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Dietary supplement

Bilberry Standardized Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Way

Bilberry Standardized label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Bilberry Standardized 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 Standardized 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 extract, Elderberry. 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 Standardized by Nature's Way

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

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Bilberry Standardized 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

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 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Bilberry Standardized contains 2 active ingredients: bilberry extract and elderberry. Bilberry extract is the fruit of a plant in the blueberry family, standardized to concentrate its active compounds.

Elderberry comes from the berry of the elder plant. The capsule itself is made from plant cellulose, with silica and plant-derived capsule material as inactive ingredients.

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.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: support visual adaptation and eye health.
  • 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: Bilberry is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Night vision (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Bilberry is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Cataracts, Diabetic retinopathy, Dry eye, and more.

The evidence for bilberry in this product is limited. Bilberry fruit extract is rated possibly ineffective for night vision — the most-studied use — and the data on age-related cognitive decline, macular degeneration, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, and chronic venous insufficiency (a circulation condition in the legs) is too sparse to rate.

Elderberry has insufficient evidence for allergic rhinitis, heart disease, chronic fatigue, COPD, cognitive function, and respiratory infections. Neither ingredient has strong clinical support for any condition covered in the data we hold.

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 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Bilberry extract is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth, though the long-term safety of concentrated supplements isn't well established. The most common side effects are dark-colored or black stools, flatulence, and mild stomach discomfort — these are cosmetic more than dangerous, though they can be unsettling.

A small number of trial participants reported temporary gas or GI upset. Your tongue or teeth may also become discolored.

Elderberry from ripe fruit is generally well tolerated, but the safety data for supplements is limited. Properly prepared (cooked) elderberry is safe; raw or unripe berries, seeds, leaves, and bark contain a toxin that causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, dizziness, and numbness — cooking destroys it, and this product should be properly prepared.

One rare case report linked elderberry taken for years to autoimmune liver injury, though the cause-and-effect is unclear.

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?
  • 2 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Bilberry, Elderberry.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 394 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, check whether you use blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (moderate risk of bleeding), diabetes medications (moderate risk of low blood sugar), immunosuppressants after transplant (moderate risk of reduced effect), cancer drugs broken down by CYP2E1, or erlotinib or pazopanib. These are the medication types with documented interactions; use the checker below to see if yours apply.

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.

Consider this product only if you don't take blood thinners, diabetes medications, cancer drugs, or immunosuppressants — check your exact prescriptions with the tool on this page first. The evidence for what it claims to do is weak or missing.

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before starting, since safety data for supplement doses is limited.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Nov 25, 2014.

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 Standardized, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Way
Barcode (UPC) 033674151778
Net contents 90 Vcap(s)(R)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 25, 2014
DSLD ID 39982
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Bilberry Standardized 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:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
90
UPC/BARCODE
033674151778
IngredientAmount% DV
Total Carbohydrates1 Gram(s)1%
Bilberry extract80 mg--
Elderberry125 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, plant-derived Capsule, 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.
Brand IP Statement(s)

Health & longevity through the healing power of nature–that’s what it means to Trust the Leaf.(R)

Vcaps(R) is a trademark of Capsugel. NIGHT EYES(R)

(C)2012

Nature's Way(R)

General Statements

Bilberry Extract (Vaccinium myrtillus) is standardized to 25% anthocyanins to support visual adaptation to light, improve microcirculation, promote healthy connective tissues and provide antioxidant protection to the eyes.*

Our Bilberry extract is carefully tested and produced to certified quality standards.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED.

{Capsule} Actual Capsule Size

PREMIUM EXTRACT

EYE FUNCTION

Precautions

Freshness & safety sealed with printed outer shrinkwrap and printed inner seal. Do not use if either seal is broken or missing.

Keep out of reach of children.

General

LN5177.A01 (BLK8155A)

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.

Formulation

vegetarian VCAPS(R)

Formula

25% Anthocyanins

FDA Statement of Identity

DIETARY SUPPLEMENT

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommendation: Take 1 capsule three times daily, preferably with food. For intensive use: Take 2 capsules three times daily.

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

See for yourself

Bilberry Standardized by Nature's Way label

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

Bilberry Standardized 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 Standardized by Nature's Way

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container90 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 extract

Interacts with
275 drugs
80 mg per serving Form: Anthocyanins

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 extract monograph & interactions

Elderberry

Interacts with
121 drugs
125 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...

Elderberry monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Bilberry Standardized by Nature's Way Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Bilberry Standardized?

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

Bilberry extract 275
Elderberry 121

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Bilberry Standardized interact with 394 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

2 of the 2 ingredients in Bilberry Standardized interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Bilberry extract Elderberry

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Bilberry Standardized 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 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
Bilberry extract full monograph & interactions

Elderberry2 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
Elderberry full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Nature's Way

See all Nature's Way products
Phone Number
1-800-962-8873
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Bilberry Standardized by Nature's Way: Common Questions

Does Bilberry Standardized by Nature's Way interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Bilberry Standardized 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 Standardized 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 bilberry safe during pregnancy?
Yes — bilberry is rated likely safe in pregnancy based on the available data. Elderberry is also rated likely safe, though the data for supplement doses is more limited. Still, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any supplement in pregnancy, as they know your full health picture.
Can I breastfeed while taking this?
The safety data for bilberry while breastfeeding isn't on file. Elderberry, on the other hand, is rated likely safe during breastfeeding. Since this product contains both, check with your pharmacist or doctor for personalized advice.
Does bilberry actually help with night vision?
No — bilberry extract is rated possibly ineffective for night vision, which is the condition it's most famous for. The data we hold doesn't support its use for this or several other common claims.
What are the most common side effects?
Dark or black stools are the most frequent — your stool color may shift noticeably. Gas, bloating, and mild stomach discomfort happen too. These aren't dangerous, just annoying. A very small number of people in trials reported nausea or temporary GI upset.
Why does the bottle say 'standardized'?
Standardized means the extract is processed to contain a known, consistent amount of the active plant compounds — in this case, the anthocyanidins in bilberry that give it its color and effects. It's a way to ensure you're getting a reliable dose from batch to batch.
Is there anything else in this product besides the two berries?
No active ingredients besides bilberry and elderberry. The capsule is made from plant cellulose, and there's silica as a flow agent — all inactive stuff that helps the capsule hold together and stay stable.

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

Not sure if Bilberry Standardized 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 Standardized label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Bilberry Standardized’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 → Herb & supplement monograph

Elderberry

Interacts with 121 drugs

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 symptoms, but the evidence is limited and n...

Read the full Elderberry monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Bilberry Standardized'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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