Not a single serious side effect of hoodia is known at this point. Thirst suppression, which most people think of as minor, usually occurs after using hoodia. In order to avoid dehydration, thirst suppression should be recognized as after effect of hoodia usage. Most diet experts, by recognizing this, recommend eight 8 ounce glasses of water per day. Initially, that may seem like a lot. However, most sports bottles contain about twenty ounces, so three a day and you should be secured.

All of the appetite suppressants contain stimulants and have one common side effect associated with them. That side effect is increased heart rate. Hoodia gordonii, however, is an exception as no studies of hoodia side effects listed increased heart rate. One pharmaceutical company which is licensed to develop the active molecule in hoodia is Phytopharm situated in Leicestershire, England. This pharmaceutical company published the results of a clinical study and noted that there was no increased heart rate found among participants. Recently, Phytopharm announced that phase 1 of a 5 phase research project has been completed. In most of the cases, companies do not proceed with studies if perilous side effects are noted, but there are cases, which although not in great number, in which pharmaceutical companies go on and develop drugs which are recognized as complicating existing health problems and posing health risks. There may be some side effects of hoodia gordonii as Phytopharm is, suspiciously, not agreed to publish research reports.

Researches on the side effects of hoodia gordonii conducted by supplement companies and in some cases by independent practitioners have reported:

• That there is no increase in heart rate
• That there is no increased in blood pressure
• That there is no detrimental side effect