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

Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Dr. Mercola

Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal 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 Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal 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

Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal is a dietary supplement by Dr. Mercola with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestive upset and diarrhea, colds and respiratory infections, sore throat and mouth sores.Based on those ingredients, 1,237 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Goldenseal Root Extract, Bitter Melon Fruit Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal by Dr. Mercola

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal by Dr. Mercola — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal by Dr. Mercola

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.
  • “Goldenseal Root Extract” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (1,000 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

This product contains two active ingredients: berberine, a plant alkaloid from goldenseal root extract, and bitter melon fruit extract. Berberine is traditionally used in herbal medicine for blood sugar and cholesterol support, while bitter melon has been studied for similar purposes.

The capsules also contain inactive ingredients — pullulan (capsule material), rice husk, maltodextrin, rice extract, gum acacia, and sunflower oil — that serve as fillers and binders.

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 glucose, immune, and digestive support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes), Diarrhea, Dyspepsia, Flatulence, Gastritis — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Berberine is rated "Possibly Effective" for Diabetes (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Bitter Melon is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Diabetes, Dyspepsia, Peptic ulcers, Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes).
  • Also on file: Berberine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Diarrhea, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Berberine is possibly effective for high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), high blood pressure (hypertension), and diabetes based on available evidence. For the bacterial infection H. pylori, it's also possibly effective.

Bitter melon, however, has insufficient reliable evidence to rate its effectiveness for diabetes, liver disease, constipation, amenorrhea, athletic performance, or indigestion (dyspepsia). The evidence we hold doesn't establish what bitter melon reliably does for these conditions.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Goldenseal Berberine Bitter Melon

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 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.

Berberine is generally well tolerated short-term but commonly causes digestive side effects — stomach pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas, nausea, and vomiting — and may also cause dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, and headache. Berberine is unsafe in pregnancy; it can cross the placenta and has been linked to newborn harm.

Avoid it while breastfeeding because it passes into breast milk. Bitter melon is generally well tolerated as food but supplement doses may lower blood sugar and cause stomach upset.

It appears in about 3% to 16% of trial participants as gas, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other GI discomfort. Safety data during breastfeeding is insufficient; pregnancy use is traditionally avoided because seeds and high doses may harm the uterus or cause other harm.

Rare serious cases of kidney function decline and low blood sugar emergencies have been reported.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Goldenseal Berberine Bitter Melon

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

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

Why this rating?
  • 2 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Bitter Melon, 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: 1,220 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 take this product, double-check with us or your pharmacist if you take cyclosporine (Major severity interaction with berberine). Also important: blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, sedatives or CNS depressants, or any drugs cleared by your liver through the CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or CYP2C9 pathways (Moderate severity).

Bitter melon adds concern for P-glycoprotein substrates and the cancer drug pazopanib (Moderate).

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 worth considering if you're interested in herbal support for blood sugar or cholesterol and berberine's evidence appeals to you — but only if you don't take cyclosporine, blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, diabetes medications, or certain other prescriptions. Check your exact medications with the tool on this page before you start.

If you're pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding, talk with your pharmacist or doctor first.

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 Mar 22, 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 Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal, straight from the product label.

Brand Dr. Mercola
Barcode (UPC) 810094210120
Net contents 120 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 22, 2024
DSLD ID 308623
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic
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 Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal by Dr. Mercola, 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
60
UPC/BARCODE
810094210120
IngredientAmount% DV
Berberine50 mg, 25 mg--
Goldenseal Root Extract1000 mg, 500 mg--
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract1000 mg, 500 mg--

Other ingredients: Pullulan, Rice Husk, Maltodextrin, Rice extract, Gum Acacia, Sunflower Oil

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: Adults, as a dietary supplement, take two (2) capsules, twice daily.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal is broken.

If you are nursing, pregnant, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult your physician before taking this product.

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.

Formulation

Blood glucose support Immune support Digestive support

Certified organic by: Quality Assurance International

Seals/Symbols

USDA Organic

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General Statements

Providing quality products since 2001.

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

See for yourself

Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal by Dr. Mercola label

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

Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal 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 Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal by Dr. Mercola

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 container60 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.

Goldenseal Root Extract

Interacts with
1,237 drugs
1000 mg per serving

Goldenseal is a popular North American herb that contains berberine, a compound studied for antimicrobial effects. However, strong human evidence for...

Goldenseal Root Extract monograph & interactions

Bitter Melon Fruit Extract

Interacts with
282 drugs
1000 mg per serving

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

Bitter Melon Fruit Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Pullulan, Rice Husk, Maltodextrin, Rice extract, Gum Acacia, Sunflower Oil. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal by Dr. Mercola Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal?

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
1,237Drugs
1 Major 1,235 Moderate 1 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Goldenseal Root Extract 1,237
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract 282

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal interact with 1,237 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

2 of the 2 ingredients in Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Goldenseal Root Extract Bitter Melon Fruit Extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal 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.

Goldenseal Root Extract16 drug types · 1,237 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Goldenseal contains berberine. In vitro and animal research shows that berberine can inhibit platelet aggregation. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used with antidiabetes drugs.
Goldenseal contains berberine. Clinical research shows that berberine can lower blood glucose levels. However, this effect has not been reported with goldenseal.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase the risk of hypotension when taken with antihypertensive drugs.
Goldenseal contains berberine. Animal research shows that berberine can have hypotensive effects. Also, an analysis of clinical research shows that taking berberine in combination with amlodipine can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure when compared with amlodipine alone. However, this effect has not been reported with goldenseal.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cns Depressants

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase the sedative effects of CNS depressants.
Goldenseal contains berberine. Animal research shows that berberine can have sedative effects. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

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

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
In vitro research shows that goldenseal root extract can modestly inhibit CYP2C9. This effect may be due to its alkaloid constituents, hydrastine and berberine. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

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

Goldenseal might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
Clinical and in vitro research shows that goldenseal can significantly inhibit CYP2D6 enzymes, potentially increasing levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 2E1 (Cyp2E1) Substrates

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2E1.
In vitro research shows that goldenseal root extract can inhibit the activity of CYP2E1. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

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

Goldenseal might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Most clinical and in vitro research shows that goldenseal inhibits CYP3A4 enzyme activity and increases serum levels of CYP3A4 substrates, such as midazolam. However, in one small clinical study, goldenseal did not affect the levels of indinavir, a CYP3A4 substrate, in healthy volunteers. This is likely due to the fact that indinavir has a high oral bioavailability, making it an inadequate probe for CYP3A4 interactions and/or that it is primarily metabolized by hepatic CYP3A, while goldenseal has more potential to inhibit intestinal CYP3A enzyme activity. Both goldenseal extract and its isolated constituents berberine and hydrastine inhibit CYP3A, with hydrastine possibly having more inhibitory potential than berberine.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Dextromethorphan (Robitussin Dm, Others)

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase serum levels of dextromethorphan.
Goldenseal contains berberine. A small clinical study shows that berberine can inhibit cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) activity and reduce the metabolism of dextromethorphan.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Goldenseal might increase serum levels of digoxin, although this effect is unlikely to be clinically significant.
Clinical research shows that goldenseal modestly increases digoxin peak levels by about 14% in healthy volunteers. However, goldenseal does not seem to affect other pharmacokinetic parameters such as area under the curve (AUC). This suggests that goldenseal does not cause a clinically significant interaction with digoxin. Digoxin is a P-glycoprotein substrate. Some evidence suggests that goldenseal constituents might affect P-glycoprotein; however, it is unclear whether these constituents inhibit or induce P-glycoprotein.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Losartan (Cozaar)

Theoretically, goldenseal might decrease the conversion of losartan to its active form.
Goldenseal contains berberine. A small clinical study shows that berberine inhibits cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) activity and reduces the metabolism of losartan. However, this effect has not been reported with goldenseal.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Metformin (Glucophage)

Theoretically, goldenseal might reduce blood levels of metformin.
In vitro research shows that goldenseal extract decreases the bioavailability of metformin, likely by interfering with transport, intestinal permeability, or other processes involved in metformin absorption. It is unclear which, if any, of metformin's transporters are inhibited by goldenseal. Goldenseal does not appear to alter the clearance or half-life of metformin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase or decrease serum levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates.
There is conflicting evidence about the effect of goldenseal on P-gp. In vitro research suggests that berberine, a constituent of goldenseal, modestly inhibits P-gp efflux. Other evidence suggests that berberine induces P-gp. In healthy volunteers, goldenseal modestly increases peak levels of the P-gp substrate digoxin by about 14%. However, it does not seem to affect other pharmacokinetic parameters such as area under the curve (AUC). This suggests that goldenseal is not a potent inhibitor of P-gp-mediated drug efflux. Until more is known, goldenseal should be used cautiously with P-gp substrates.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase the sedative effects of pentobarbital.
Animal research shows that berberine, a constituent of goldenseal, can prolong pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. However, this effect has not been reported with goldenseal.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Tacrolimus (Prograf)

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase serum levels of tacrolimus.
Goldenseal contains berberine. 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 tacrolimus dosing to 3 mg daily, blood levels of tacrolimus decreased to 12 ng/mL.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

Theoretically, goldenseal might reduce the therapeutic effects of oseltamivir by decreasing its conversion to its active form.
In vitro evidence suggests that goldenseal reduces the formation of the active compound from the prodrug oseltamivir. The mechanism of action and clinical relevance is unclear.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Goldenseal Root 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 Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal, from the product label.

Dr. Mercola

See all Dr. Mercola products
Name
NHP
Street Address
125 SW 3rd Place
City
Cape Coral
State
FL
ZipCode
33991
Phone Number
(877) 985-2696
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal by Dr. Mercola: Common Questions

Does Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal by Dr. Mercola interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal has a known interaction with 1,237 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?
Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal 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.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Berberine is unsafe in pregnancy — it crosses the placenta and has been linked to newborn harm — and unsafe while breastfeeding because it passes into breast milk. Bitter melon is traditionally avoided in pregnancy because high doses and seeds may cause uterine or other harm, and there isn't enough safety data to use it while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using any supplement during pregnancy or nursing.
What side effects might I experience?
The most common ones are digestive: stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, gas, nausea, and vomiting. You might also feel dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, or a headache. In studies, gastrointestinal side effects turned up in about 3% to 16% of people taking bitter melon. Most of these fade, but if they're severe or don't improve, stop and call your pharmacist or doctor.
Does berberine actually lower blood sugar and cholesterol?
Yes — berberine is possibly effective for both high cholesterol and diabetes based on clinical evidence. It's also possibly effective for PCOS, high blood pressure, and the bacterial infection H. pylori. Bitter melon, however, doesn't have enough reliable evidence in our data to say it works for diabetes or other conditions.
What is berberine and where does it come from?
Berberine is a plant alkaloid — an active compound — found in goldenseal root and other plants. It's been used in herbal medicine for centuries, particularly in Chinese and Ayurvedic practice, to support blood sugar and digestive health.
Can this product lower my blood sugar too much?
Yes. Both berberine and bitter melon can lower blood glucose levels. If you take diabetes medications, combining them with this product increases your risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). You'll need to monitor your blood glucose closely and talk with your doctor about whether you need to adjust your diabetes medication dose.

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.

Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Goldenseal

Interacts with 1,237 drugs

Goldenseal is a popular North American herb that contains berberine, a compound studied for antimicrobial effects. However, strong human evidence for its many traditional uses is largely lac...

Read the full Goldenseal monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Berberine

Interacts with 1,160 drugs

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

Read the full Berberine monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Bitter Melon

Interacts with 282 drugs

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

Read the full Bitter Melon monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Biothin Bitter Melon and Goldenseal'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 93 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.

Berberine 41 references
  1. Chan E. Displacement of bilirubin from albumin by berberine. Biol Neonate 1993;63:201-8. PubMed
  2. Janbaz KH, Gilani AH. Studies on preventive and curative effects of berberine on chemical-induced hepatotoxicity in rodents. Fitoterapia 2000;71:25-33.. PubMed
  3. Wu X, Li Q, Xin H, Yu A, Zhong M. Effects of berberine on the blood concentration of cyclosporin A in renal transplanted recipients: clinical and pharmacokinetic study. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2005;61:567-72. PubMed
  4. Zhang Y, Li X, Zou D, et al. Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008;93:2559-65. PubMed
  5. Huang XS, Yang GF, Pan YC. Effect of berberin hydrochloride on blood concentration of cyclosporine A in cardiac transplanted patients. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2008;28:702-4.
  6. Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82. PubMed
  7. Chatterjee P, Franklin MR. Human cytochrome p450 inhibition and metabolic-intermediate complex formation by goldenseal extract and its methylenedioxyphenyl components. Drug Metab Dispos 2003;31:1391-7. PubMed
  8. Marin-Neto, J. A., Maciel, B. C., Secches, A. L., and Gallo, Junior L. Cardiovascular effects of berberine in patients with severe congestive heart failure. Clin.Cardiol. 1988;11(4):253-260. PubMed
  9. Choudhry, V. P., Sabir, M., and Bhide, V. N. Berberine in giardiasis. Indian Pediatr. 1972;9(3):143-146.
  10. Shanbhag, S. M., Kulkarni, H. J., and Gaitonde, B. B. Pharmacological actions of berberine on the central nervous system. Jpn.J Pharmacol 1970;20(4):482-487. PubMed
  11. Wu, J. F. and Liu, T. P. [Effects of berberine on platelet aggregation and plasma levels of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in rats with reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion]. Yao Xue.Xue.Bao. 1995;30(2):98-102.
  12. Peng, W. H., Hsieh, M. T., and Wu, C. R. Effect of long-term administration of berberine on scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats. Jpn J Pharmacol 1997;74(3):261-266. DOI
  13. Sharda DC. Berberine in the treatment of diarrhoea of infancy and childhood. J Indian M A 1970;54(1):22-24.
  14. Sabir M and Bhide NK. Study of some pharmacological actions of berberine. Ind J Physiol & Pharmac 1971;15(3):111-132.
  15. Tripathi YB and Shukla SD. Berberis artistata inhibits PAF induced aggregation of rabbit platelets. Phytotherapy Research 1996;10:628-630.
  16. Seery TM and Bieter RN. A contribution to the pharmacology of berberine. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1940;69:64-67. DOI
  17. Xin, H. W., Wu, X. C., Li, Q., Yu, A. R., Zhong, M. Y., and Liu, Y. Y. The effects of berberine on the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporin A in healthy volunteers. Methods Find.Exp.Clin Pharmacol 2006;28(1):25-29.
  18. Zhang, Y., Li, X., Zou, D., Liu, W., Yang, J., Zhu, N., Huo, L., Wang, M., Hong, J., Wu, P., Ren, G., and Ning, G. Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. J Clin Endocrinol.Metab 2008;93(7):2559-2565. PubMed
  19. Yin, J., Xing, H., and Ye, J. Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolism 2008;57(5):712-717. PubMed
  20. Zhang, H., Wei, J., Xue, R., Wu, J. D., Zhao, W., Wang, Z. Z., Wang, S. K., Zhou, Z. X., Song, D. Q., Wang, Y. M., Pan, H. N., Kong, W. J., and Jiang, J. D. Berberine lowers blood glucose in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients through increasing insulin re
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  28. Hou Q, Han W, Fu X. Pharmacokinetic interaction between tacrolimus and berberine in a child with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2013;69(10):1861-2. PubMed
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Bitter Melon 18 references
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DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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