Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Advanced Sugar Support Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by The Vitamin Shoppe

Advanced Sugar Support label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Advanced Sugar Support against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Advanced Sugar Support is a dietary supplement by The Vitamin Shoppe with 5 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for diabetic nerve pain (neuropathy), blood sugar support in diabetes, antioxidant support.Based on those ingredients, 1,256 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Gymnema sylvestre, Cinnamon bark extract, Banaba leaf extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Advanced Sugar Support by The Vitamin Shoppe

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Advanced Sugar Support by The Vitamin Shoppe — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Advanced Sugar Support by The Vitamin Shoppe

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 12, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 5 of its 5 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Advanced Sugar Support contains five active ingredients. Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant compound studied for its potential role in supporting blood sugar control and nerve health.

Chromium is a mineral that plays a role in how your body processes glucose and may enhance insulin function. Cinnamon bark extract comes from the cinnamon tree and has been traditionally used for metabolic support.

Gymnema sylvestre is an herb from India sometimes called the "sugar destroyer" because of its traditional use in supporting healthy glucose levels. Banaba leaf extract is derived from a tropical plant and has been studied for effects on blood sugar and blood pressure.

The product also contains inactive ingredients—dicalcium phosphate, vegetable cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silica—which serve as fillers and binders to form and stabilize the capsule.

Does it work?

Strong evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Strong

Clinical evidence supports at least one of this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: glucose metabolism and blood sugar support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes), Dyslipidemia, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertriglyceridemia, Metabolic syndrome — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Chromium is rated "Likely Effective" for Chromium deficiency (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Alpha-lipoic Acid is rated "Possibly Effective" for Diabetic neuropathy, Hyperlipidemia.
  • Also on file: Chromium is rated "Possibly Effective" for Diabetes.

Evidence for this product's effectiveness is mixed. Alpha-lipoic acid is rated possibly effective for diabetic nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy) and high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), and possibly effective for weight management.

Chromium is rated likely effective for chromium deficiency and possibly effective for type 2 diabetes, though it's rated possibly ineffective for prediabetes. For the other three ingredients—cinnamon bark extract, gymnema sylvestre, and banaba leaf extract—the evidence we hold is insufficient to rate their effectiveness for blood sugar support, weight, or related conditions.

That doesn't mean they don't work; it means larger or better-quality studies are needed to establish whether they do.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Alpha-lipoic Acid Chromium Cassia Cinnamon Gymnema Banaba

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 5 of the 5 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 5 of 5.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 5 of 5.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Alpha-lipoic acid is generally well tolerated but can lower blood sugar and should be used under medical guidance. Most common side effects taken by mouth include headache, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting.

Rare cases of a rash or an immune condition affecting insulin (insulin autoimmune syndrome) have been reported. During pregnancy, there isn't enough reliable safety information, so it's best to avoid it.

The same applies while breastfeeding. Chromium is usually well tolerated at typical supplement doses, though high or long-term doses may carry risks.

Common side effects include stomach upset, headaches, insomnia, and mood changes. Small amounts from a balanced diet or prenatal vitamin are considered acceptable, but extra supplement doses during pregnancy should be avoided unless your doctor recommends it.

Cinnamon bark extract is generally safe in food amounts but supplement doses high in coumarin (a compound in cassia cinnamon) may harm the liver over time; avoid high-dose amounts during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Gymnema sylvestre is generally well tolerated short-term but can lower blood sugar and product quality varies; it lacks enough safety data for pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Banaba leaf extract appears well tolerated in short studies, but long-term safety isn't well established, and it should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to insufficient safety data.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Alpha-lipoic Acid Chromium Cassia Cinnamon Gymnema Banaba

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 5 of the 5 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Alpha-lipoic Acid, Gymnema, Chromium, Cassia Cinnamon, Banaba.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; cancer treatments; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 1,257 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check your exact medications with the tool on this page, but watch out for these types especially: antidiabetes drugs and insulin (Moderate severity across multiple ingredients—risk of low blood sugar), blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs (Moderate, from alpha-lipoic acid—increased bleeding risk), thyroid hormone replacement like levothyroxine/Synthroid (Moderate, from alpha-lipoic acid and chromium), chemotherapy drugs including alkylating agents and antitumor antibiotics (Moderate, from alpha-lipoic acid), antihypertensive (blood pressure) drugs (Moderate, from banaba leaf extract), and liver-damaging drugs (Moderate, from cinnamon bark extract). Additionally, drugs your liver metabolizes through CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 enzymes may be affected by gymnema sylvestre (Moderate to Minor severity).

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with clinical evidence supporting its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Advanced Sugar Support is designed for people interested in blood sugar management support, but it's not for everyone. If you take diabetes medication, blood thinners, thyroid hormone, or blood pressure medication, talk with your pharmacist before starting—several ingredients in this product could change how those drugs work.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid it. If you decide it's right for you, your pharmacist can help you time it properly with your other medications.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 5 of 5 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Aug 26, 2014.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Advanced Sugar Support, straight from the product label.

Brand The Vitamin Shoppe
Barcode (UPC) 766536014644
Net contents 60 Veggie Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 26, 2014
DSLD ID 35098
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Advanced Sugar Support by The Vitamin Shoppe, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Veggie Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
766536014644
IngredientAmount% DV
Alpha Lipoic Acid150 mg--
Chromium200 mcg170%
Cinnamon bark extract125 mg--
Gymnema sylvestre200 mg--
Banaba leaf extract24 mg--

Other ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Vegetable Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silica

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

specialty

clinically studied ingredients glucose metabolism antioxidant

{veggie capsule} actual size

Visit www.vitaminshoppe.com or call 1-800-223-1216 for more information and to reorder.

FDA Statement of Identity

dietary supplement

Formulation

gluten free dairy free soy free nut free

Does not contain: Yeast, Corn, Wheat, Gluten, Sugar, Salt, Soy, Dairy, Citrus, Fish, Preservatives, Artificial Colors or Flavors.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

DIRECTIONS: As a dietary supplement, take one (1) veggie capsule twice daily, preferably with meals.

Precautions

WARNING: Consult your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medication or have any medical conditions.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

TAMPER EVIDENT Do not use if outer seal is broken or missing.

Storage

STORE IN A COOL, DRY PLACE.

Brand IP Statement(s)

ChromeMate(R) is a registered trademark of Interhealth Nutritionals, Inc. and is protected by U.S. Patents #4,923,855; #4,954,492; #5,194,615. Cinnulin PF(R) is a registered trademark of Integrity Nutraceuticals International.

General

Item No. VS-1464 1777028 CO 3

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Advanced Sugar Support by The Vitamin Shoppe label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Advanced Sugar Support label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Advanced Sugar Support by The Vitamin Shoppe

These are the 5 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Veggie Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Interacts with
263 drugs
150 mg per serving

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant made naturally by the body and found in small amounts in foods. It is most studied for diabetic nerve pain,...

Alpha Lipoic Acid monograph & interactions

Chromium

Interacts with
178 drugs
200 mcg per serving Form: Chromium Polynicotinate

Chromium is an essential trace mineral involved in how the body handles sugar and fat. Some studies suggest it may modestly help blood sugar control i...

Chromium monograph & interactions

Cinnamon bark extract

Interacts with
442 drugs
125 mg per serving

Cassia cinnamon is the common, inexpensive cinnamon used in cooking, and it is also taken as a supplement, most often for blood sugar support. The evi...

Cinnamon bark extract monograph & interactions

Gymnema sylvestre

Interacts with
851 drugs
200 mg per serving

Gymnema is an Ayurvedic herb best known for possibly helping lower blood sugar and reducing the taste of sweetness on the tongue. Some early human stu...

Gymnema sylvestre monograph & interactions

Banaba leaf extract

Interacts with
299 drugs
24 mg per serving Form: Corosolic Acid

Banaba is a leaf extract most often used to help support healthy blood sugar, and small early studies suggest its active compound corosolic acid may m...

Banaba leaf extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Vegetable Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Advanced Sugar Support by The Vitamin Shoppe Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Advanced Sugar Support?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
1,256Drugs
866 Moderate 390 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Gymnema sylvestre 851
Cinnamon bark extract 442
Banaba leaf extract 299
Alpha Lipoic Acid 263
Chromium 178

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Advanced Sugar Support interact with 1,256 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

5 of the 5 ingredients in Advanced Sugar Support interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Gymnema sylvestre Cinnamon bark extract Banaba leaf extract Alpha Lipoic Acid Chromium

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Advanced Sugar Support with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Gymnema sylvestre6 drug types · 851 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking gymnema with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Gymnema reduces blood glucose levels in some human and animal research. In human studies, it has been shown to enhance the blood glucose lowering effects of hypoglycemic drugs. However, other research in adults with prediabetes or metabolic syndrome suggests that gymnema does not reduce fasting levels of blood glucose. Until more is known, monitor blood glucose levels closely.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, gymnema might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
Animal and in vitro research shows that gymnema can inhibit the CYP1A2 enzyme. In one animal study, oral administration of gymnema for 7 days increased the plasma concentrations of phenacetin, a CYP1A2 substrate, by about 1.4-fold and reduced the clearance of phenacetin by about 29%.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, gymnema might increase or decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
Animal research shows that gymnema can induce the CYP2C9 enzyme. In one animal study, gymnema caused a 2.4-fold increase in the clearance of tolbutamide, a CYP2C9 substrate, in rats. In vitro research also shows that gymnema can inhibit CYP2C9.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Phenacetin

Theoretically, taking gymnema with phenacetin might increase the levels of phenacetin.
Animal research shows that gymnema, administered orally for 7 days, decreases the clearance of phenacetin in a dose-dependent manner by about 21% to 29% and increases plasma levels about 1.3- to 1.4-fold when compared to control.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Tolbutamide (Orinase)

Theoretically, taking gymnema with tolbutamide might the decrease levels of tolbutamide.
Animal research shows that gymnema, administered orally for 7 days, increases the clearance of tolbutamide by 2.4-fold when compared to control.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, gymnema might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
One in vitro study using rat liver microsomes shows that gymnema can modestly inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme. However, other in vitro research using human liver microsomes shows that gymnema does not affect CYP3A4 activity. Animal research also shows that gymnema does not alter the function of CYP3A4. In one study in rats, oral administration of gymnema for 7 days did not alter the clearance of amlodipine, a CYP3A4 substrate.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Gymnema sylvestre full monograph & interactions

Cinnamon bark extract2 drug types · 442 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, cassia cinnamon may have additive effects with antidiabetes drugs.
Cassia cinnamon may lower blood glucose levels, and have additive effects in patients treated with antidiabetic agents. Dose adjustments to diabetes medications might be necessary.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Hepatotoxic Drugs

Theoretically, large doses of cassia cinnamon might cause additive effects when used with hepatotoxic drugs.
There is some concern that ingesting large amounts of cassia cinnamon for an extended duration might cause hepatotoxicity in some people. Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, which can cause hepatotoxicity in animal models. In humans, very high doses of coumarin from 50-7000 mg/day can result in hepatotoxicity that resolves when coumarin use is discontinued. Lower amounts might also cause liver problems in sensitive people, such as those with liver disease or those taking potentially hepatotoxic agents.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cinnamon bark extract full monograph & interactions

Banaba leaf extract3 drug types · 299 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of banaba and hypoglycemic drugs might have additive effects.
Human and animal research suggests that banaba can lower blood glucose levels.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of banaba and antihypertensive drugs might cause additive effects.
Human and animal research suggests that banaba can lower blood pressure.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide Substrates (Oatp)

Theoretically, concomitant use of banaba with substrates of OATP might reduce the bioavailability of the OATP substrate.
In vitro research shows that banaba inhibits OATP, particularly OATP2B1. OATPs are expressed in the small intestine and liver and are responsible for the absorption of drugs and other compounds.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Banaba leaf extract full monograph & interactions

Alpha Lipoic Acid5 drug types · 263 drugs

Alkylating Agents

Theoretically, the antioxidant effects of alpha-lipoic acid might alter the effectiveness of alkylating agents.
The use of antioxidants like alpha-lipoic acid during chemotherapy is controversial. There are concerns that antioxidants could reduce the activity of chemotherapy drugs that generate free radicals. However, some researchers theorize that antioxidants might make chemotherapy more effective by reducing oxidative stress that might interfere with apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells. More evidence is needed to determine what effect, if any, antioxidants such as alpha-lipoic acid have on chemotherapy. Advise patients to consult their oncologist before using alpha-lipoic acid.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, alpha-lipoic acid may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro, alpha-lipoic acid inhibits platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antitumor Antibiotics

Theoretically, the antioxidant effects of alpha-lipoic acid might alter the effectiveness of antitumor antibiotics.
The use of antioxidants like alpha-lipoic acid during chemotherapy is controversial. There are concerns that antioxidants could reduce the activity of antitumor antibiotic drugs, which work by generating free radicals. However, some researchers theorize that antioxidants might make chemotherapy more effective by reducing oxidative stress that might interfere with apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells. More evidence is needed to determine what effect, if any, antioxidants such as alpha-lipoic acid have on chemotherapy involving antitumor antibiotics. Advise patients to consult their oncologist before using alpha-lipoic acid.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Thyroid Hormone

Theoretically, alpha-lipoic acid might decrease the effects of thyroid hormone drugs.
Animal research suggests that co-administration of thyroxine with alpha-lipoic acid reduces conversion into the active T3 form.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking alpha-lipoic acid with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Although some small clinical studies have suggested that alpha-lipoic acid can lower blood glucose levels, larger clinical studies in patients with diabetes have shown no clinically meaningful effect. Additionally, co-administration of single doses of alpha-lipoic acid and glyburide or acarbose did not cause detectable drug interactions in healthy volunteers.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Alpha Lipoic Acid full monograph & interactions

Chromium5 drug types · 178 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Some research shows that taking chromium might lower blood glucose levels, especially in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence A
Insulin

Theoretically, concomitant use of chromium and insulin might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
In clinical research, chromium has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity,

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Others)

Chromium might bind levothyroxine in the intestinal tract and decrease levothyroxine absorption.
Clinical research in healthy volunteers shows that taking chromium picolinate 1000 mcg with levothyroxine 1 mg decreases serum levels of levothyroxine by 17% when compared to taking levothyroxine alone. Advise patients to take levothyroxine at least 30 minutes before or 3-4 hours after taking chromium.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Aspirin

Theoretically, aspirin might increase chromium absorption.
Animal research suggests that aspirin may increase chromium absorption and chromium levels in the blood.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (Nsaids)

NSAIDs might increase chromium levels in the body.
Drugs that are prostaglandin inhibitors, such as NSAIDs, seem to increase chromium absorption and retention.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Chromium full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Advanced Sugar Support, from the product label.

The Vitamin Shoppe

See all The Vitamin Shoppe products
Name
Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.
City
Secaucus
State
NJ
ZipCode
07094
Phone Number
1-800-223-1216
Web Address
www.vitaminshoppe.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Advanced Sugar Support by The Vitamin Shoppe: Common Questions

Does Advanced Sugar Support by The Vitamin Shoppe interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Advanced Sugar Support has a known interaction with 1,256 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Advanced Sugar Support contains 5 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this if I'm on diabetes medication?
Not without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first. All five ingredients in this product may lower blood sugar, and combining them with insulin or diabetes pills could cause your blood sugar to drop too low (hypoglycemia). Your doctor might need to adjust your medication dose if you do take this.
What side effects should I watch for?
The most common ones from alpha-lipoic acid are headache, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. Chromium may cause stomach upset, headaches, or mood changes. Cinnamon, gymnema, and banaba can all cause dizziness, headache, or weakness. If you develop a rash or signs of liver problems (yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, unusual fatigue), stop and contact your pharmacist.
Is it safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No. Alpha-lipoic acid, gymnema sylvestre, and banaba leaf extract all lack enough safety data and should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Chromium in food or prenatal amounts is considered acceptable, but extra supplement doses should not be taken unless your doctor says so. Cinnamon bark extract in food amounts is likely safe, but supplement doses should be avoided. Talk with your doctor before taking any supplement if you're pregnant or nursing.
Does this product actually work for blood sugar?
Alpha-lipoic acid has possibly effective evidence for diabetic nerve damage and high cholesterol. Chromium is possibly effective for type 2 diabetes but not for prediabetes. For cinnamon, gymnema, and banaba, the evidence we have is insufficient to rate—we can't say whether they work based on current data.
Will this interfere with my thyroid medication?
Yes, possibly. Alpha-lipoic acid and chromium may both reduce how well your thyroid hormone (levothyroxine/Synthroid) works. If you take thyroid medication, talk with your pharmacist before adding this product.
What are the inactive ingredients?
The capsule contains dicalcium phosphate, vegetable cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silica. These are fillers and binders that help hold the product together. If you have allergies to any of these, let your pharmacist know.

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

Not sure if Advanced Sugar Support is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Advanced Sugar Support label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Advanced Sugar Support’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Alpha-lipoic Acid

Interacts with 263 drugs

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant made naturally by the body and found in small amounts in foods. It is most studied for diabetic nerve pain, where some evidence suggests it may help...

Read the full Alpha-lipoic Acid monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Chromium

Interacts with 178 drugs

Chromium is an essential trace mineral involved in how the body handles sugar and fat. Some studies suggest it may modestly help blood sugar control in certain people with type 2 diabetes, b...

Read the full Chromium monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Cassia Cinnamon

Interacts with 442 drugs

Cassia cinnamon is the common, inexpensive cinnamon used in cooking, and it is also taken as a supplement, most often for blood sugar support. The evidence for its health benefits is mixed a...

Read the full Cassia Cinnamon monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Gymnema

Interacts with 851 drugs

Gymnema is an Ayurvedic herb best known for possibly helping lower blood sugar and reducing the taste of sweetness on the tongue. Some early human studies are encouraging for blood sugar sup...

Read the full Gymnema monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Banaba

Interacts with 299 drugs

Banaba is a leaf extract most often used to help support healthy blood sugar, and small early studies suggest its active compound corosolic acid may modestly lower glucose. The overall evide...

Read the full Banaba monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Advanced Sugar Support's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

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

The 140 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Alpha-lipoic Acid 48 references
  1. Labriola D, Livingston R. Possible interactions between dietary antioxidants and chemotherapy. Oncology 1999;13:1003-8.
  2. Anon. Alpha-lipoic acid. Altern Med Rev 1998;3:308-10.
  3. Konrad T, Vicini P, Kusterer K, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid treatment decreases serum lactate and pyruvate concentrations and improves glucose effectiveness in lean and obese patients with Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 1999;22:280-7. PubMed
  4. Ziegler D, Hanefeld M, Ruhnau KJ, et al. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid: A 3-week, multicentre randomized controlled trial (ALADIN Study). Diabetologia 1995;38:1425-33.
  5. Gleiter CH, Schreeb KH, Freudenthaler S, et al. Lack of interaction between thioctic acid, glibenclamide and acarbose. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1999;48:819-25. PubMed
  6. Jacob S, Henriksen EJ, Tritschler HJ, et al. Improvement of insulin-stimulated glucose-disposal in type 2 diabetes after repeated parenteral administration of thioctic acid. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabet 1996;104:284-8. PubMed
  7. Jacob S, Henriksen EJ, Schiemann AL, et al. Enhancement of glucose disposal in patients with type 2 diabetes by alpha-lipoic acid. Arzneimittelforschung 1995;45:872-4.
  8. Jacob S, Ruus P, Hermann R, et al. Oral administration of RAC-alpha-lipoic acid modulates insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled, pilot trial. Free Rad Biol Med 1999;27:309-14.
  9. Segermann J, Hotze A, Ulrich H, Rao GS. Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on the peripheral conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine and on serum lipid-, protein- and glucose levels. Arzneimittelforschung 1991;41:1294-8.
  10. Beitner H. Randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind study on the clinical efficacy of a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid related to photoaging of facial skin. Br J Dermatol 2003;149:841-9.
  11. Ziegler D, Nowak H, Kempler P, et al. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid: A meta-analysis. Diabet Med 2004;21:114-21.
  12. Prasad KN. Rationale for using high-dose multiple dietary antioxidants as an adjunct to radiation therapy and chemotherapy. J Nutr 2004;134:3182S-3S. PubMed
  13. Conklin KA. Cancer chemotherapy and antioxidants. J Nutr 2004;134:3201S-3204S. PubMed
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Cassia Cinnamon 20 references
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Gymnema 12 references
  1. Shanmugasundaram ER, Rajeswari G, Baskaran K, et al. Use of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in the control of blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Ethnopharmacol 1990;30:281-94. PubMed
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Banaba 7 references
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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.

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