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Mangosteen and Pregnancy
It is not known if it is safe (or unsafe) for pregnant women to use mangosteen. Mangosteen has not been studied in any pregnant women or pregnant animals, so there is not enough information available to know if this substance is safe during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking mangosteen, make sure to talk to your healthcare provider. Just because mangosteen is a "natural" product, it does not automatically mean that it is safe to take during pregnancy.
Mangosteen is a tropical fruit that has become popular as a food, juice, and a dietary supplement taken for a variety of different uses. At this time, it is not known if it is safe for pregnant women to take mangosteen. This substance has not been adequately studied in any pregnant women or even pregnant animals. There is simply not enough information available to know if it is safe (or unsafe) for pregnant women.
It should never be assumed that natural products are automatically safe for pregnant women. This is a mistake many pregnant women make. Pregnancy often limits the prescription and non-prescription drugs that are available for a woman to take. As a result, pregnant women often seek safe alternatives, sometimes assuming that herbal supplements are always safe. This is simply not the case. Herbal supplements can be marketed in the United States without any evidence that they are safe (or even effective) for anyone, including pregnant women.
If you are pregnant, it is always a good idea to have a discussion with your healthcare provider before taking any medication or supplement, including mangosteen supplements. This is very important, even if you think your healthcare provider will not understand your choice or will discourage the use of alternative medicines.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD