Drug & supplement interaction

Bilberry + Aspirin

Aspirin brand names: Children's Aspirin, Easprin, Ecotrin, ASA, Asaphen, and others.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Bilberry has a moderate interaction with Aspirin. Theoretically, bilberry fruit extract might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Bilberry and Aspirin

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS

Why this applies to Aspirin

Aspirin falls under ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS — the group Bilberry interacts with.

Theoretically, bilberry fruit extract might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro, animal, and clinical research suggest that anthocyanidin extracts from bilberry can inhibit platelet aggregation.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist: aspirin already works by making your platelets less sticky, which is why it lowers your risk of clots but can also raise your risk of bleeding and bruising. Bilberry's plant compounds (anthocyanins) appear to do something similar in lab and early studies, gently nudging platelets to clump less. Stacking the two could, in theory, add up to a bit more bleeding risk, like nosebleeds, easy bruising, or bleeding that takes longer to stop.

That said, this concern is mostly based on lab and animal work, so it's not a proven, dramatic problem. Eating bilberries in food amounts is unlikely to matter much. Concentrated supplements are where I'd be more cautious. Check with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them, and don't change your aspirin on your own.

References
  1. Morazzoni P, Magistretti MJ. Activity of Myrtocyan, an anthosyanoside complex from Vaccinium myrtillus (VMA), on platelet aggregation and adhesiveness. Fitoterapia 1990;61:13-21.
  2. Erlund, I., Koli, R., Alfthan, G., Marniemi, J., Puukka, P., Mustonen, P., Mattila, P., and Jula, A. Favorable effects of berry consumption on platelet function, blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87(2):323-331. PubMed
  3. Pulliero G, Montin S, Bettini V, and et al. Ex vivo study of the inhibitory effects of Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides on human platelet aggregation. Fitoterapia 1989;60:69-75.
  4. Bottecchia D. Preliminary report on the inhibitory effect of vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides on platelet aggregation and clot retraction. Fitoterapia 1987;48:3-8.
  5. Fdez, M., Zaragoza, F., and Alvarez, P. In vitro platelet aggregation effects of anthocyanosides of vaccinium myrtilus L. Anales de la Real Academia de Farmacia 1983;49:79-90.

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Bilberry Also Interacts With Other Medications

Bilberry has 274 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Aspirin one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Bilberry

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Bilberry. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Aspirin

This page covers Bilberry only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Aspirin page lists 242 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Asarabacca (major), Beer (major), Danshen (major) and Piracetam (major).

By severity: 7 major · 206 moderate · 29 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Aspirin page

“Aspirin thins the blood on purpose, and most of the 242 supplements and herbs on this page push that same effect further, so genuine care is warranted here rather than a shrug. Just over 200 of the entries can add to aspirin's antiplatelet action and raise the odds of bruising or bleeding, particularly in the stomach.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Aspirin interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Bilberry as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 3,883 real supplement products containing Bilberry, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Bilberry. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Aspirin too, on top of Bilberry — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Bilberry and Aspirin Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Bilberry
Top 10%

#84 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Aspirin
Top 1%

#17 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Bilberry

What is Bilberry?

Bilberry
  • Eye and vision health
  • Antioxidant support
  • Diarrhea and digestive upset
  • Circulation and vein health
  • Blood sugar support

Bilberry is a blueberry-like fruit rich in antioxidant plant compounds called anthocyanins, and it has a long history of traditional use for eye health, circulation, and mild diarrhea. While it is generally well tolerated as a food and supplement, strong scientific proof for most health claims is limited. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using bilberry supplements, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a health condition.

Read the full Bilberry monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Aspirin Rectal

What Is Aspirin Rectal Used For?

Brand names: Children's Aspirin, Easprin, Ecotrin, ASA, Asaphen, Aspirin, Gencardia, Micropirin, Angettes 75, Caprin, Nu-Seals Aspirin, Resprin, Durlaza, Cartia

Aspirin rectal suppositories are used to relieve pain and reduce fever in adults. They offer an alternative route for people who may have difficulty taking aspirin by mouth.

Children under 12 should not use this product without first consulting a physician.

See full Aspirin Rectal drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Bilberry

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Bilberry — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
274Moderate
0Minor
2,555No known interaction
Moderate

274 interactions

Showing 60 of 274 moderate interactions — see all 274 on the Bilberry page.

No interaction 2,555 drugs checked — show the list
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Bilberry and Aspirin Together: Common Questions

Can you take Bilberry with Aspirin?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Bilberry and Aspirin interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Aspirin and Bilberry?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.