Update 1/20/20. Japanese Hokkaido Weight Loss Pills are another in a long line of weight loss supplements from Japan, China, Vietnam, etc. aimed predominately at Americans. I admit I'd never heard of these slimming pills until it was brought to my attention by one of the readers of my blog. At various websites, these pills are said to be “in high demand,” and when I checked eBay, I saw some people selling them for over $60! Do these slimming pills work? Let’s see what the research says. This review contains updated and new information, thanks to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who tested Hokkaido weight loss pills and discovered what I suspected from the start… Also, see the review of Slim Trim U for more info.
Hokkaido Pills Ingredients
Hokkaido weight loss pills contain these ingredients.
- Dill Extract
- Chinese rose extract
- Trumpet Creeper extract
- Evening primrose extract
- Lotus
Is there any evidence that these ingredients help people lose weight? Let’s look at the research and see:
Dill Extract
They don’t tell you what “extract” they are talking about, but when I searched for weight loss research on dill, I found nothing. Dill does seem to have a diuretic effect so it may act as a natural water pill. I'm guessing that is why it’s in the ingredients.
Women who may be pregnant should avoid Hokkaido Weight Loss Pills. There is some speculation that dill may cause menstrual bleeding. I cannot find any research or case studies to substantiate this, however, but it is something to consider.
Chinese Rose Extract
Again, they do not tell us what specific extract they are talking about. What is the scientific name of the Chinese rose they are using? If anyone knows, let me know, and I will update this review.
Trumpet Creeper Extract
If you search for research on Trumpet Creeper, online, it can be a little difficult to find because its scientific name is Campsis radicans. Another name –albeit less scientific – is cow itch, which is a reference to how farm animals sometimes get a rash when they rub against it. This makes sense since the name “radicans” is the same classification as poison ivy (Rhus radicans).
That said, I could not locate any weight loss proof that Trumpet Creeper helps weight loss. When I googled Trumpet Creeper and weight loss, many sites that came up had to do with sites that sell weight-loss pills and that was no help. I then checked the National Library of Medicine and also couldn’t find anything. One problem with my search is that we are not told what extract of Trumpet Creeper is in Hokkaido weight loss pills.
Evening Primrose Extract
This is also called GLA, which stands for gamma-linolenic acid. The lack of evening primrose weight loss research makes me very skeptical. One study from the 1980s found evening primrose oil did not help weight loss.
Because evening primrose oil effects blood clotting, people taking blood thinners should avoid this product. There is also some perplexing cancer research hints that evening primrose oil might either reduce breast cancer growth or speed up breast cancer growth, depending on how much is used. The bottom line, if you have a history of cancer, talk to your doctor first.
The product Abdominal Cuts also has evening primrose oil. See that review for more info.
Evening primrose oil is sometimes used for PMS symptoms –with mixed results. Like Dill, women who may be pregnant should not use evening primrose oil.
It may be very dangerous. If you have my book on supplements see the chapter on evening primrose oil for more on its other uses.
Hokkaido FDA Update
In November 2012, The FDA alerted the public that Japanise Hokkaido Slimming Pills contained the weight loss drug called sibutramine, a weight-loss drug that was removed from the US market in 2010 because it posed significant health risks. Here is what the FDA said in their warning about Hokkaido pills:
“Sibutramine is known to substantially increase blood pressure and/or pulse rate in some patients and may present a significant risk for patients with a history of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or stroke. This product may also interact, in life-threatening ways, with other medications a consumer may be taking.”
This explains the very strange symptoms people have been reporting in the comments.
Lotus
Human weight loss research on lotus cannot be located. I did locate one test-tube study where lotus and L carnitine reduced fat buildup inside fat cells. This is interesting but it’s a study of fat cells in test tubes. You are MUCH more complex than a test tube.
You may recall that lotus is one of the ingredients in Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen weight loss supplements.
On one of the websites that sell Hokkaido Pills, they spelled “primrose” wrong and there is broken English. Nobody is perfect but ingredient typos – and broken English on websites make me wonder about who put this website together.
Do Hokkaido Weight Loss Pills work?
Based on the research I can find, I say no, this stuff cannot possibly work – if these are the only ingredients in the pills. If people are losing weight, I am interested in hearing about it. Since I wrote this review, the FDA has confirmed what I thought all along – that Hokkaido slimming pills contained something not listed in the ingredients, a drug called sibutramine. Because of this, Hokkaido weight loss pills cannot be recommended.
What do you think?
i used to be an avid fan of these pills back then. I lost a lot of weight after consuming two bottles. I experienced the typical side effects such as being always thirsty, sweating, palpitations, etc. but I often brushed them aside as they were minor ones. I started taking them early in 2011. The changes were observable to many and I was happy.
A couple of months later, I was curious to try a new slimming product (Pretty Model Slimming Capsule) for 2 months but nothing compares with the Japan pills. So when I put on a few pounds again lately this Summer of 2012, I ordered 2 bottles from the same supplier I had back then. Same effect. But after 1 month of taking it, I was hospitalized due to tachycardia and angina.
It was my first time to be hospitalized and have that serious illness. And I read from a lot of reviews online that most slimming pills contain ingredients (sibutramine I think) which alter the normal rhythm of the heart. It was only after reading some comments here that I realized that the ingredients of this Japan Hokkaido Pink Pills were indeed too general to assure the health safety of the consumers and the lack of information about the manufacturing company is really doubtful.
Products duly approved as safe by the government always provide for their ingredients as well as the contact information of the manufacturer, right? So as far as I’m concerned, I won’t ever take a single pill again to manage my weight. I’d rather go for the sure and natural way than the risky but easiest way. Think twice. What some say is true, it’s super effectiveness is real scary. It contains something which makes it that effective, but we dont what that something is. Now I learned that i won’t gamble with uncertainty ever again. Life is short, don’t make it shorter.
effective? yes. would i recommend it? no. really.
i was an avid fan of this pill back then. Started taking it year 2011. Yup, it’s fast and effective and the results are easily seen. i usually st0p after the 2nd b0ttle. I would resume only after a c0uple of m0nths when I put on a few p0unds. I experienced the usual side effects and often brushed it off aside. Lately, after summer break i wanted to get slim again so i started taking it again fr0m the same supplier i had. Still the same effect. Do i recommenced it? At first, yes. At second thought, no.
I was an avid fan of these pills back then. Yup, it’s really fast and effective. I got my ideal body figure after 2 b0ttles.
@kate
Hi im also a nurse and been using this Hokkaido pills last may and i already consumed 1 bottle and im halfway my 2nd bottle.but after seeing this local TV news about the dangers of slimming pills,i immediate threw those pills right away.and now,im planning to have some lab tests to determine liver function. can u tell me what’s the result of your blood test as you stated you do blood works since you’re taking those pills too?
i hope you’ll respond..thanks.
i really wanted to loose weight so i try this pills secretly and yes i loose weight many said that i look great…i don’t feel hungry at all but i still eat 3 meals per day and drink plenty of water,i go to the gym and stop eating junk foods and soda’s but sometimes i feel palpitation and head heaviness but then it will disappear,
i don’t have problem on my stomach nor my sleeping pattern but as soon as i heard about the bad effect i stop taking this pills because it scare me, i’m only 24 i don’t like to die or develop any disease,
i’m halfway my second bottle,since i’m a nurse it easy for me to do blood works because it’s free now i’m waiting for the result i’m praying that nothing really serious happen on my body… =)
please beware pills users :/ its very fast and totally effective … but it’s super deadly
hey., i’m using hokkaido in 2 weeks now.. and i lost 6 pounds! that’s big and so fast., but I just seen now on the nes (tv patrol) that slimming pills is very dangerous, they reported death of a woman using slimming pill that was banned by FDA, it will kill you because it damages your liver., the symptoms i’ve seen on tv is also happening to me , dry mouth, always thirsty, headache, nausea and i feel so weak HOKKAIDO is also known as PILL FOR WEIGHT REDUCTION and it’s the 18 on the list of banned drugs of FDA
look at this:
MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered the recall, seizure, and ban of 26 slimming products found to contain amphetamine, sibutramine, and steroids.
In a circular, FDA acting Director Suzette Lazo said these “slimming products are not registered and not approved or authorized by this office to be sold in the market.”
The slimming products are sold in the form of capsules and slimming coffee.
The banned products are:
1.Ballet Dancer Fat Reducing
2.Bio-Lissom Fat Reducing
3.Brazilian Slimming Coffee
4.Cell Life Slimming Coffee
5.Elegant Shape Fat Reducing
6.Goodliness Fat Reducing
7.Happyslim
8.Leisure 18 Slimming Coffee
9.Lightness Fat Reducing
10.Maggie Fitness Essence
11.Mei Shen Ting Anti-Obesity
12.Modeling Fat-Reducing
13.New Original Lightness Fat-Reducing
14.Pearl White Slimming
15.Perfect Figure Slimming
16.Perfect Slim Fat Reduction Cosmetic
17.Perfect Slim Purely Natural Fat Reduction Cosmetic
18.Pill for Weight Reduction
19.Pretty Model
20.Qiaomei Fat Binder
21.Qi Xian Nu
22.Seven Days Miracle
23.Shaping Body Fat Loss
24.Slim and Beauty Slimming
25.Slim Up Extra Whitening and Reducing
26.Xianzimei Fat Reduction
i really don’t want to stop using it, because it’s very effective.,but it’s just the way that it kills you . slowly but surely. because it damages your liver ..
so we must stop using this . please read this because it’s very important for us to know about it..
I have a lot of energy and I’m not hungry at all I am making myself eat because of the intense work outs so it has to work. But more than you take in its not rocket science.
checking back in and sad to say still taking pills but putting weight on and on.. may be due to loss of employment or horrible breakup with my boyfriend of 6 yrs 🙁 stress idk however im still trying
Jess, sorry to hear about all the bad stuff going on in your life.
I started taking this slimming pills on Monday and I can really say that this pill is effective. I have a lot of cravings for a few weeks now and it stopped on the first day that i started taking 2 pills right after I woke up. I am not suffering from insomnia although I notice that i only have like 5-6 hours of sleep for the past 3 days but i don’t feel sleepy at all throughout the day.
I’ve tried pills and slimming juice before but i can’t stand it because of all the side effects that was mentioned above. I was so amazed with H. Pills because it doesn’t have all those side-effects. some may exp. dry-mouth maybe because they are not drinking enough water…. Im so glad that may friend gave me 2 bot. of this pill since she have tried it already and proved that it really works…… i don’t know where she bought it but as far as i can remember, she mentioned that each bottle. cost 250-300PHP only.
I started these pills in feb 2011. I was 275 pounds. I now weigh 195 pounds and have been this weight for 6 months now. I had none of the symptoms as others have reported. I also have about 90 friends,family,friends of family that have taken them. Out of those numbers only 3 people have complained of any side affects, thus they stopped taking them. the most common thing I have noticed is they work best for the very heavy.
for my friends just trying to lose 10,20 pounds, it took a lot longer to do. I haven’t lost anymore but i have been able to maintain with just taking it once a week. I didn’t exercise at all, and all I ate was drive thru food. (which is probably how I got so overweight in the first place) I have noticed that I did start to eat a little healthier. more fruits then junk, but i hate water, i only drink my diet coke and for the dry mouth, I chew gum. I emailed the lady about the news report, I also live in Bakersfield and saw the horrible report. what was horrible was the lack of real investigation. I have learned more on this blog then the repot gave..
I have said this every time anyone mentions that they might be bad for me.. Isn’t being GROSSLY OBESE bad? thats what my Dr called me.. cant you have a heart attack, kidney damage, liver damage from being obese? He isn’t calling me that anymore. at least if I die now, my kids can carry my casket and not need a crane.
hey there! i’m Jade, also from the Philippines.I’ve been using this pills “secretly” for almost 9 days now. I had ordered 3 boxes from a close friend of mine saying this “pill” really works and also I am experiencing this side effects that you are talking about (dry mouth mostly, sleeping difficulties at first, headache ).
And if I have I’m a recent nursing grad. preparing for an Exam and so mostly all my focus is into studying (so I gain a lot of weight looking for a quick fix so a tried this pills). Just this night I am reading about substance abuse, mainly AMPHETAMINE-category of being a stimulant as well to treat ADHD (Attention Def. Hyperactivity Disorder) AND also treat obesity . What freaks me out most is that all “H. Pills” side effects is also the same adverse effects of abuse of Amphetamine.
Amphetamine is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on this medication, and withdrawal effects may occur if you stop taking it suddenly after several weeks of continuous use.
So, Right now, It scares me that maybe thse pills have amphetamine that cause weight reduction and not the said ingredients of the pill and what we are experiencing is abusive effects. Hopefully someone would do a research of what I am saying(because i’m not 100% sure of this or just plain paranoia).
I have not decided yet if i will continue taking the pill or not though (I know it would be bad for me but I want my body back being sexy too)..so guys would you help me right now i’m a 34inch in my waist line (36inch 1st day of using the pill) and my target waist would be a 29inch…
@bhabez:
Hi! I would just like to say that Pearl White Slimming Capsule, along with 25 other slimming products, has just been banned here in the Philippines just last May 21, 2012. When the FDA tested the products, they banned products were found to have contained amphetamine, sibutramine, and steroids, either singly or in combination with each other. Most of the products were said to have come from China.
@Joe:
Hi! Love your blog. It’s a good thing I came across this while I was doing research and googling of my own. Hokkaido has not yet been banned here though. But from what I’ve heard and read from your blog, both Pretty Model and Hokkaido sort of manifest the same side effects.
I personally tried Pretty Model, which has recently been banned here. I took it not for the purpose of weight loss, but just out of plain curiosity. Also because I, along with some others, are online sellers, we would’ve wanted to market this kind of “miracle pill”. It did show promising results however, the first week was like hell to me.
I was about to finish my 3rd box but it was already broadcasted to be harmful to the body. So naturally, I stopped. Hopefully the FDA would have these Hokkaido pills tested too. Most likely, they were manufactured from the same country, and contained prohibited ingredients.
@all:
Good luck in your weight loss regimen! Just don’t jeopardize your future life for the present look. All you need is just a little push. It’s mind over matter! 😀
Hi Everyone! Joe, thank you so much for your positive and extensive reviews! I too am like so many individuals trying to lose weight. I’ve tried metabolife 356, zi xiu tang, phentermine, hcg, and laxative teas. People need to understand that none of these PILLS are CURES! and for me I like CURES and not TREATMENTS!
We live in a world of pure evil. The enemy will do anything to destroy us. In America the only thing they promote is blood, sugar, and starch! your body was made to eat ONLY seed bearing fruits and vegetables! That is the CURE! If we focus our attention on Alkalinic foods and cut out the unnecessary acids, we won’t have to purchase poison pills! HOWEVER, if you are addicted, like I was to these foods and want some PILLS to aid you in making better decisions on what to eat, I suggests trying some of these sites. Thanks and God Bless.
@ BitA
Boost!? yup me too! and thats what they do=D.. I bought them on ebay and you know what im not sure which is which either lol the bottle and the inside of the pill look just a lil bit different but i figured what the hell..i’ll try em anyway:) n yup same thing.. Good luck to you girl! BTW…lost 4 more pounds since!!!
jess, that is great. Where did you get them? I have two different sets and not sure if they are real or fake. I do diet and exercise but need a boost!
Hello everyone..Ive been using them pills off and on.. one day yes one day no.. sometimes 1 sometimes 2. They work miracles. ive used both the fake and real.. both the exact same results. went from 220lbs to 162 in 4 months and i DO believe they are dangerous drugs in them. Desperate people do desperate things i guess, but wow am i a happier woman! I will stop them as soon as im completely happy then just maintain my weight.. maintaining is not hard for me just losing is and these pills helped a whole lot.
can you check this link if this is the real one or fake?
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.265563443512740.56748.100001772602705&type=3
hi ann and cris im from philippines too where did you buy?
hokaido pills? can you give me some info. how much it cost?
coz here in baguio they sell for only 280-300 php. im wondering its fake?
hope u can leave a reply. thankyou