What is chromium picolinate?
Chromium is a mineral found in certain foods. The body needs only trace amounts of
chromium, and deficiency of this mineral in humans is rare.
Chromium picolinate works together with insulin produced by the pancreas to metabolize
carbohydrates.
Chromium picolinate has been used in alternative medicine as an aid to lowering cholesterol or
improving the body's use of glucose (sugar). It is also commonly touted as a weight-loss supplement
that aids in reducing body fat and increasing lean muscle.
Not all uses for chromium picolinate have been approved by the FDA. Chromium
picolinate should not be substituted for prescription medications.
Chromium picolinate is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated
manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have
been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be
purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Chromium picolinate may also be used for other purposes not listed in chromium picolinate
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chromium picolinate?
Before using chromium picolinate, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, herbalist, or other healthcare
provider. You may not be able to use this product if you have:
-
liver disease;
-
diabetes;
-
cancer; or
-
a weak immune system.
Chromium picolinate may be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use
this product without talking to a healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
during treatment.
Chromium picolinate may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Ask your
healthcare provider before using this product if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take chromium picolinate?
When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also
consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.
If you choose to take chromium picolinate, use it as directed on the package or as directed by
your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is
recommended on the label.
Your healthcare provider may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best
results from chromium picolinate. The recommended dietary allowance of chromium increases with
age. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions. You may also consult the National Academy of
Sciences "Dietary Reference Intake" or the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "Dietary Reference
Intake" (formerly "Recommended Daily Allowances" or RDA) listings for more information.
Your dose needs may change if you have an injury, illness, or infection, if you are pregnant, if
you are under stress, or if you exercise more than usual.
Chromium picolinate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet,
exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Store chromium picolinate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of chromium picolinate?
No information is available about missing a dose of chromium picolinate. Consult your doctor,
pharmacist, or healthcare provider for instructions if you miss a dose.
Where can I get more information about chromium picolinate?
Your pharmacist has information about chromium picolinate written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of chromium picolinate?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, and you may have none at all.
Tell your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider about any unusual or bothersome side
effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about chromium picolinate?
Not all uses for chromium picolinate have been approved by the FDA. Chromium
picolinate should not be substituted for prescription medications.
Chromium picolinate is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated
manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have
been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be
purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Use chromium picolinate as directed on the label, or as your doctor has prescribed. Do not use
this product in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Your healthcare provider may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best
results from chromium picolinate. The recommended dietary allowance of chromium increases with
age. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions.
Your dose needs may change if you have an injury, illness, or infection, if you are pregnant, if
you are under stress, or if you exercise more than usual.
Chromium picolinate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet,
exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Tell your healthcare provider about all other medications you use, especially insulin or diabetes
medications you take by mouth, steroid medications, nicotinic acid, stomach acid reducers, asthma or
blood pressure medications, aspirin, or an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug).
What should I avoid while taking chromium picolinate?
Avoid a diet that is high in sugar. It may interfere with the effectiveness of chromium picolinate.
Avoid using antacids without your healthcare provider's advice. Use only the specific type of
antacid your healthcare provider recommends. Antacids contain different medicines and some types
can make it harder for your body to absorb chromium picolinate.
What other drugs will affect chromium picolinate?
Do not take chromium picolinate without the advice of a doctor if you are using any of the
following medications:
-
insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth;
-
steroid medications (prednisolone and others);
-
nicotinic acid (niacin, Niaspan, Niacor, Advicor, and
others);
-
stomach acid reducers such as cimetidine (Tagamet),
ranitidine (Zantac), famotidine (Pepcid), or nizatidine (Axid);
-
proton-pump inhibitor acid reducers such as esomeprazole
(Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or
rabeprazole (Aciphex);
-
a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol
(Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta, Ziac), carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol
(Coreg), esmolol (Brevibloc), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol),
nadolol (Corgard), penbutolol (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran),
sotalol (Betapace), or timolol (Blocadren); or
-
aspirin or an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug)
such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), indomethacin (Indocin),
piroxicam (Feldene), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
chromium picolinate. Tell your healthcare provider about all your prescription and over-the-counter
medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a
new medication without telling your healthcare provider.
What happens if I have an overdose of chromium picolinate?
