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chromium

Chromium (Chromium Picolinate) is a dietary supplement.

Chromium Picolinate

Not yet rated· sourced from the FDA label
Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated June 23, 2026·How we rate
Verified againstopenFDANIH DailyMedRxClass
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Key facts

Active ingredient
Chromium Picolinate
Form
Injectable
Type
Supplement

What is Chromium?

From the FDA label:Chromium 4 mcg/mL (Chromic Chloride Injection, USP) is a sterile, nonpyrogenic solution intended for use as an additive to intravenous solutions for total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Each mL of solution contains 20.5 mcg chromic chloride, hexahydrate and 9 mg sodium chloride. The solution contains no bacteriostat, antimicrobial agent, or added buffer. The pH is 2.0 (1.5 to 2.5); product may contain hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment. The osmolarity is 0.308 mOsm/mL (calc.). Chromic Chloride, USP is chemically designated chromic chloride, hexahydrate CrCl 3 • 6H 2 O, a crystalline compound soluble in water. Sodium Chloride, USP is chemically designated NaCl, a white, crystalline compound freely soluble in water. The semi-rigid vial is fabricated from a specially formulated polyolefin. It is a copolymer of ethylene and propylene. The safety of the plastic has been confirmed by tests in animals according to USP biological standards for plastic containers. The small amount of water vapor that can pass through the plastic container wall will not significantly alter the drug concentration.

What the evidence says

What Chromium is

Chromium is a trace mineral that the body uses in very small amounts; the form found in food and most supplements is chromium(III). It is best known for a possible role in helping the hormone insulin work, and it is sold in supplement forms such as chromium picolinate, chromium chloride, chromium nicotinate, and chromium polynicotinate. Most people in the US appear to get amounts similar to recommended intakes from a normal diet (foods such as meats, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables), and chromium deficiency has not been reported in healthy people. Note that scientists do not currently consider chromium clearly essential for health, even though in 2001 it was treated as an essential nutrient and recommended intake amounts were set.

Commonly used for

Marketed for blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetesPromoted for weight loss and reducing body fatMarketed to help build muscle or improve body compositionPromoted to support insulin action and blood sugar metabolismUsed by some people to address possible low chromium intake

What the evidence shows

Current US government health sources describe the evidence for chromium supplements as limited, mixed, and unconvincing for the uses it is marketed for. For type 2 diabetes and blood sugar, the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements notes that studies have had mixed results, that any reductions in fasting glucose or HbA1c tend to be slight and of unclear clinical significance, and that the American Diabetes Association concluded it cannot recommend chromium supplementation because a benefit has not been definitively shown. NCCIH characterizes the diabetes research as not strong enough to draw firm conclusions; some reviews suggest chromium may modestly affect blood sugar markers, but findings are inconsistent. For weight loss and body fat, the NIH reports that clinical trials have found only a very small effect that is statistically significant but of little clinical relevance and unlikely to make a meaningful difference in health or appearance. Evidence for metabolic syndrome and PCOS is also weak or mixed.

Typical dosage

There is no Recommended Dietary Allowance for chromium; instead the NIH lists an Adequate Intake (established in 2001) of about 35 mcg per day for adult men and 25 mcg per day for adult women, with somewhat lower amounts for adults over 50. Most people in the US appear to reach these levels through diet alone. Supplements are sold in a wide range of doses, often far above these intake levels (studies have used hundreds of mcg up to about 1,000 mcg/day), but no dose has been shown to reliably treat any condition. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking chromium, especially if you have diabetes, kidney or liver problems, or take prescription medications.

Safety

The NIH notes that chromium from food and dietary supplements does not appear to cause harm, but research on its safety is limited and no Tolerable Upper Intake Level has been set. The NIH Food and Nutrition Board cautioned that data are limited and that people with kidney (renal) or liver disease may be more susceptible to adverse effects from high chromium intakes. Isolated case reports have linked chromium supplements at large doses to problems such as liver dysfunction, kidney (renal) failure, muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), low blood counts, skin reactions (dermatitis), and low blood sugar, and the long-term effects of taking chromium have not been well studied. People with diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease, and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, should be especially cautious and consult a clinician first.

Side effects

According to NCCIH, chromium supplements may cause stomach pain and bloating. NCCIH and the NIH also note a few reports of more serious problems following large doses, including kidney damage, liver damage, muscle problems, and skin reactions. These serious reactions are uncommon and come mainly from isolated case reports, and the overall safety data are limited.

Interactions & cautions

Chromium may interact with several medications, so a clinician should review your full medication list before you start it. Because it may affect blood sugar, taking it with insulin or with metformin or other antidiabetes medicines could add to their glucose-lowering effect and increase the risk of low blood sugar. The NIH also notes that taking chromium at the same time as levothyroxine (a thyroid medication) may reduce how much levothyroxine your body absorbs, so the medication may be less effective. Always check with a doctor or pharmacist before combining chromium with prescription medications.

Sources

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Summarized from public health authorities; general reference, not medical advice. Talk to a licensed healthcare professional before starting any supplement.

How to use

Chromium 4 mcg/mL (Chromic Chloride Injection, USP) contains 4 mcg chromium/mL and is administered intravenously only after dilution. The additive should be administered in a volume of fluid not less than 100 mL. For the adult receiving TPN, the suggested additive dosage is 10 to 15 mcg chromium/day (2.5 to 3.75 mL/day). The metabolically stable adult with intestinal fluid loss may require 20 mcg chromium/day (5 mL/day), with frequent monitoring of blood levels as a guideline for subsequent administration. For pediatric patients, the suggested additive dosage is 0.14 to 0.20 mcg/kg/day (0.035 to 0.05 mL/kg/day). Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. See PRECAUTIONS .

Side effects

None known.

Warnings

Important safety information

Direct intramuscular or intravenous injection of Chromium 4 mcg/mL (Chromic Chloride Injection, USP) is contraindicated, as the acidic pH of the solution may cause considerable tissue irritation. Severe kidney disease may make it necessary to reduce or omit chromium and zinc doses because these elements are primarily eliminated in the urine. WARNING: This product contains aluminum that may be toxic. Aluminum may reach toxic levels with prolonged parenteral administration if kidney function is impaired. Premature neonates are particularly at risk because their kidneys are immature, and they require large amounts of calcium and phosphate solutions, which contain aluminum. Research indicates that patients with impaired kidney function, including premature neonates, who receive parenteral levels of aluminum at greater than 4 to 5 mcg/kg/day accumulate aluminum at levels associated with central nervous system and bone toxicity. Tissue loading may occur at even lower rates of administration.

Who should not take Chromium

None known.

Overdose — what happens if you take too much

Trivalent chromium administered intravenously to TPN patients has been shown to be nontoxic when given at dosage levels of up to 250 mcg/day for two consecutive weeks. Reported toxic reactions to chromium include nausea, vomiting, ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract, renal and hepatic damage, convulsions and coma. The acute LD 50 for intravenous trivalent chromium in rats was reported as 10 to 18 mg/kg.

U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.

Dosage forms

Injectable

The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms does Chromium come in?
Chromium is currently marketed as injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
Is Chromium safe?
There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Chromium. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
What are the side effects of Chromium?
Chromium's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: None known. Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.

Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

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