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Dietary supplement

Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Life Extension

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

Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Life Extension with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for high cholesterol, indigestion and heartburn, constipation and bloating.Based on those ingredients, 363 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Artichoke Extract Blend. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg by Life Extension

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

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 4 active ingredients.
  • “Artichoke Extract Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (500 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.
  • “Artichoke standardized extract” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label doesn't break down how much of each component you get.

This product contains 4 ingredients total: artichoke powder and an artichoke extract blend that's standardized for certain compounds, plus cynarin and chlorogenic acid. These are all from the artichoke plant.

The extract is designed to concentrate the active compounds that give artichoke its effects. The other 5 items listed are inactive ingredients—things like vegetable cellulose and silica that hold the capsule together and add bulk.

Does it work?

Moderate 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

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded Artichoke's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Artichoke for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Dyspepsia — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Hyperlipidemia — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

Artichoke leaf extract is possibly effective for high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) and indigestion (dyspepsia) based on the evidence we have. For nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the evidence isn't established enough to rate it one way or the other.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Artichoke

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.

Artichoke extract is generally well tolerated when taken short-term, though quality and dosing vary among products. The most common side effects are mild—abdominal pain, diarrhea, gas, hunger, and nausea.

Rarely, people sensitive to artichoke or its inulin component can have a serious allergic reaction including anaphylaxis. People allergic to plants in the ragweed family (chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies) are at higher risk because artichoke is related to them.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: there isn't enough safety information, so the data advises against use in supplement form during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether artichoke is right for you if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Artichoke

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 — Artichoke.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 363 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.

Before taking this product, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on antihypertensive drugs (blood pressure medications), antidiabetes drugs, or any drugs metabolized by your liver's CYP2C19 or CYP2B6 enzymes—all have Moderate-severity interactions documented with artichoke.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Artichoke leaf extract may help with cholesterol or indigestion, but if you take blood pressure medication, diabetes medication, or drugs your liver breaks down through specific pathways, you need to check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting it. The main concern is it can lower blood pressure and blood sugar on its own, and it may change how certain medications work.

It's generally well tolerated in the short term, and allergic reactions are rare but possible if you're sensitive to ragweed-family plants.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 4 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 22, 2016.

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 Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Life Extension
Barcode (UPC) 737870919186
Net contents 180 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 22, 2016
DSLD ID 64709
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
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 Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg by Life Extension, 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 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
737870919186
IngredientAmount% DV
Artichoke powder0 NP--
Artichoke Extract Blend500 mg--
Artichoke standardized extract0 NP--
Cynarin18.75 mg--
Chlorogenic Acid0 NP--
other Caffeic Acid derivatives0 NP--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose, Maltodextrin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silica, Stearic Acid

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.
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.

General Statements

Scan for product info

The botanical extract in Artichoke Leaf Extract has been concentrated and standardized to ensure the highest quality, consistency, and biological activity.

Digestive health support

To report a serious adverse event or obtain product information, contact 1-866-280-2852.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Read the entire label and follow the directions carefully prior to use. Directions: Take one (1) capsule 1-3 times a day with meals, or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner.

Precautions

Caution: If you have gallstones or a biliary tract obstruction, do not use this product.

Warnings: - Keep out of reach of children.

- Do not exceed recommended dose. - Do not purchase if outer seal is broken or damaged.

- When using nutritional supplements, please consult with your physician if you are undergoing treatment for a medical condition or if you are pregnant or lactating.

Storage

Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formulation

Non-GMO

General

Q00919I

See for yourself

Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg by Life Extension label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg by Life Extension

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

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

Artichoke Extract Blend

Interacts with
363 drugs
500 mg per serving

Artichoke leaf extract is a generally well-tolerated supplement that may have a mild cholesterol-lowering effect and is often used for indigestion, th...

Artichoke Extract Blend monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose, Maltodextrin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silica, Stearic Acid. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg by Life Extension Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg?

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
363Drugs
363 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg 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.

Artichoke Extract Blend4 drug types · 363 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, artichoke leaf extract may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
A meta-analysis of small clinical studies shows that taking artichoke leaf extract for 8-12 weeks can modestly reduce fasting plasma glucose when compared with placebo.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, artichoke leaf extract may increase the risk of hypotension when taken with antihypertensive drugs.
A meta-analysis of small clinical studies in patients with hypertension shows that taking artichoke can reduce systolic blood pressure by around 3 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by around 2 mmHg when compared with placebo.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2B6 (Cyp2B6) Substrates

Theoretically, artichoke might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2B6.
In vitro research shows that artichoke leaf extract inhibits CYP2B6 activity. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C19 (Cyp2C19) Substrates

Theoretically, artichoke might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.
In vitro research shows that artichoke leaf extract inhibits CYP2C19 activity. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg, from the product label.

Life Extension

See all Life Extension products
Name
Quality Supplements and Vitamins, Inc.
City
Ft. Lauderdale
State
FL
ZipCode
33309
Phone Number
1-866-280-2852
Web Address
LifeExtension.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg by Life Extension: Common Questions

Does Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg by Life Extension interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg has a known interaction with 363 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg 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.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data advises against it. There isn't enough information to know it's safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it's best avoided in supplement form. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your specific situation.
What side effects might I get?
Most common are mild: stomach pain, diarrhea, gas, hunger, and nausea. Rarely, people sensitive to artichoke can have a serious allergic reaction. If you're allergic to ragweed or related plants like daisies and marigolds, you're at higher risk.
Does this actually work for high cholesterol or digestion?
Yes—artichoke leaf extract is possibly effective for both high cholesterol and indigestion based on the evidence we have. It's not a guarantee for everyone, but studies support it may help with both.
What exactly is in here?
The main active ingredient is artichoke powder and a standardized artichoke extract, plus cynarin and chlorogenic acid—compounds from the artichoke plant. The rest are inactive ingredients like cellulose that hold the capsule together.
Is it safe to take with my blood pressure or diabetes medication?
That depends on which drug you're on. Artichoke can lower blood pressure and blood sugar on its own, so it may amplify what your medication does. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting it.

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

Not sure if Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg is safe with your meds?

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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.

Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Artichoke Leaf Extract 500 mg'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 16 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.

Artichoke 16 references
  1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  2. Walker AF, Middleton RW, Petrowicz O. Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a post-marketing surveillance study. Phytother Res 2001;15:58-61. PubMed
  3. Pittler MH, White AR, Stevinson C, Ernst E. Effectiveness of artichoke extract in preventing alcohol-induced hangovers: a randomized controlled trial. CMAJ 2003;169:1269-73.
  4. Romano, C., Ferrara, A., and Falagiani, P. A case of allergy to globe artichoke and other clinical cases of rare food allergy. J Investig.Allergol.Clin Immunol. 2000;10(2):102-104.
  5. Miralles, J. C., Garcia-Sells, J., Bartolome, B., and Negro, J. M. Occupational rhinitis and bronchial asthma due to artichoke (Cynara scolymus). Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2003;91(1):92-95. PubMed
  6. Franck, P., Moneret-Vautrin, D. A., Morisset, M., Kanny, G., Megret-Gabeaux, M. L., and Olivier, J. L. Anaphylactic reaction to inulin: first identification of specific IgEs to an inulin protein compound. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2005;136(2):155-158. PubMed
  7. Meding, B. Allergic contact dermatitis from artichoke, Cynara scolymus. Contact Dermatitis 1983;9(4):314.
  8. Quirce, S., Tabar, A. I., Olaguibel, J. M., and Cuevas, M. Occupational contact urticaria syndrome caused by globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus). J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1996;97(2):710-711. PubMed
  9. Held C. Von der 1. Deutsche-Ungarischen Phytopharmakon-Konferenz, Budapest, 20. November 1991. Z Klin Med 1992;47:92-93.
  10. Barrat E, Zaïr Y, Ogier N, et al. A combined natural supplement lowers LDL cholesterol in subjects with moderate untreated hypercholesterolemia: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2013;64(7):882-9. PubMed
  11. Huber R, Müller M, Naumann J, Schenk T, Lüdtke R. Artichoke leave extract for chronic hepatitis C - a pilot study. Phytomedicine. 2009 Sep;16(9):801-4. PubMed
  12. Caputo F, Barranco R, Bonsignore A, Fraternali Orcioni G, Ventura F. A rare case of fatal bowel obstruction secondary to a colonic bezoar. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2018;39(1):38-40. PubMed
  13. Elsebai MF, Abass K, Hakkola J, Atawia AR, Farag MA. The wild Egyptian artichoke as a promising functional food for the treatment of hepatitis C virus as revealed via UPLC-MS and clinical trials. Food Funct. 2016;7(7):3006-16. PubMed
  14. Moradi M, Sohrabi G, Golbidi M, et al. Effects of artichoke on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med 2021;57:102668. PubMed
  15. Jalili C, Moradi S, Babaei A, et al. Effects of Cynara scolymus L. on glycemic indices: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Complement Ther Med 2020;52:102496. PubMed
  16. Gallo R, Oddenino G, Trave I, Gasparini G, Guadagno A, Parodi A. Contact sensitivity to sesquiterpene lactone mix and artichoke in a patient with severe recurrent dermatitis: A puzzling case. Contact Dermatitis 2023;88(2):156-158. PubMed

See these in context on the Artichoke 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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