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Dietary supplement

Bitter Melon 1,000 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbal Secrets

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

Bitter Melon 1,000 mg is a dietary supplement by Herbal Secrets with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for blood sugar support, diabetes, digestive complaints.Based on those ingredients, 282 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bitter Melon. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Bitter Melon 1,000 mg by Herbal Secrets

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 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: bitter melon (1,000 mg per capsule). Bitter melon is the fruit of Momordica charantia, a plant traditionally used in Asian and African cuisines and folk medicine.

The capsules also contain inactive ingredients — cellulose, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and microcrystalline cellulose — which are fillers and binders that help form and stabilize the capsule.

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 Bitter Melon product and its label doesn't state a use — see Bitter Melon'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 we have doesn't establish that bitter melon works reliably for any condition. The effectiveness ratings on file show insufficient evidence for amenorrhea, athletic performance, liver disease, constipation, diabetes, and dyspepsia.

That means the studies we have aren't strong enough yet to say whether it helps or doesn't.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient 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 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.

Bitter melon is generally well tolerated when used as food, but the supplement doses in this product may lower your blood sugar and cause stomach upset. The most common side effects reported in studies are gastrointestinal — heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, and abdominal discomfort — occurring in about 3% to 16% of people who took it.

Rare serious effects include very low blood sugar (hypoglycemic coma) and seizures in children. One case report documented kidney damage in a patient who took bitter melon extract at high doses (starting at 600 mg daily, then 1,200 mg daily) for several months; kidney function improved after stopping the supplement.

Because there isn't enough reliable safety information, it's best avoided while breastfeeding, and it's traditionally been avoided in pregnancy because seeds and high doses may cause harmful effects.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Bitter Melon

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 — Bitter Melon.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 282 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 start this, check with us about any cancer medications you take (especially pazopanib), antidiabetes drugs (insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas, and others), or any medications that are P-glycoprotein substrates — a large group that includes certain heart drugs and immunosuppressants. These are Moderate-severity interactions, so your doctor may need to adjust dosing or monitor you more closely.

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.

If you don't take any medications, especially cancer drugs, diabetes medications, or drugs that depend on the P-glycoprotein intestinal pump, this product is an option to consider — but the evidence for what it actually does isn't established yet. If you take any prescription medication, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before starting it.

Watch for stomach upset and low blood sugar symptoms if you do take it.

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 Jul 25, 2024.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Bitter Melon 1,000 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbal Secrets
Barcode (UPC) 810180028653
Net contents 120 Veggie Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 25, 2024
DSLD ID 313258
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar 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 Bitter Melon 1,000 mg by Herbal Secrets, 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 Veggie Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Veggie Capsule(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
810180028653
IngredientAmount% DV
Bitter Melon1000 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Microcrystalline Cellulose

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

Nature's best kept secret! At Herbal Secrets, we are committed to bringing you the gift of herbal supplements in their purest form, just as Mother Nature intended.

Visit us online @ amazingnutrition.com

Vitamin Angels proud supporter

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, adults take two (2) veggie capsules twice daily, preferably with a meal or as directed by a healthcare professional.

Precautions

Caution: Not intended for use by persons under the age of 18, and pregnant or nursing women.

Caution: Not intended for use by persons under the age of 18, and pregnant or nursing women. If you are taking any medication, or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before use.

Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur. Do not use if safety seal is damaged or missing.

Keep out of reach of children.

Warning: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

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

100% natural

Contains no: Preservatives, artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners, sugar, milk, lactose, soy, gluten, wheat, yeast, fish, or sodium.

An FDA regulated facility

Seals/Symbols

Made in the USA

FDA Statement of Identity

Natural Dietary Supplement

Formula

Bitter Melon 1,000 mg per serving Momordica charantia

See for yourself

Bitter Melon 1,000 mg by Herbal Secrets label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Bitter Melon 1,000 mg by Herbal Secrets

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

Serving size2 Veggie Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Bitter Melon

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 monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Microcrystalline Cellulose. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Bitter Melon 1,000 mg by Herbal Secrets Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Bitter Melon 1,000 mg?

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
282Drugs
282 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Bitter Melon 1,000 mg 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.

Bitter Melon3 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
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Bitter Melon 1,000 mg, from the product label.

Herbal Secrets

See all Herbal Secrets products
Name
Herbal Secrets
City
South Hackensack
State
NJ
ZipCode
07606
Web Address
amazingnutrition.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Bitter Melon 1,000 mg by Herbal Secrets: Common Questions

Does Bitter Melon 1,000 mg by Herbal Secrets interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Bitter Melon 1,000 mg has a known interaction with 282 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Bitter Melon 1,000 mg 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.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Bitter melon is traditionally avoided in pregnancy because seeds and high doses may cause harmful effects. While breastfeeding, there isn't enough safety information, so it's best avoided then too. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice based on your situation.
What side effects should I watch for?
The most common ones are stomach-related: heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort. A small number of trial participants experienced these. Rare serious effects include very low blood sugar and, in children, seizures. If you take this and have stomach upset or feel dizzy or unusually tired, stop and talk to your pharmacist.
Does bitter melon actually work for diabetes?
The evidence we have is insufficient to say whether it reliably helps with diabetes. It can lower blood sugar, but we don't have strong enough studies yet to confirm it works as a treatment.
What is bitter melon and why is it in supplements?
Bitter melon is the fruit of a plant (Momordica charantia) used in Asian and African cuisines and traditional medicine. It's used in supplements because it's been traditionally thought to support health, though clinical evidence for specific benefits is limited.
If I take diabetes medication, can I use this?
Not without talking to your doctor first. Bitter melon lowers blood sugar on its own, so combining it with diabetes drugs raises the risk of your blood sugar dropping too low. Your doctor may need to monitor you or adjust your medication dose.

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

Not sure if Bitter Melon 1,000 mg is safe with your meds?

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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.

Bitter Melon 1,000 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Bitter Melon 1,000 mg'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 18 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

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

See these in context on the Bitter Melon monograph →

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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