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Dietary supplement

Annatto Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbal Terra

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Annatto is a dietary supplement by Herbal Terra with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for natural food and cosmetic coloring, source of antioxidants, antimicrobial/anti-infective (traditional use).Based on those ingredients, 86 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Annatto Seed Extract, Dry. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Annatto by Herbal Terra

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

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 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: Annatto Seed Extract, Dry. Annatto is a natural colorant derived from the seeds of the achiote tree, traditionally used in cooking and food manufacturing.

The liquid form includes alcohol, water, and glycerin as inactive ingredients to deliver the extract.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Annatto product and its label doesn't state a use — see Annatto's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence for annatto's effectiveness isn't established in the data we hold. The supplement has been studied for athletic performance, benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), exercise-induced muscle soreness, and halitosis (bad breath), but the data shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate it for any of these uses.

If you're considering annatto for a specific health goal, talk with your pharmacist about what the current science actually supports.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Annatto

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 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Annatto is generally recognized as safe when used in food as a coloring agent, but supplement use — especially concentrated doses — is not well studied. The main side effects on record are rare.

Constipation has been reported occasionally with annatto powder taken by mouth. Allergic reactions, though uncommon, are the bigger concern: cases of hives, swelling of the lips and throat, severe drops in blood pressure, and anaphylaxis have been documented, particularly after exposure to annatto food coloring in cereals, cheese, ice cream, and cosmetics.

One case report linked annatto food coloring to worsening irritable bowel syndrome symptoms including diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. If you have a history of allergies — especially to annatto or any food or cosmetic containing it — avoid this supplement.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Annatto

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?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Annatto.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 86 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.

If you take antidiabetes drugs (insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas, or others), check your blood glucose carefully with this product — annatto may lower it further or interfere with how your medication works. No other medication interactions are documented in our data for the ingredients we could check.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Annatto is a natural extract with a long food history, but its use as a concentrated supplement is not well studied. If you take diabetes medication, monitor your blood sugar closely.

If you've had allergic reactions to annatto in foods or cosmetics, skip this product. Talk with your pharmacist before starting, especially if you have diabetes or a history of allergies.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Nov 22, 2024.

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 Annatto, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbal Terra
Barcode (UPC) 7386004759964
Net contents 2 Fluid Ounce(s); 60 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 22, 2024
DSLD ID 324752
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten 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 Annatto by Herbal Terra, 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 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
7386004759964
IngredientAmount% DV
Annatto Seed Extract, Dry983 mg--

Other ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Glycerin

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Shake well before use. Adults take up to 30 drops (1 mL, one full squeeze of the dropper bulb) in 3-4 fl. oz. of juice or water up to 4 times a day.

Precautions

We recommend to seek expert medical advice before taking. May have contraindications and cause adverse reaction.

Consult a physician before giving to children under 18, before using during pregnancy, if nursing, or if you are on any medications.

Consult a physician before giving to children under 18, before using during pregnancy, if nursing, or if you are on any medications. Keep out of the reach of children!

Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredients.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry, dark place.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This product has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Formulation

cGMP Made in compliance with cGMP 21 CFR 111 in an FDA registered and inspected facility.

Sugar free

Expertly extracted 100% natural Premium product

Organic alcohol

No artificial ingredients, color additives, fillers or binders.

Natural Gluten free

Formula

Bixa orellana

Organic alcohol

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Made in USA

See for yourself

Annatto by Herbal Terra label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Annatto by Herbal Terra

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Annatto Seed Extract, Dry

Interacts with
86 drugs
983 mg per serving

Annatto is a plant-based coloring made from the seeds of the achiote tree and is widely used as a safe food dye. While it has a long history in tradit...

Annatto Seed Extract, Dry monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Glycerin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Annatto by Herbal Terra Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Annatto?

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
86Drugs
86 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

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

Annatto Seed Extract, Dry1 drug type · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Animal studies suggest that certain annatto extracts may have hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic effects. Theoretically, taking annatto with antidiabetes drugs could reduce the therapeutic effects of these drugs or increase the risk for additive hypoglycemia. Monitor blood glucose levels closely.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Annatto, from the product label.

Herbal Terra

See all Herbal Terra products
Name
Herbal Terra LLC
Phone Number
+18083857868
Web Address
herbalterra.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Annatto by Herbal Terra: Common Questions

Does Annatto by Herbal Terra interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Annatto has a known interaction with 86 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Annatto contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism 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.
Is annatto safe if I have diabetes?
Animal studies suggest annatto extracts may affect blood sugar unpredictably — either lowering it or raising it. If you take diabetes medication, the interaction could reduce your drug's effectiveness or cause your blood sugar to drop too far. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using this product if you have diabetes.
Can annatto trigger allergies?
Yes. Though allergic reactions to annatto are rare, they have been documented — ranging from hives and facial swelling to severe drops in blood pressure and anaphylaxis. Most reactions were tied to annatto food coloring in cereals, cheese, ice cream, and cosmetics. If you've ever had an allergic reaction to annatto or foods/products containing it, avoid this supplement.
What side effects does annatto have?
Constipation has been reported rarely. Annatto food coloring has been linked to worsening irritable bowel syndrome in at least one case — a woman's diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain improved when she eliminated annatto products and returned when she reintroduced them. Allergic reactions, though uncommon, are the main safety concern.
Does annatto work for athletic performance or muscle soreness?
The evidence isn't established in the data we hold. Annatto has been studied for athletic performance and exercise-induced muscle soreness, but there's insufficient reliable evidence to say whether it actually works for either use.
Is a liquid annatto supplement safer than food amounts?
Not necessarily. Annatto in food amounts is well tolerated, but concentrated supplement doses — like this liquid — are not well studied. The product label says to use caution and ask your doctor before taking concentrated doses. Food amounts are a different safety story than supplements.

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

Not sure if Annatto is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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.

Annatto label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Annatto'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 15 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.

Annatto 15 references
  1. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  2. Fernandes, A. C., Almeida, C. A., Albano, F., Laranja, G. A., Felzenszwalb, I., Lage, C. L., de Sa, C. C., Moura, A. S., and Kovary, K. Norbixin ingestion did not induce any detectable DNA breakage in liver and kidney but caused a considerable impairment
  3. Russell, K. R., Morrison, E. Y., and Ragoobirsingh, D. The effect of annatto on insulin binding properties in the dog. Phytother Res 2005;19(5):433-436. PubMed
  4. Morrison, E. Y., Thompson, H., Pascoe, K., West, M., and Fletcher, C. Extraction of an hyperglycaemic principle from the annatto (Bixa orellana), a medicinal plant in the West Indies. Trop.Geogr.Med 1991;43(1-2):184-188.
  5. Zegarra, L., Vaisberg, A., Loza, C., Aguirre, R. L., Campos, M., Fernandez, I., Talla, O., and Villegas, L. Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study of Bixa orellana in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms associated to benign prostatic hyp
  6. Russell, K. R., Omoruyi, F. O., Pascoe, K. O., and Morrison, E. Y. Hypoglycaemic activity of Bixa orellana extract in the dog. Methods Find.Exp.Clin.Pharmacol. 2008;30(4):301-305.
  7. Ebo, D. G., Ingelbrecht, S., Bridts, C. H., and Stevens, W. J. Allergy for cheese: evidence for an IgE-mediated reaction from the natural dye annatto. Allergy 2009;64(10):1558-1560. PubMed
  8. Nish, W. A., Whisman, B. A., Goetz, D. W., and Ramirez, D. A. Anaphylaxis to annatto dye: a case report. Ann.Allergy 1991;66(2):129-131.
  9. Stein HL. Annatto and IBS. J Clin Gastroenterol 2009;43(10):1014-5.
  10. Raddatz-Mota D, Pérez-Flores LJ, Carrari F, et al. Achiote (Bixa orellana L.): a natural source of pigment and vitamin E. J Food Sci Technol 2017;54(6):1729-1741. PubMed
  11. Koc E, Arca E, Surucu B, Kurumlu Z. An open, randomized, controlled, comparative study of the combined effect of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide and onion extract gel and intralesional triamcinolone acetonide alone in the treatment of hypertrophic s
  12. Gonçalves MLL, da Mota ACC, Deana AM, et al. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with Bixa orellana extract and blue LED in the reduction of halitosis-A randomized, controlled clinical trial. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2020 Jun;30:101751. PubMed
  13. Dominguez-Balmaseda D, Diez-Vega I, Larrosa M, et al. Effect of a blend of Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Bixa orellana L. herbal supplement on the recovery of delayed-onset muscle soreness induced by unaccustomed eccentric resistance training: A randomiz
  14. González-Gross M, Quesada-González C, Rueda J, et al. Analysis of effectiveness of a supplement combining Harpagophytum procumbens, Zingiber officinale and Bixa orellana in healthy recreational runners with self-reported knee pain: a pilot, randomized, tr
  15. Sadowska B, Sztormowska M, Chelminska M. Annatto hypersensitivity after oral ingestion confirmed by placebo-controlled oral challenge. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2021 Oct;127(4):510-511. PubMed

See these in context on the Annatto monograph →

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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