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Dietary supplement

Bilberry Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Alvita

Bilberry label
See full label image
Other (e.g. Tea Bag) Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Oct 7, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

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

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

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Bilberry is a dietary supplement by Alvita with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for eye and vision health, antioxidant support, diarrhea and digestive upset.Based on those ingredients, 275 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are organic Bilberry. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Bilberry by Alvita

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Bilberry by Alvita — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Bilberry by Alvita

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 16, 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 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: organic bilberry fruit. Bilberry is a small purple berry packed with compounds called anthocyanidins, which give it its deep color and are thought to be responsible for its potential effects.

There are no other inactive ingredients listed for this tea bag formula.

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 Bilberry product and its label doesn't state a use — see Bilberry'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 bilberry is mixed. For night vision — the claim it's most famous for — the data we hold rates it possibly ineffective, meaning the evidence doesn't support that use.

For other conditions like age-related cognitive decline, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), atherosclerosis, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), and chronic venous insufficiency (a vein circulation problem), there simply isn't enough reliable evidence in our data to rate whether it works or not. If you're considering bilberry for one of these reasons, talk it over with your doctor to see if the current evidence makes sense for your situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Bilberry

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.

Bilberry fruit eaten as food is generally well tolerated, and the tea and extract forms seem to be tolerated fairly well too. The most common side effects are dark-colored stools (which is just the pigment passing through), flatulence, and mild stomach discomfort.

Some people have reported temporary gastrointestinal effects, and in one study about a third of participants had mild-to-moderate gas. Your tongue, teeth, and stools may turn dark blue or black — this is harmless staining from the fruit's pigment.

That said, long-term safety data for concentrated supplements is limited. The safety notes advise caution with supplement doses, particularly concentrated forms.

Food amounts of bilberry are likely fine, but if you're thinking about a supplement, the guidance is to avoid it until more safety evidence exists. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, bilberry fruit is rated Likely Safe, but talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this particular product is right for you.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Bilberry

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 — Bilberry.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 275 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 you use this bilberry tea, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (Moderate risk of increased bleeding), diabetes medications (Moderate risk of low blood sugar), erlotinib or other cancer medications metabolized by specific liver enzymes (Moderate risk of reduced drug effect). No interactions are documented for other medication types 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.

This tea works best if you're looking to enjoy bilberry fruit as a beverage. For medicinal use — whether to boost night vision, brain function, or heart health — the evidence is either weak or not yet established in our data.

More importantly, if you take blood thinners, diabetes medications, or erlotinib, you'll need to check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this product, as bilberry may interfere with how these drugs work.

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 May 22, 2015.

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 Bilberry, straight from the product label.

Brand Alvita
Barcode (UPC) 027434040211
Net contents 24 Tea Bag(s); 1.59 oz.; 45.12 Gram(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 22, 2015
DSLD ID 45046
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Other (e.g. Tea Bag)
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Organic, Gluten 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 Bilberry by Alvita, 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 Tea Bag(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Tea Bag(s)
UPC/BARCODE
027434040211
IngredientAmount% DV
organic Bilberry1.88 Gram(s)--

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

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

The Alvita Story… In 1922, a new era for tea consumption began in America. The herb alfalfa, long known for its beneficial nutrients, was packaged in tea bags and sold to an emerging health food market. This product became known as Alvita and set the standard for future herbal teas. Today, Alvita represents more than forty single-ingredient teas, each one uniquely distinct, just like the individuals who drink them.

Bilberry The bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is thought of as the American blueberry’s European cousin, with a similar flavor, though slightly more tart. Renowned by European herbalists for more than a century, bilberry has gained popularity in recent years among American herbalists and tea drinkers alike not only for its antioxidant properties, but also for its pleasant flavor.*

Since 1922

Traditional tea now valued for its antioxidant properties*

Add sweetener if desired

Historical and scientific literature is painstakingly studied to ensure that the correct traditional plant and most appropriate servings are used, delivering premium flavor and quality.

Herbs are gifts from the earth. Alvita takes its stewardship seriously by offering carefully harvested teas in earth-friendly packaging. Our beautifully illustrated boxes are made using recycled paperboard and our English, pillow style tea bags are oxygen bleached, not chlorine treated. You won’t find a better product, with a cleaner package… anywhere. Alvita… brewed with confidence, steeped in tradition.

Formula

Alvita Bilberry Tea is made with premium-quality, organic bilberry fruit, and produces a zesty, fruity flavor and aroma.

Precautions

WARNING: If you are pregnant or nursing, taking any medication or have any medical condition, consult a health care professional before use

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Formulation

Certified Organic by QAI.

Certified Gluten-Free by NSF.

ORGANIC

Naturally caffeine free

Alvita chooses only the highest quality organic, wildcrafted, or cultivated botanicals, perfectly prepared to provide you with the best Mother Nature has to offer.

General

2022609

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

CERTIFIED GLUTEN-FREE NSF

USDA ORGANIC

K

QUALITY ASSURANCE INTERNATIONAL CERTIFIED ORGANIC

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Preparation Place one tea bag in a cup and add 8 oz of boiling water. Cover and steep for 15 minutes. Gently squeeze tea bag and remove. Directions for use: We recommend 4 cups daily.

HOW TO BREW Pour 8 oz 1 Temp 212(0) F 2 Steep 15 min 3

Brand IP Statement(s)

100% Recycled Paperboard(R) RECYCLABLE

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

See for yourself

Bilberry by Alvita label

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

Bilberry 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 Bilberry by Alvita

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

Serving size1 Tea Bag(s) Dosage formOther (e.g. Tea Bag) Amounts shown are per serving.

Organic Bilberry

Interacts with
275 drugs
1.88 Gram(s) per serving

Bilberry is a blueberry-like fruit rich in antioxidant plant compounds called anthocyanins, and it has a long history of traditional use for eye healt...

Organic Bilberry monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Bilberry by Alvita Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Bilberry?

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
275Drugs
275 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

organic Bilberry 275

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Bilberry interact with 275 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Bilberry interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. organic Bilberry

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Bilberry 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.

organic Bilberry4 drug types · 275 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, bilberry fruit extract might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro, animal, and clinical research suggest that anthocyanidin extracts from bilberry can inhibit platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, bilberry leaf or fruit extract may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that bilberry leaf extract might have blood glucose-lowering activity. Also, one small clinical trial in patients with type 2 diabetes shows that taking bilberry fruit extract 470 mg as a single dose prior to an oral glucose tolerance test lowers plasma glucose levels when compared with placebo.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2E1 (Cyp2E1) Substrates

Theoretically, bilberry fruit extract might decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2E1.
Animal research shows that exposure to small concentrations of bilberry extract in drinking water for around one month increased CYP2E1 activity by 31%. However, exposure over a 2-month period did not increase CYP2E1 activity. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Erlotinib (Tarceva)

Theoretically, bilberry fruit extract might reduce the efficacy of erlotinib.
In vitro research suggests that bilberry fruit extract and its constituents, delphinidin and delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, inhibit the activity of erlotinib. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
organic Bilberry full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Alvita

See all Alvita products
Name
Twinlab Corporation
City
American Fork
State
UT
ZipCode
84003
Phone Number
1-800-645-5626
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Bilberry by Alvita: Common Questions

Does Bilberry by Alvita interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Bilberry has a known interaction with 275 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Bilberry 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.
Will bilberry tea help my vision?
That's the classic claim, but the evidence we hold rates bilberry as possibly ineffective for night vision specifically. For age-related macular degeneration and other eye conditions, there simply isn't enough reliable data to say whether it works. Your eye doctor is the best person to talk about whether bilberry makes sense for your vision.
Is this safe to drink every day?
Bilberry fruit eaten as food is generally safe, and the tea seems well tolerated in most people. Common side effects are just dark stools, gas, and mild stomach discomfort — mostly harmless. However, long-term safety data for supplements is limited, so the guidance is caution if you're planning daily use of concentrated doses.
Can I use this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Bilberry fruit is rated Likely Safe during pregnancy and lactation. That said, individual situations vary, so check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure this product fits your personal health picture.
Why do my stools turn dark after drinking this?
That's just the bilberry's natural dark purple pigment passing through your system. It's harmless and temporary. Your tongue and even teeth may stain too, but it washes out.
Does bilberry interact with blood pressure or cholesterol medications?
The interactions we hold data for don't include those drug types, so we can't tell you there's an interaction — but that's not a guarantee none exists. Run your specific medications through the tool on this page, and if you don't see them listed, ask your pharmacist to double-check.

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

Not sure if Bilberry 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.

Bilberry label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Bilberry’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Bilberry

Interacts with 275 drugs

Bilberry is a blueberry-like fruit rich in antioxidant plant compounds called anthocyanins, and it has a long history of traditional use for eye health, circulation, and mild diarrhea. While...

Read the full Bilberry monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Bilberry'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 14 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.

Bilberry 14 references
  1. Cignarella A, Nastasi M, Cavalli E, Puglisi L. Novel lipid-lowering properties of Vaccinium myrtillus L. leaves, a traditional antidiabetic treatment, in several models of rat dyslipidaemia: a comparison with ciprofibrate. Thromb Res 1996;84:311-22. PubMed
  2. Morazzoni P, Magistretti MJ. Activity of Myrtocyan, an anthosyanoside complex from Vaccinium myrtillus (VMA), on platelet aggregation and adhesiveness. Fitoterapia 1990;61:13-21.
  3. Erlund, I., Koli, R., Alfthan, G., Marniemi, J., Puukka, P., Mustonen, P., Mattila, P., and Jula, A. Favorable effects of berry consumption on platelet function, blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87(2):323-331. PubMed
  4. Hawrelak, J. A. and Myers, S. P. Effects of two natural medicine formulations on irritable bowel syndrome symptoms: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med 2010;16(10):1065-1071. PubMed
  5. Morazzoni P and Magistretti MJ. Effects of Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides on prostacyclin-like activity in rat arterial issue. Fitoterapia 1986;57:11-14.
  6. Pulliero G, Montin S, Bettini V, and et al. Ex vivo study of the inhibitory effects of Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides on human platelet aggregation. Fitoterapia 1989;60:69-75.
  7. Bottecchia D. Preliminary report on the inhibitory effect of vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides on platelet aggregation and clot retraction. Fitoterapia 1987;48:3-8.
  8. Fdez, M., Zaragoza, F., and Alvarez, P. In vitro platelet aggregation effects of anthocyanosides of vaccinium myrtilus L. Anales de la Real Academia de Farmacia 1983;49:79-90.
  9. Biedermann L, Mwinyi J, Scharl M, Frei P, Zeitz J, Kullak-Ublick GA, et al. Bilberry ingestion improves disease activity in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis-an open pilot study. 2013 May;7(4):271-9. PubMed
  10. Hoggard N, Cruickshank M, Moar KM, Bestwick C, Holst J, Russell W, et al. A single supplement of a standardized bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract (36% wet weight anthocyanins) modifies glycaemic response in individuals with type 2 diabetes control
  11. Aichinger G, Pahlke G, Nagel LJ, Berger W, Marko D. Bilberry extract, its major phenolic compounds, and soy isoflavone genistein antagonize the cytostatic drug erlotinib in human epithelial cells. Food Funct 2016;7(8):3628-36.
  12. Prokop J, Lněničková K, Cibicek N, et al. Effect of bilberry extract (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) on drug-metabolizing enzymes in rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2019;129:382-90. PubMed
  13. Chan SW, Chu TTW, Choi SW, Benzie IFF, Tomlinson B. Impact of short-term bilberry supplementation on glycemic control, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and antioxidant status in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. Phytother Res 2021. Online ahead o PubMed
  14. Bøhn SK, Myhrstad MCW, Thoresen M, et al. Bilberry/red grape juice decreases plasma biomarkers of inflammation and tissue damage in aged men with subjective memory impairment -a randomized clinical trial. BMC Nutr 2021;7(1):75. PubMed

See these in context on the Bilberry 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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