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Dietary supplement

Bilberry Premium Extract Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Way

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

Bilberry Premium Extract is a dietary supplement by Nature's Way with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for eye and vision health, antioxidant support, diarrhea and digestive upset.Based on those ingredients, 394 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bilberry Fruit Extract, Black Elder. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Bilberry Premium Extract by Nature's Way

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • “Bilberry Fruit Extract” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (160 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

This product contains 2 active ingredients: Anthocyanins and Bilberry Fruit Extract, which includes Black Elder (elderberry). Anthocyanins are pigment compounds found in berries; we couldn't check interaction data for anthocyanins specifically.

Black Elder is the ingredient with documented interactions listed here. The capsules also contain inactive ingredients: cellulose, hypromellose, and silica — these are fillers and binders that hold the supplement together.

Does it work?

Not established
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 established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Elderberry's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: supports eye health and vision function.
  • We looked for evidence on: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Asthenopia (eye strain), Cataracts, Diabetic retinopathy, Dry eye, Glaucoma — and 4 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Elderberry is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Asthenopia (eye strain) (Natural Medicines).

The evidence we hold doesn't establish effectiveness for Black Elder (elderberry) for any of the conditions listed — allergic rhinitis (hay fever), heart disease, chronic fatigue, COPD, thinking and memory, or respiratory tract infections. All of these show insufficient reliable evidence to rate.

We don't have effectiveness data on file for the anthocyanins or bilberry fruit extract portions of this product.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Bilberry Elderberry

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.

Properly prepared elderberry products from ripe fruit are generally well tolerated. However, raw or unripe berries, leaves, bark, and seeds can be toxic due to compounds called cyanogenic glycosides, which may cause nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, weakness, dizziness, numbness, and even stupor — cooking eliminates this toxin.

There's also a rare case report of autoimmune hepatitis in a patient taking elderberry long-term who had an underlying autoimmune disease. For pregnancy and breastfeeding, the safety data advises against elderberry supplements — there isn't enough reliable information to know either way, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.

We don't have safety data on file for anthocyanins.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Bilberry Elderberry

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 — Elderberry.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: immunosuppressants / transplant drugs.
  • For scale: 121 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 pharmacist if you take immunosuppressants (drugs that tamp down your immune system) or pazopanib (a cancer medication) — both carry Moderate-severity interactions with the elderberry in this formula.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you take immunosuppressants or pazopanib, this product isn't for you without a conversation with your pharmacist first. If you have an underlying autoimmune disease, that's another flag to discuss with your doctor.

Most people tolerate the ripe fruit form, but always verify your medications using the tool on this page.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Mar 25, 2025.

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 Premium Extract, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Way
Barcode (UPC) 033674605103
Net contents 90 Vegan Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 25, 2025
DSLD ID 327878
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy 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 Premium Extract by Nature's Way, 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
45
UPC/BARCODE
033674605103
IngredientAmount% DV
Total Carbohydrates1 Gram(s)1%
Anthocyanins40 mg--
Bilberry Fruit Extract160 mg--
Black Elder250 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Hypromellose, Silica

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.
Formulation

Supports eye health

Made with the quality you trust

Bottled and tested in the USA

Vegan Gelatin free

Vegan Gelatin free

Non GMO Project Verified nongmoproject.org

Gluten free. No salt, wheat, soy, dairy, gelatin, or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Formula

Bilberry has been shown to promote eye function Standardized bilberry extract to guarantee 25% anthocyanins Bilberry is native to northern Europe

25% anthocyanins Plant powered

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

Safety sealed with inner seal. Do not use if seal is broken or missing.

If you are pregnant, nursing, or taking any medications, consult a healthcare professional before use.

Storage

Keep tightly closed. Store at room temperature. Avoid excessive heat and direct sunlight.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Copyright 2023 Nature's Way Brands, LLC

General Statements

Questions? 1-800-962-8873 / naturesway.com Bottle made from 50% post-consumer recycled plastic

Seals/Symbols

Vegan Gelatin free

Non GMO Project Verified nongmoproject.org

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommendation: Adults take 2 capsules three times daily, preferably with food.

See for yourself

Bilberry Premium Extract by Nature's Way label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Bilberry Premium Extract by Nature's Way

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container45 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.

Bilberry Fruit Extract

Interacts with
275 drugs
160 mg 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...

Bilberry Fruit Extract monograph & interactions
  • › Anthocyanins

Black Elder

Interacts with
121 drugs
250 mg per serving

Elderberry is a popular herbal supplement, mainly taken to help with colds and flu. Some small studies suggest it may modestly shorten cold or flu sym...

Black Elder monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cellulose, Hypromellose, Silica. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Bilberry Premium Extract by Nature's Way Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Bilberry Premium Extract?

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
394Drugs
394 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Bilberry Premium Extract 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.

Bilberry Fruit Extract4 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

Black Elder2 drug types · 121 drugs

Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, elderberry might interfere with immunosuppressant therapy due to its immunostimulant activity.
Elderberry has immunostimulant activity, increasing the production of cytokines, including interleukin and tumor necrosis factor.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Pazopanib (Votrient)

Theoretically, elderberry might interact with pazopanib, potentially increasing the risk of adverse effects.
In one case, a 65-year-old patient taking pazopanib for 4 weeks for soft-tissue sarcoma developed severe nausea, loose stools, and elevated alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels and was diagnosed with grade 3 liver injury. The patient reported taking elderberry supplements for 2 years, dose unspecified, and was also taking a multivitamin and a calcium supplement. The patient's symptoms and liver enzyme levels improved upon discontinuation of pazopanib and all supplements. Pazopanib treatment was re-initiated, at a lower dose, with no further evidence of liver injury. It was unclear in this case report if the elderberry supplements were derived from the berry, the flower, or the combination.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

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

Nature's Way

See all Nature's Way products
Name
Nature's Way Brands, LLC
City
Green Bay
State
WI
ZipCode
54311
Phone Number
1-800-962-8873
Web Address
naturesway.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Bilberry Premium Extract by Nature's Way: Common Questions

Does Bilberry Premium Extract by Nature's Way interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Bilberry Premium Extract has a known interaction with 394 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Bilberry Premium Extract contains 2 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.
Is this safe if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data advises against elderberry supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding because there isn't enough reliable information. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you in these situations.
What exactly is in this product — just bilberry?
It contains anthocyanins and bilberry fruit extract, which includes Black Elder (elderberry). The elderberry is the ingredient with documented interactions, so that's the one to watch if you're on medications.
Does this help with eye health or fatigue?
We don't have evidence on file establishing that it works for those uses. The conditions we evaluated — including allergic rhinitis, heart disease, fatigue, COPD, cognitive function, and respiratory infections — all show insufficient reliable evidence to rate.
Can raw elderberry hurt you?
Yes. Raw or unripe berries, seeds, leaves, and bark contain toxins that can cause nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, weakness, dizziness, and numbness. That's why it's important that elderberry products are made from properly cooked ripe fruit — cooking eliminates the toxin.
What are anthocyanins?
They're the pigment compounds that give berries their color. We couldn't check interaction data for anthocyanins specifically in our database, so we can't say whether they interact with your medications — the checker tool below will help.

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

Not sure if Bilberry Premium Extract 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 Premium Extract label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Bilberry Premium Extract'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 20 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 →

Elderberry 6 references
  1. Barak V, Halperin T, Kalickman I. The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines. Eur Cytokine Netw 2001;12:290-6..
  2. Elderberry (Sambucus species). The Poison Plant Patch, Novia Scotia Museum, 2007. Available at: http://museum.gov.ns.ca/poison/?section=species&id=117 (Accessed 16 October 2009).
  3. European elder. Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System. Available at: http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/pp/ppack.jump?p_null=all&p_psn=121&p_type=all&p_sci=comm&p_x=px (Accessed 16 October 2009).
  4. Raus K, Pleschka S, Klein P, Schoop R, Fisher P. Effect of an echinacea-based hot drink versus oseltamivir in Influenza treatment: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, noninferiority clinical trial. . Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2015;20;77:6 PubMed
  5. Ramachandran A, Antala D, Pudasainee P, Panginikkod S, Gupta H. A Plausible Association Between the Use of Elderberry and Autoimmune Hepatitis. Cureus 2022;14(4):e24250. PubMed
  6. Agarwal N, Mangla A. Elderberry interaction with pazopanib in a patient with soft-tissue sarcoma: A case report and literature review. Mol Clin Oncol 2024;20(5):36. PubMed

See these in context on the Elderberry 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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