Herb & supplement monograph

Maqui Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS ·Updated June 2026

What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Maqui interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Maqui is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Maqui is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Maqui Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, the overall risk of a clinically significant Maqui drug interaction appears low for most people. None of the listed interactions are rated major or moderate, and every one of them is graded minor.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The combination most worth knowing about involves diabetes medications. In animal research, maqui berry lowered fasting blood sugar, so in theory adding it to these drugs could push blood sugar too low. That said, human studies in prediabetic people found that maqui extract, taken once or daily for three months, did not lower fasting blood sugar, which makes a meaningful effect in people less likely. If you take medicine for blood sugar, it is still sensible to keep an eye on your readings as you normally would.

What the rest of the list means

Maqui appears alongside a long list of medications, but a long list does not mean each pairing is harmful. These interactions are theoretical, drawn mostly from lab and animal findings, and the main predicted effect on blood sugar has not shown up in human studies so far.

Check your medications against Maqui

Based on HelloPharmacist’s Maqui interaction data and reviewed under our editorial standards.

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Maqui

86 medications have a known interaction with Maqui, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

Don’t want to scroll the list? Just ask.

Tell us the medications you take and we’ll check each one against Maqui using our pharmacist-reviewed interaction data.

AI summaries are generated from our Maqui interaction data for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI

2,830 drugs

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
Probable. Interaction 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.
Possible. 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
Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Maqui combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

The big picture

The kinds of drugs Maqui affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Maqui is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 1 drug category Maqui interacts with

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, maqui fruit extract may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research shows that maqui berry reduces fasting blood glucose. However, maqui berry extract taken orally, either as a single dose or daily for 3 months, does not decrease fasting blood glucose in prediabetic patients. It is unknown whether it might reduce blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B

Monograph

Maqui: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Reviewed June 2026 ·

The bottom line

Maqui is a dark purple berry from Chile that is very rich in antioxidant plant pigments called anthocyanins. Early research suggests it may help with things like blood sugar, dry eye, and inflammation, but the human evidence is still limited and far from proven. It is generally well tolerated as a food, but talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using concentrated supplements.

Scientific name: Aristotelia chilensis
Family: Elaeocarpaceae
Part used: Berries (fruit); leaves are used traditionally
Common forms: Capsules, powder, juice, extracts, dried berries

People commonly use it for

Antioxidant support
Blood sugar support
Eye health and dry eye
Anti-inflammatory support
Heart health

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance

OverallUse caution

Likely safe in food amounts, but supplement safety has not been well studied.

PregnancyInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full pregnancy detail

BreastfeedingInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Jump to a section

Overview

Maqui is a small, dark purple-black berry that grows on a shrub or small tree native to the temperate rainforests of southern Chile and parts of Argentina. The plant has long been used by the Mapuche people of the region as a food and a traditional remedy.

The berry is one of the richest known natural sources of anthocyanins, the same family of deep-colored antioxidant pigments found in blueberries and blackberries. Because of this, maqui is often marketed as a "superfruit." Today it is sold as juice, dried berries, powders, and capsules or extracts standardized for anthocyanin content.

How it works

Maqui's effects are mostly attributed to its very high content of anthocyanins, especially a type called delphinidin. These compounds act as antioxidants, meaning they may help neutralize unstable molecules called free radicals that can damage cells.

In laboratory and animal studies, maqui compounds have shown anti-inflammatory activity and effects on how the body handles sugar and fats. Some research suggests it may help support tear gland function, which is the basis for its use in dry eye.

It is important to know that most of these mechanisms come from test-tube and animal research. What happens in a lab does not always translate to real benefits in people.

Effectiveness

Does Maqui work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD.

Evidence overview · 3 uses evaluated

3 Insufficient evidence

How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.

2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.

3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.

4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.

5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.

6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.

7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.

For Maqui, current evidence isn’t strong enough to rate any specific use. The conditions it has been studied for are listed below.

Also studied for 3 conditions — evidence insufficient to rate

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Dry eye

Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is unclear if oral maqui berry extract is beneficial for dry eye.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Impaired glucose tolerance (Prediabetes)

Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is unclear if oral maqui berry is beneficial for improving glycemic control in adults with prediabetes.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Psychological well-being

Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

It is unclear if oral maqui berry is beneficial for improving psychological well-being.

Source & disclaimer. Effectiveness ratings and evidence summaries are provided by Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) and shown as licensed. Where Natural Medicines hasn’t rated a use, HelloPharmacist’s pharmacists may add their own reviewed rating and evidence (each such entry is labeled). This is educational information, not medical advice — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a supplement.

Safety & precautions

Maqui berry has a long history of use as a food and is generally considered safe when eaten in normal food amounts. Concentrated supplements and extracts, however, have not been studied as thoroughly for long-term safety.

People with diabetes or low blood sugar should be cautious, since maqui may affect blood sugar levels. Monitor closely and let your healthcare provider know if you use it. As with any supplement, product quality can vary, so choose reputable brands.

Because there is not enough safety information, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid maqui supplements and stick to ordinary food amounts at most, after checking with their doctor.

Side effects

Maqui is usually well tolerated. When side effects occur, they are typically mild and may include stomach upset or digestive discomfort.

As with any plant product, allergic reactions are possible. Stop using it and seek medical care if you develop a rash, itching, swelling, or trouble breathing. Because supplement amounts have not been widely studied, report any unusual symptoms to your pharmacist or doctor.

Dosing

There is no official or well-established dose for maqui. Doses used in research have varied widely depending on whether the product was a juice, powder, or standardized extract, so it is hard to recommend a single amount.

The best approach is to follow the directions on the product label and not exceed them. Because products differ in strength and anthocyanin content, ask your pharmacist for help choosing a quality product and a reasonable dose for your situation.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Maqui & Pregnancy

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Maqui & Breastfeeding

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 3 references that drive our Maqui monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Alvarado JL, Leschot A, Olivera-Nappa Á, et al. Delphinidin-rich maqui berry extract (Delphinol®) lowers fasting and postprandial glycemia and insulinemia in prediabetic individuals during oral glucose tolerance tests. Biomed Res Int. 2016;2016:9070537. PubMed
Alvarado J, Schoenlau F, Leschot A, Salgad AM, Vigil Portales P. Delphinol® standardized maqui berry extract significantly lowers blood glucose and improves blood lipid profile in prediabetic individuals in three-month clinical trial. Panminerva Med. 2016
Hidalgo J, Flores C, Hidalgo MA, et al. Delphinol® standardized maqui berry extract reduces postprandial blood glucose increase in individuals with impaired glucose regulation by novel mechanism of sodium glucose cotransporter inhibition. Panminerva Med.

Keep reading

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.

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.

Brand directory

Brands that make products with Maqui

174 brands in our database make a supplement containing Maqui.

Whole Body Research 28 products YumVs Strong Earth 3 products Zarbee's 49 products Zarbee's Naturals 28 products Zen Nutrients 5 products ZHOU 160 products

Product directory

Supplement products with Maqui

440 products in our database contain Maqui. Open any to see its full ingredient list and every drug interaction we check.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Maqui: Common Questions

What is Maqui used for, and does it work?

People use Maqui for a range of reasons, but according to the Natural Medicines database the current clinical evidence is insufficient to confirm it works for the specific conditions it has been studied for. See the graded list on this page, and talk to your pharmacist or doctor before relying on it for any condition.

Does Maqui interact with prescription medications?

Yes. We list 86 medications with a known interaction with Maqui. Use the checker above to see how Maqui interacts with a specific drug.

How are Maqui interactions rated?

Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.

Is it safe to take Maqui with my medications?

It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.

Where does this Maqui interaction information come from?

Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.

What is Maqui used for?

People use Maqui mainly as an antioxidant-rich superfruit and for support with blood sugar, dry eye, inflammation, and heart health. Most of these uses are based on early research and are not firmly proven.

Is Maqui safe to take?

As a food, Maqui berry is generally considered safe and well tolerated. Concentrated supplements have not been studied as much, so use a reputable product and check with your pharmacist, especially if you have a health condition.

Can I take Maqui if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

There is not enough safety information, so it is best to avoid Maqui supplements while pregnant or breastfeeding. Ordinary food amounts should be discussed with your doctor first.

How is Maqui different from blueberries?

Both are deep-colored berries rich in antioxidant anthocyanins, but Maqui tends to contain even higher levels, especially a pigment called delphinidin. That higher antioxidant content is why it is marketed as a superfruit.

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

Keep exploring

Products that contain Maqui

A rotating sample of real supplements in our database that list Maqui — open any to see its full ingredients and every drug interaction we check.

See all 440 products with Maqui →

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Maqui Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Your Choice:

Maqui Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

Drugs that interact with Maqui

Don’t want to scroll the list? Just ask.

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Where This Data Comes From

The kinds of drugs Maqui affects

Maqui: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Overview

How it works

Does Maqui work?

Safety & precautions

Side effects

Dosing

Maqui & Pregnancy

Maqui & Breastfeeding

References & further reading

Brands that make products with Maqui

Supplement products with Maqui

Maqui: Common Questions

Related supplements & herbs

Products that contain Maqui

Have a question about Maqui?