
“There isn’t enough information to know if maqui is safe”
The possible side effects are also not known.
Amla Extract: This fruit has been used to lower bad cholesterol, and to provide antioxidant support. Though Examine.com adds:
“there is not enough evidence to recommend Amla for any particular purpose”
There have also been cases of people experiencing liver damage.
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Hydroxycut Quality of Ingredients
Ingredients like amla, maqui, and saffron have not been thoroughly studied and it’s unknown if they would affect weight loss.
Then there’s the added caffeine and green coffee bean which are the key active ingredients. Caffeine can be replaced with coffee or tea for cheaper and green coffee bean hasn’t shown any valuable weight loss effects. Studies have shown it to be either ineffective, or weak in its possible weight loss effects.
For the kinds of ingredients used, the lack of clinical studies for some ingredients, and the unknown side effects of certain additives, this mixture is a poor choice for weight loss. There are far too many unanswered questions to determine what the formula might do.
The Price and Quality of Hydroxycut
Sales are not offered via the manfaucturer, but they do suggest multiple online and in store 3rd party retailers.
Amazon.com sells one 150 capsule bottle for $28.56. At the maximum dosage of 4 capsules a day, this lasts for a total of 37.5 days. This makes the daily cost for supplementation 76 cents.
Though inexpensive, many of the ingredinets in this are either innefective for weight loss, not yet proven, or can be replaced.
There’s a high amount of caffeine in this which isn’t a long lasting source for weight loss. It may also provide side effects. Stimulant free options for long lasting weight loss are available if you click here.
Caffeine at 400 mg is roughly 4 cups of coffee. That’s why special considerations must be put in place to help protect against side effects. Still, the key active ingredients in caffeine and green coffee bean extract aren’t enough to suggest both reliable and safe effects. These two ingredients can also be replaced for much cheaper.
Business of Hydroxycut
The owners of this brand are Iovate Health Sciences Inc. They can be reached via the following:
Phone Number: (888) 334-4448
Address: 381 North Service Road West
Oakville, ON, L6M 0H4 Canada
Email: [email protected]
The company has been in trouble with both the FDA and FTC.
The FTC fined them $5.5 million dollars for making false advertising claims about their supplements. This included stating that their brands had positive health benefits, and because of this, they were required to refund customers who bought supplements from them.
The FDA also sent them a warning letter due to:
“liver toxicity associated with the use of multiple versions of the dietary supplement Hydroxycut”
“Agency has concluded that the ingestion of the dietary supplement Hydroxycut presents a severe potentially life-threatening hazard to some users”
This forced the company to schedule a mandatory recall on all Hydroxycut on the market. There were 23 reports of severe health problems due to this supplement, and one person died from it.
After this, in 2024 and 2024 there were still incidents of heart problems and ulcers associated the use of Hydroxycut.
They currently have 6 complaints on their Better Business Bureau website. This is due to issues with service, the products, and a lack of communication from the company.
EDITOR’S TIP: For the best results, our experts recommend using weight loss pills for at least 3 months. Save your money by buying a few bottles at once.
Customer Opinions of Hydroxycut
Here are select reviews from online customers:
“I really don’t have any effect using this product”
“Made me feel super sick and dizzy”
“It’s mostly a glorified caffeine pill”
“I had severe nausea, abdominal pain and felt like my stomach was on fire”
Amazon.com currently features 535 complaints. It’s often mentioned from customers that they experienced side effects, as well as a lack of weight loss.
Common side effects experienced by users include nausea, stomach pain, anxiety, rapid heart rate, restlessness, anxiousness, agitation, and some experienced difficulty breathing.
Many also said this is basically just a caffeine pill, and that it had no noticeable weight loss effects.
Conclusion - Does Hydroxycut Work?
The key features to notice about this brand are the company history, and the kinds of ingredients used. Many customers have failed to see any weight loss benefits, and people describe it as a caffeine pill. This is likely because the only ingredeints in this that might have a weight loss effect are caffeine and green coffee extract. There’s not enough in this to suggest it would help benefit people. The company has also had to recall Hydroxycut due to serious health concerns. There’s also a lot of caffeine added to this, with a full serving providing the maximum recommended dosage strength for caffeine.
Stimulant free options are available, and the 2024 supplement of the year is called Sletrokor.
There’s only natural ingredients added to this blend, with the ability to suppress appetite, increase metabolism, and improve mood. Many users have left great testimonials showcasing how effective and safe it is. This supplement has no artificial ingredients, preservatives, or stimulants of any kind.
You can try Sletrokor risk free since they offer a 30 day money back guarantee. Anyone can see for themselves what this brand has to offer.
User Feedback
(Page 4 of 41, 802 total comments)cloressa amy
I lost 15 pounds but my nose bled and i itch finished one bottle will not do again rather be thick than dead
posted Mar 28th, 2010 5:06 pmcloressa amy
It help me loose 15 pounds I was 322 but sometimes my nose bleeds i be scared i finish one bottle but wont take again i rather be fat than dead
posted Mar 28th, 2010 4:57 pmMiss M
So honestly how many people when they stopped using the pills gain weight back? Im really trying to get down to my normal weight but i have been struggling.
posted Feb 6th, 2010 7:50 pmSandra
I was 168 lbs after giving birth and with hydroxycut and paying attention to what I ate, I lost 28lbs in 4 months. I did not go to the gym at all. My husband took it with me for the same time frame and lost 30 lbs. We were thrilled with it. I have started going to the gym now and thinking I'll give it another shot.. I LOVED IT.
posted Feb 2nd, 2010 3:19 pmsara
i like to use this product but im scared . i need to drop 50 lbs baby weight i need som encouragement
posted Jan 29th, 2010 2:51 pmtami
+i took these pills in 07' and lost the weight real good it curbs your appetite and all i did was take the pills as needed and not pass 3 o'clock and work and my weight just came off i think it just really depends on the person every medicine does not work i have tried acai and its not for me at all I LOST NO WEIGHT WITH ACAI
posted Jan 28th, 2010 5:47 pmarmy dude
+Well I personally take 12 a day, i have an active
posted Jan 25th, 2010 9:40 amjob as infantry , and need to get back in shape after my injury, i wanna deploy in october and won't pull it off at 260 lbs, i need to get down to about 210, I have lost 13 pounds in about a week, I eat tuna,but i personally can't kick the beer an i've lost that much,yeah my hearts gonna be messed up but i'll look good.
crystal
I used it for a month and i lost 20 pounds with healthy eating and exercising but once i stopped taking the pills and continued exercising and eating healthy i gained back 10 pounds of what i lost so i think it only gets rid of water weight. The first few weeks worked the best but I'm not going to take them again because i feel like its a waste of twenty dollars.
posted Jan 22nd, 2010 7:33 pmKatie
+I have never used a diet pill before but I had to do something after high school I gained 40 lbs and as soon as i started hydroxycut it curbed my appetite and gave me so much energy...I can work out harder and longer when I take it...It really Works
posted Jan 20th, 2010 2:46 amsteve
hey does this pill really work????
posted Jan 19th, 2010 1:43 amcause i was lookin fordward to use it..
Manda
+worked for me
posted Jan 4th, 2010 11:27 ambernice schmidt
+hydroxycut is the only diet pill, i have found thats works. for me. i can loose 30 to 40 pounds on it in a month. i cut all sodas and sweets out and i exercise alot. i can see results in a week or two.
posted Jan 3rd, 2010 12:37 pmcollegegirl86
I took Hydroxycut for a month... just to finish the bottle. I felt so much more motivated and actually saw the weight on my body literally disappear. It was amazing and I almost thought it was due to my hard work at the gym and diet. So, I stopped taking it because right when my bottle ran out, the recall came and my dad freaked out. Now it's been almost a little over a year and I feel as fat as I was. I did however go on a looonnnggg vacation with tons of drinking and other not-so-great eating choices. But Im wanting to look and feel as great as I did back then. Only draw back is, I was really scared when I had a bad headache for about a week or two prior to discontinuing with the pills. Has anyone else experienced this? Could it just be the caffeine my body was not longer getting, yet still craving? I then vowed to never take Hydroxycut again, but Im seriously thinking.. that 1-2 week headache was well worth it.
posted Dec 25th, 2009 1:13 amfaisal
well im still new on this pill but my friend lost 40 kg in 4 months by using it with no side effects that made me buy it i hope it works good for me also with no side effects
posted Dec 11th, 2009 1:46 pmAshley
+im 19 5' 2 n weigh 145 this is the most i have ever weighed n i just started taking the pill 3 days ago i drink 5-7 cups of water a day watch 3 kids 5, 2, n 3 months i clean jog,walk plus just started eatn right and exercising i feel great i dont know if its just my motivation but i feel the results and cant look forward to seeing further results.
posted Nov 29th, 2009 2:08 pmmendoza
+im 22yr female. always been very athletic and healthy. always had a musclar figure well after i gave birth to my first child i went from the weight of 140 to 230 lb at delivery i couldnt believe it. i was so fat lost 40 lbs by very intense traing and eating right in 4 months than came to a plateu i was discouraged i couldnt figure out y i couldnt lose the extra weight when a friend told me i should try hc i started taking it i wanted to see if it worked i stop going to gym and i still lost weight so then after using it for 2 weeks and losing 10lbs w little effort i went to gym every other day and eat six times a day i lost another 12 ilb in just 2 weeks i ve been using it off and on since at recommend dosage and worked up to the stronger dosaging of hc such as hc hard core and never had any side effect everyone is different if ur healthy and reached a plateu in ur weight y not try hc there is a lot of things in america that are hazederous if consumed but that doesnt stop them like cigaretts and meat i am grateful for hc because it helped me get back sexy musclular body back when dieting and intense training wasnt enough through hard work and time i went from 230lbs to 156 and i now only have 16 ibs to lose to get my before kid body back thank u hc im forever grateful and i strongly recommend this product just remember a lot of things in this world are harmful to human life but we all still consume it
posted Nov 23rd, 2009 2:43 pmAngela
+Hydroxycut helped me loose 20 pds and a hell of alot of inches on my waist in a month! i loved it and it gave me energy..... obviously people u need to work out with it and drink plenty of water! and another thing... everything is not ment for everybody if u have health conditions obviously u shouldnt be taking hydroxycut. If your obese especially obviously u should change ur diet before starting hydroxycut.... shit doesnt just happen over night
posted Nov 17th, 2009 5:55 pmGuest
I can't believe you people actually believe this crap. I lost tons of weight with ONLY diet and exercise. People are so lazy. They want to lose weight without any work. Better to work your tail off for months than to have your liver destroyed.
posted Oct 30th, 2009 12:27 amStephenie
+I use hydroxyxut MAX and beleive it is helping me tremendously. I have cut down my servings and I do not exercise. I have lost anywhere from 12-18 lbs per month. Loosing weight is painful no matter what way you try - but if you want to be obese and can't withstand the pain of abstinance and wanting a thinner you - then this isn't for you!
posted Oct 28th, 2009 2:01 pmjon
hello im jon from philippines, i purchased hydroxycut last year(2008) at GNC until now i do not drink it and his expiration date was on MAY 2011.. now my question is MY HYDROCYCUT is EPHEDRA FREE because there is no sign of EPHEDRA FREE.. how will i know tha?? pls help me....
posted Oct 26th, 2009 12:24 pm