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: Botanical
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, diabetes, digestive complaints.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 Hydrochloride, 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 11, 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.

Berberine HCL+ contains 3 active ingredients: berberine hydrochloride, bitter melon fruit extract, and banaba leaf extract. Berberine is an alkaloid that's been studied for effects on cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, and bacterial infections.

Bitter melon is a tropical fruit traditionally used in Asian medicine, and banaba is a leaf extract from a tree native to the Philippines, both traditionally associated with blood sugar support. The product also contains inactive ingredients—hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (a capsule binder), magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide—which help form and stabilize the capsule.

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 and metabolic health support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes), 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, diabetes, high blood pressure, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

However, bitter melon and banaba leaf extract have insufficient reliable evidence in our data for any of their traditional uses—diabetes, blood sugar control, and related conditions. That doesn't mean they don't work; it means rigorous studies backing their effectiveness aren't yet established in the sources we hold.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Bitter Melon Berberine 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 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 well tolerated short-term but can cause digestive upset—abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and flatulence. Bitter melon commonly causes similar gastrointestinal side effects (reported in about 3 to 16 percent of trial participants) and may cause dizziness, fatigue, or headache.

Rare but serious side effects include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) with berberine and a kidney issue (acute interstitial nephritis) reported in one case of bitter melon use at high doses over months. Banaba leaf extract appears well tolerated in short studies, though long-term safety isn't established.

Because berberine is unsafe in pregnancy and passes into breast milk, and because bitter melon and banaba lack sufficient safety data in pregnancy and lactation, the safety data advises against all three during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Bitter Melon Berberine Banaba

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 this product, double-check if you take cyclosporine (the most serious interaction, Major severity), then blood pressure drugs, diabetes drugs, blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, CNS depressants (sedatives, muscle relaxers), or any drug your liver breaks down through CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or CYP2C9 enzymes—all Moderate severity. If you take pazopanib (Votrient), discuss this product with your pharmacist.

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.

This product is best for someone interested in berberine's established research on cholesterol and blood sugar and willing to check their medications first—especially if they take cyclosporine, blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, diabetes drugs, or sedating medications. Avoid it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Talk to your pharmacist before starting, especially if you take any prescription drugs, have heart or kidney issues, or take supplements.

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 Sep 25, 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 Berberine HCL+, straight from the product label.

Brand Healths Harmony
Barcode (UPC) X0027LQAHN
Net contents 60 Vegetable Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2024
DSLD ID 318351
Product type Botanical
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 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
X0027LQAHN
IngredientAmount% DV
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract200 mg--
Berberine Hydrochloride1000 mg--
Banaba leaf extract50 mg--

Other ingredients: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, 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 daily preferably with meals or as directed by a healthcare professional.

Precautions

Caution: Do not exceed recommended dose. Discontinue use if you experience diarrhea or cramping. Do not use if safety seal is damaged or missing.

This product is not intended for pregnant or nursing mothers or children under the age of 18. If you have a known medical condition or are taking any prescription medication consult a physician before using this or any dietary supplement.

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

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

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Formulation

Satisfaction guarantee We offer a full refund on the purchase price of your order within 90 days of purchase. Restrictions apply. Full details: Healthharmony.com/refunds

Vegan capsules

Non GMO

Vegetarian

Non-GMO

Formula

1250 mg advanced complex Bitter melon extract Banaba extract 1250 mg Berberine HCl, Bitter melon extract and Banaba extract per 2 capsule serving.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Sourced from a GMP Certified Facility USA Made in the USA with domestic & international ingredients

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

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

Visit us online at: Healthsharmony.com New

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 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.

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

Berberine Hydrochloride

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 Hydrochloride monograph & 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

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, 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 Hydrochloride 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 Hydrochloride 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 Hydrochloride15 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 Hydrochloride 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
Street Address
239 2nd Ave. S. 2nd Floor
City
St. Petersburg
State
FL
ZipCode
33701
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 unsafe in pregnancy and passes into breast milk. Bitter melon and banaba lack enough safety data, and the safety information advises against both during pregnancy and while nursing. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about alternatives.
What side effects might I get from this product?
The most common are digestive—abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and flatulence. You might also feel dizzy, tired, or get a headache. Serious side effects (rare) include dangerously low blood sugar or, in one reported case with bitter melon at high doses, kidney inflammation. Stop and call your pharmacist or doctor if you feel faint, have severe abdominal pain, or notice changes in urination.
Does berberine actually work for diabetes?
Berberine is rated possibly effective for diabetes based on clinical research showing it can lower blood glucose. However, bitter melon and banaba leaf extract don't have enough reliable evidence in our data to rate them for diabetes, even though they're traditionally used for that. Talk with your doctor about how this product fits your diabetes plan.
What is bitter melon and why is it in this product?
Bitter melon is a tropical fruit used in Asian cooking and traditional medicine. It's included here because it's traditionally associated with blood sugar support, though we don't have strong evidence for it yet. It commonly causes digestive side effects like nausea and diarrhea.
Can this product affect my blood pressure or blood sugar medication?
Yes. All three ingredients can lower blood pressure and blood sugar, and berberine can raise levels of some blood pressure and diabetes drugs. If you take either type of medication, your levels might drop too low. Your pharmacist can check your exact drugs and help you decide if it's safe to take together.
Why does this product interact with so many medications?
Berberine is the main reason—it inhibits liver enzymes (CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP2C9) that break down many drugs, which can make those drugs stay in your body longer and build up to higher levels. It also affects how your intestines absorb some medications. That's why checking with your pharmacist before starting is so important.

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

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 → 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

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

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.

Bitter Melon 18 references
  1. Leatherdale B, Panesar RK, Singh G, et al. Improvement in glucose tolerance due to Momordica charantia. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1981;282:1823-4.
  2. Welihinda J, et al. Effect of Momordica charantia on the glucose tolerance in maturity onset diabetes. J Ethnopharmacol 1986;17:277-82. PubMed
  3. Srivastava Y, Venkatakrishna-Bhatt H, Verma Y, et al. Antidiabetic and adaptogenic properties of Momordica charantia extract: An experimental and clinical evaluation. Phytother Res 1993;7:285-9.
  4. Baldwa VS, Bhandari CM, Pangaria A, Goyal RK. Clinical trial in patients with diabetes mellitus of an insulin-like compound obtained from plant sources. Ups J Med Sci 1977;82:39-41. PubMed
  5. Aslam M, Stockley IH. Interaction between curry ingredient (karela) and drug (chlorpropamide). Lancet 1979:1:607. PubMed
  6. Ahmad N, Hassan MR, Halder H, Bennoor KS. Effect of Momordica charantia (Karolla) extracts on fasting and postprandial serum glucose levels in NIDDM patients (abstract). Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 1999;25:11-3.
  7. Basch E, Gabardi S, Ulbricht C. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia): a review of efficacy and safety. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2003;60:356-9. PubMed
  8. Yin RV, Lee NC, Hirpara H, Phung OJ. T. The effect of bitter melon (Mormordica charantia) in patients with diabetes mellitus: s systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Diabetes. 2014;4:e145.
  9. Rahman IU, Khan RU, Rahman KU, Bashir M. Lower hypoglycemic but higher antiatherogenic effects of bitter melon than glibenclamide in type 2 diabetic patients. Nutr J. 2015;14:13. PubMed
  10. Alam MA, Uddin R, Subhan N, Rahman MM, Jain P, Reza HM. Beneficial role of bitter melon supplementation in obesity and related complications in metabolic syndrome. J Lipids. 2015;2015:496169. PubMed
  11. Konishi T, Satsu H, Hatsugai Y, et al. Inhibitory effect of a bitter melon extract on the P-glycoprotein activity in intestinal Caco-2 cells. Br J Pharmacol. 2004;143(3):379-87. PubMed
  12. Peter EL, Kasali FM, Deyno S, et al. Momordica charantia L. lowers elevated glycaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2019;231:311-24. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.10.033. PubMed
  13. Cortez-Navarrete M, Martínez-Abundis E, Pérez-Rubio KG, González-Ortiz M, Méndez-Del Villar M. Momordica charantia administration improves insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Med Food. 2018;21(7):672-7. doi: 10.108
  14. Kim SK, Jung J, Jung JH, et al. Hypoglycemic efficacy and safety of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Complement Ther Med. 2020 Aug;52:102524. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102524. PubMed
  15. Unsal O, Sütcüoglu O, Yazici O. Dangerous interaction of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) with pazopanib: a case of acute pancreatitis. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2022;28(2):486-8.
  16. Bae W, Kim S, Choi J, et al. Acute interstitial nephritis associated with ingesting a Momordica charantia extract: a case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021;100(27):e26606. PubMed
  17. Chattopadhyay K, Wang H, Kaur J, et al. Effectiveness and Safety of Ayurvedic Medicines in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:821810. Published 2022 Jun 8. PubMed
  18. Kim B, Lee HS, Kim HJ, et al. Momordica charantia (bitter melon) efficacy and safety on glucose metabolism in Korean prediabetes participants: a 12-week, randomized clinical study. Food Sci Biotechnol 2022;32(5):697-704. PubMed

See these in context on the Bitter Melon 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
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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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