Metabolix Side Effects and Safety: Who Should Ask a GP or Pharmacist First
Metabolix is a food supplement containing caffeine and several plant extracts. This page gives general safety information. It is not medical advice and it cannot replace a conversation with a GP or pharmacist.
- Not for under-18s, and ask first if pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication
- Contains caffeine and cayenne: take care if you are sensitive to stimulants
- Stop and seek advice if you feel unwell
Advertising: we may earn a commission if you buy via this link, at no extra cost to you.
Safety in one paragraph
Metabolix is not designed for everyone. If you are under 18, pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, managing a medical condition or sensitive to caffeine, speak to a GP or pharmacist before using it. If you ever feel unwell while taking it, stop and seek advice. The seller publishes ingredients and amounts, and you should compare them with your own circumstances.
Who should ask first
Metabolix is intended for adults. It is not for under-18s. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take any medication, or have a medical condition, ask a GP or pharmacist before you start, and take the pack and its ingredient list with you.
Anyone with an eating disorder, or a history of one, should speak to a GP before using any weight-control product. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
See the current offer:
See the current offerCheck price, delivery and returns on the offer pageAdvertising: we may earn a commission if you buy via this link, at no extra cost to you.
Ingredient-by-ingredient cautions
- Caffeine (100 mg a day) and cayenne pepper extract: take care if you are sensitive to stimulants or spicy ingredients, or have heart or blood-pressure issues, anxiety or sleep problems. Do not take it late in the day. General guidance is up to 400 mg of caffeine a day for most adults and 200 mg a day in pregnancy, counting every source.
- Green tea extract (150 mg a day): has been linked to rare liver problems at high intakes. Do not combine with other green tea extract products, and stop and seek advice if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine or persistent stomach pain.
- Ginger extract and L-carnitine tartrate: general cautions apply for people on blood thinners or thyroid medicine, so ask a pharmacist.
- Wheat fibre (600 mg a day): check the label if you have a wheat allergy or coeliac disease.
- Chromium picolinate (40 mcg a day): the amount is low, but mention it to a pharmacist along with everything else if you take medicines for blood sugar.
The amounts above come from the seller's published table. See ingredients and doses for the full list.
Check price and delivery:
See the current offerCheck price, delivery and returns on the offer pageAdvertising: we may earn a commission if you buy via this link, at no extra cost to you.
Using it sensibly
Follow the directions on the pack. The seller states 2 capsules once a day, unchewed, with two large glasses of water, about 15 to 30 minutes before a meal. Capsules can cause stomach upset in some people, so if you notice discomfort, do not continue to take more.
Do not exceed the stated dose, and keep the bottle out of reach of children. If you have a procedure planned, or you are starting a new medicine, tell the clinician or pharmacist that you take it.
See the current offer:
See the current offerCheck price, delivery and returns on the offer pageAdvertising: we may earn a commission if you buy via this link, at no extra cost to you.
What to tell a pharmacist
Bring the bottle or a photo of the ingredient table. Tell the pharmacist every medicine, herbal product and supplement you take, any allergies, whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and how much coffee, tea and other caffeine you have in a normal day. Pharmacists can check interactions quickly and at no charge, which is far better than guessing from a website.
See the current offer:
See the current offerCheck price, delivery and returns on the offer pageAdvertising: we may earn a commission if you buy via this link, at no extra cost to you.
When to stop and get advice
Stop taking Metabolix and seek advice from a GP or pharmacist if you feel unwell, notice a racing or irregular heartbeat, chest discomfort, severe stomach pain, an allergic reaction or any symptom that worries you. In an emergency, call 999.
You can report a suspected problem with a food supplement to your local authority's trading standards or environmental health team. For the seller and the terms, see our seller check and price and delivery, or return to the main guide.
Check price and delivery:
See the current offerCheck price, delivery and returns on the offer pageAdvertising: we may earn a commission if you buy via this link, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Does Metabolix have side effects?
Any supplement can disagree with some people. With caffeine and cayenne, possible issues include jitteriness, a faster heartbeat, trouble sleeping or stomach upset. This is general information, not a list from the seller.
Can I take Metabolix while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Ask a GP or pharmacist first. General guidance is up to 200 mg of caffeine a day in pregnancy, and the product has other plant extracts as well.
Can I take it with medication?
Ask a pharmacist. Ginger and L-carnitine come with general cautions for people on blood thinners or thyroid medicine, and caffeine can interact with some medicines.
Who should not take it?
Under-18s, and anyone advised by a clinician to avoid caffeine or any ingredient on the label. Anyone with an eating disorder or a history of one should speak to a GP before using any weight-control product.
Read the cautions and the label, then see the current offer:
See the current offerCheck price, delivery and returns on the offer pageAdvertising: we may earn a commission if you buy via this link, at no extra cost to you.