Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Berberine HCL+ Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Healths Harmony

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

First and foremost: checking Berberine HCL+ 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: Major

Berberine HCL+ is a dietary supplement by Healths Harmony with 3 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for blood sugar support, type 2 diabetes, weight management.Based on those ingredients, 1,242 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Berberine HCl, Banaba leaf extract, Bitter Melon fruit 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 Berberine HCL+ by Healths Harmony

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Berberine HCL+ by Healths Harmony — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Berberine HCL+ by Healths Harmony

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 3 of its 3 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains three active ingredients. Berberine HCl is an alkaloid compound from the barberry plant that research suggests can support healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Banaba leaf extract is derived from a tropical plant and may help with glucose control. Bitter melon fruit extract comes from a gourd-like vegetable used traditionally in Asian cuisine; clinical evidence for its effectiveness is limited.

The three active ingredients are delivered in a capsule using inactive ingredients — hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, vegetable magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide — which are fillers and binding agents.

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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Blood sugar control and metabolic health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes), Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, Metabolic syndrome, Obesity — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Berberine is rated "Possibly Effective" for Diabetes (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Berberine is rated "Possibly Effective" for Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension.
  • Also on file: Bitter Melon is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Liver disease, Diabetes, Obesity, Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes).

The evidence for this product's ingredients is mixed. Berberine is rated Possibly Effective for high cholesterol, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), Helicobacter pylori infection, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Banaba leaf extract, however, carries Insufficient Reliable Evidence to Rate for diabetes, prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome — meaning the science hasn't yet established it works for these conditions. Bitter melon fruit extract also shows Insufficient Reliable Evidence for all the conditions listed in the data we hold, including diabetes.

So while berberine has some clinical backing, the other two ingredients lack established proof of benefit.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Banaba Berberine Bitter Melon

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 3 of the 3 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 3 of 3.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 3 of 3.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Berberine is generally tolerated short-term but commonly causes digestive side effects — abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas, nausea, and vomiting. A smaller number of people report dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, and headache.

Banaba leaf extract also appears well tolerated in short studies, though long-term safety isn't established; reported side effects in one product formulation included sweating, dizziness, headache, heart palpitations, stomach upset, tremor, and weakness, though it's unclear which ingredient caused them. Bitter melon is generally tolerated as food but can cause similar digestive upset in supplement amounts — heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gas, abdominal discomfort, dizziness, fatigue, and headache occurred in about 3% to 16% of people in studies.

Rare serious effects have been reported, including low blood sugar severe enough to cause coma in children and, in one case, kidney inflammation. All three ingredients advise against use in pregnancy.

Berberine is rated Likely Unsafe — it may cross the placenta and has been linked to harm in newborns. Banaba leaf and bitter melon both have insufficient safety data in pregnancy, so they're best avoided.

For breastfeeding: berberine is Likely Unsafe because it passes into breast milk; banaba lacks reliable safety information and should be avoided; bitter melon also lacks sufficient data and is best avoided.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Banaba Berberine Bitter Melon

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 3 of the 3 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Bitter Melon, Banaba, Berberine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 1,243 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 Healths Harmony Berberine HCL+, check with your pharmacist if you take cyclosporine (Major interaction risk). Then verify any blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, blood pressure medications, diabetes drugs, sedatives or CNS depressants, and any medications your liver metabolizes — including drugs handled by CYP2D6, CYP2C9, or CYP3A4 enzymes — as well as OATP substrates and P-glycoprotein substrates.

Worst interactions are listed first.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

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

Berberine HCL+ is most relevant if you're interested in supporting cholesterol or blood sugar levels and have already confirmed with your pharmacist that you don't take cyclosporine or many other common medications. Anyone on blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, diabetes medications, or drugs metabolized by your liver should check their exact medications before starting.

Pregnant and breastfeeding people should not use this product. Talk to your pharmacist before adding it to your routine.

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

Assessment coverage: 3 of 3 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Nov 22, 2022.

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 Berberine HCL+, straight from the product label.

Brand Healths Harmony
Net contents 60 Vegetable Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 22, 2022
DSLD ID 277509
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating)
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 Berberine HCL+ by Healths Harmony, 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:
2 Vegetable Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Vegetable Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
IngredientAmount% DV
Banaba leaf extract50 mg--
Berberine HCl1000 mg--
Bitter Melon fruit extract200 mg--

Other ingredients: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide

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

Suggested use: 2 capsules taken daily preferably with meals or as directed by a healthcare professional.

Precautions

Caution: Do not exceed recommended dose.

This product is not intended for pregnant or nursing mothers or children under the age of 18.

This product is not intended for pregnant or nursing mothers or children under the age of 18.

Discontinue use if you experience diarrhea or cramping.

If you have a known medical condition or taking any prescription medication, consult a physician before using this or any dietary supplement.

This product is manufactured and packaged in a facility which may also process milk, soy, wheat, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and crustacean shellfish.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal is damaged or missing.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

General Statements

Satisfaction guarantee We offer a full refund on the purchase price of your order within 90 days of purchase. Restrictions apply. Full details: healthsharmony.com/refunds Let us help! For any questions, concerns or refunds [email protected]

Let us help! For any questions, concerns or refunds: [email protected]

Formula

Berberine HCL + with bitter melon & banaba

Formulation

Supports healthy: Cardiovascular system Glucose metabolism Immune system

Non GMO

Sourced from a GMP Facility Made In USA With Global Ingredients

Vegetarian

Non-GMO

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Sourced from a GMP Facility Made In USA With Global Ingredients

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

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

See for yourself

Berberine HCL+ by Healths Harmony label

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

Berberine HCL+ 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 Berberine HCL+ by Healths Harmony

These are the 3 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Vegetable Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 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.

Banaba leaf extract

Interacts with
299 drugs
50 mg per serving

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

Berberine HCl

Interacts with
1,160 drugs
1000 mg per serving

Berberine is a yellow plant compound that has shown promise for lowering blood sugar and cholesterol in some studies, but the quality of research vari...

Berberine HCl monograph & interactions

Bitter Melon fruit extract

Interacts with
282 drugs
200 mg per serving

Bitter melon is a tropical fruit eaten as food and used in traditional medicine, most often for blood sugar control. While some small studies hint it...

Bitter Melon fruit extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Berberine HCL+ by Healths Harmony Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Berberine HCL+?

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
1,242Drugs
1 Major 1,241 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Berberine HCl 1,160
Banaba leaf extract 299
Bitter Melon fruit extract 282

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Berberine HCL+ interact with 1,242 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

3 of the 3 ingredients in Berberine HCL+ interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Berberine HCl Banaba leaf extract Bitter Melon fruit extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Berberine HCL+ 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.

Berberine HCl15 drug types · 1,160 drugs

Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)

Berberine can increase serum levels of cyclosporine.
Berberine can reduce metabolism and increase serum levels of cyclosporine. Berberine might inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), which metabolizes cyclosporine.

Likelihood Probable Evidence A
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, berberine might increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro and in vivo research suggest that berberine can inhibit platelet aggregation. Theoretically, berberine might have additive effects when used with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs and increase the risk of bleeding.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, berberine may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Clinical research shows that berberine may lower blood glucose levels. Theoretically, berberine might have additive effects with antidiabetes drugs and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, berberine might have additive effects with antihypertensive drugs.
Animal research suggests that berberine can have hypotensive effects. Also, a clinical study suggests that taking berberine in combination with amlodipine can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure when compared with amlodipine alone.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cns Depressants

Theoretically, berberine might increase the sedative effects of CNS depressants.
Animal research suggests that berberine may have sedative effects. Theoretically, use of berberine along with CNS depressants might produce additive therapeutic and adverse effects.

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

Theoretically, berberine might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
Preliminary clinical research shows that berberine can inhibit CYP2C9. Theoretically, taking berberine with drugs metabolized by CYP2C9 might increase drug levels and increase the risk of adverse effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Theoretically, berberine might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
In vitro research and preliminary clinical evidence show that berberine can inhibit CYP2D6. Theoretically, use of berberine with drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 might increase drug levels and increase the risk of adverse effects.

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

Theoretically, berberine might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro research and preliminary clinical research show that berberine moderately inhibits CYP3A4. Theoretically, use of berberine with drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 might increase drug levels and increase the risk of adverse effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence A
Dextromethorphan (Robitussin Dm, Others)

Theoretically, berberine may increase serum levels of dextromethorphan.
Preliminary clinical research shows that berberine can inhibit cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) activity and reduce the metabolism of dextromethorphan. This may increase the effects and side effects of dextromethorphan.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Losartan (Cozaar)

Berberine might reduce the therapeutic effects of losartan by decreasing its conversion to its active form.
Preliminary clinical research suggests that berberine can inhibit cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) activity and reduce metabolism of losartan.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Metformin (Glucophage)

Theoretically, berberine might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of metformin.
In vitro and animal studies show that berberine can increase the systemic exposure and half-life of metformin, potentially increasing metformin's effects and side effects. This interaction seems to be most apparent when berberine is administered 2 hours prior to metformin. Taking berberine and metformin at the same time does not appear to increase systemic exposure to metformin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Midazolam (Versed)

Berberine can reduce metabolism of midazolam, which might increase the risk of severe adverse effects.
Preliminary clinical research shows that berberine can inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) activity and reduce metabolism of midazolam.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Berberine might increase the sedative effect of pentobarbital.
Evidence from animal research shows that berberine can prolong pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. Theoretically, combining berberine and pentobarbital might increase the sedative effects of pentobarbital.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Tacrolimus (Prograf)

Berberine has been associated with increased blood levels of tacrolimus.
In a 16-year-old patient with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who was being treated with tacrolimus 6.5 mg twice daily, intake of berberine 200 mg three times daily increased the blood concentration of tacrolimus from 8 to 22 ng/mL. Following a reduction of the tacrolimus dose to 3 mg daily, blood levels of tacrolimus decreased to 12 ng/mL.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Acetazolamide

Laboratory studies and initial clinical findings suggest that berberine has the potential to increase acetazolamide concentrations in the body. More research is needed to confirm this interaction.

Likelihood Possible Evidence C
Berberine HCl 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

Bitter Melon fruit extract3 drug types · 282 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Bitter melon can lower blood glucose levels and might have additive effects when used with antidiabetes drugs. This might increase the risk of hypoglycemia in some patients. Monitor blood glucose levels closely.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Bitter melon might inhibit the p-glycoprotein (P-gp) intestinal pump and increase intracellular levels of P-gp substrates. In vitro research in intestinal cells shows that 1-monopalmitin, a constituent of bitter melon, increases levels of daunomycin, a P-gp substrate. Additionally, drinking bitter melon juice has been associated with a case of acute pancreatitis in a patient who had been taking pazopanib, a P-gp substrate, for 8 years. Researchers theorize that inhibition of P-gp led to increased levels of pazopanib, resulting in pazopanib-induced pancreatitis.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Pazopanib (Votrient)

Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of pazopanib, potentially increasing the risk of adverse effects.
In one case, a 65-year-old patient taking pazopanib for 8 years for renal cell carcinoma experienced signs and symptoms consistent with acute pancreatitis 4 days after drinking bitter melon juice at a dose of 100-150 mL daily. The patient's symptoms, amylase levels, and lipase levels improved upon discontinuation of bitter melon and pazopanib. Pazopanib treatment was re-initiated with no further evidence of pancreatitis. Researchers theorize that inhibition of P-glycoprotein by bitter melon led to increased levels of pazopanib, a P-glycoprotein substrate, resulting in pazopanib-induced pancreatitis.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Bitter Melon fruit extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Berberine HCL+, from the product label.

Healths Harmony

See all Healths Harmony products
Name
Healths Harmony USA Supplements LLC
Street Address
30 N. Gould St. Ste 6594
City
Sheridan
State
WY
ZipCode
82801
Web Address
healthsharmony.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Berberine HCL+ by Healths Harmony: Common Questions

Does Berberine HCL+ by Healths Harmony interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Berberine HCL+ has a known interaction with 1,242 medications, including 1 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Berberine HCL+ contains 3 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 pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Berberine is rated Likely Unsafe in pregnancy and lactation because it can cross the placenta and pass into breast milk and has been linked to newborn harm. Banaba and bitter melon also lack sufficient safety data in pregnancy and are best avoided. Talk with your doctor before considering any supplement during pregnancy or while nursing.
What are the most common side effects of berberine?
The most common side effects are digestive — abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas, nausea, and vomiting. Some people also report dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, or headache. These are usually mild but can be bothersome.
Does this product actually help with diabetes or blood sugar?
Berberine is rated Possibly Effective for diabetes, so it has some clinical research behind it. However, banaba leaf and bitter melon both show Insufficient Reliable Evidence — meaning the science hasn't yet proven they work for blood sugar or diabetes. Don't rely on this product as your only approach; work with your doctor on a complete plan.
Why is there a warning about cyclosporine?
Berberine slows how your body breaks down cyclosporine (a drug used after organ transplants), which can cause the drug to build up to unsafe levels in your blood. This is a Major interaction and a serious concern if you take that medication.
Can bitter melon really cause kidney problems?
It's rare, but one case report described kidney inflammation in someone taking a high dose of bitter melon extract (600–1200 mg daily) over several months. Most people tolerate bitter melon well as food or in supplement doses, but if you have kidney disease or take diabetes drugs, talk to your pharmacist first.
How long is it safe to take this product?
Berberine has been studied short-term and is generally tolerated, but long-term safety isn't well established. The same goes for banaba leaf extract. If you're considering long-term use, check in with your pharmacist or doctor regularly.

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

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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.

Berberine HCL+ label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Berberine HCL+’s Ingredients

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

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 → Herb & supplement monograph

Berberine

Interacts with 1,160 drugs

Berberine is a yellow plant compound that has shown promise for lowering blood sugar and cholesterol in some studies, but the quality of research varies and it is not a replacement for presc...

Read the full Berberine monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Bitter Melon

Interacts with 282 drugs

Bitter melon is a tropical fruit eaten as food and used in traditional medicine, most often for blood sugar control. While some small studies hint it may modestly lower blood sugar, the evid...

Read the full Bitter Melon monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Berberine HCL+'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 66 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.

Banaba 7 references
  1. Judy WV, Hari SP, Stogsdill WW, et al. Antidiabetic activity of a standardized extract (Glucosol) from Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves in Type II diabetics. A dose-dependence study. J Ethnopharmacol 2003;87:115-7. PubMed
  2. Kakuda T, Sakane I, Takihara T, et al. Hypoglycemic effect of extracts from Lagerstroemia speciosa L. leaves in genetically diabetic KK-AY mice. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 1996;60:204-8.
  3. Fukushima, M., Matsuyama, F., Ueda, N., Egawa, K., Takemoto, J., Kajimoto, Y., Yonaha, N., Miura, T., Kaneko, T., Nishi, Y., Mitsui, R., Fujita, Y., Yamada, Y., and Seino, Y. Effect of corosolic acid on postchallenge plasma glucose levels. Diabetes Res C PubMed
  4. Yamaguchi, Y., Yamada, K., Yoshikawa, N., Nakamura, K., Haginaka, J., and Kunitomo, M. Corosolic acid prevents oxidative stress, inflammation and hypertension in SHR/NDmcr-cp rats, a model of metabolic syndrome. Life Sci 11-25-2006;79(26):2474-2479. PubMed
  5. Fuchikami H, Satoh H, Tsujimoto M, Ohdo S, Ohtani H, Sawada Y. Effects of herbal extracts on the function of human organic anion-transporting polypeptide OATP-B. Drug Metab Dispos 2006;34:577-82. PubMed
  6. Manaf A, Tjandrawinata RR, Malinda D. Insulin sensitizer in prediabetes: a clinical study with DLBS3233, a combined bioactive fraction of Cinnamomum burmanii and Lagerstroemia speciosa. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2016;10:1279-89. PubMed
  7. Tjokroprawiro A, Murtiwi S, Tjandrawinata RR. DLBS3233, a combined bioactive fraction of Cinnamomum burmanii and Lagerstroemia speciosa, in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients inadequately controlled by metformin and other oral antidiabetic agents. J Comple

See these in context on the Banaba monograph →

Berberine 41 references
  1. Chan E. Displacement of bilirubin from albumin by berberine. Biol Neonate 1993;63:201-8. PubMed
  2. Janbaz KH, Gilani AH. Studies on preventive and curative effects of berberine on chemical-induced hepatotoxicity in rodents. Fitoterapia 2000;71:25-33.. PubMed
  3. Wu X, Li Q, Xin H, Yu A, Zhong M. Effects of berberine on the blood concentration of cyclosporin A in renal transplanted recipients: clinical and pharmacokinetic study. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2005;61:567-72. PubMed
  4. Zhang Y, Li X, Zou D, et al. Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008;93:2559-65. PubMed
  5. Huang XS, Yang GF, Pan YC. Effect of berberin hydrochloride on blood concentration of cyclosporine A in cardiac transplanted patients. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2008;28:702-4.
  6. Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82. PubMed
  7. Chatterjee P, Franklin MR. Human cytochrome p450 inhibition and metabolic-intermediate complex formation by goldenseal extract and its methylenedioxyphenyl components. Drug Metab Dispos 2003;31:1391-7. PubMed
  8. Marin-Neto, J. A., Maciel, B. C., Secches, A. L., and Gallo, Junior L. Cardiovascular effects of berberine in patients with severe congestive heart failure. Clin.Cardiol. 1988;11(4):253-260. PubMed
  9. Choudhry, V. P., Sabir, M., and Bhide, V. N. Berberine in giardiasis. Indian Pediatr. 1972;9(3):143-146.
  10. Shanbhag, S. M., Kulkarni, H. J., and Gaitonde, B. B. Pharmacological actions of berberine on the central nervous system. Jpn.J Pharmacol 1970;20(4):482-487. PubMed
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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.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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