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Dietary supplement

Bitter Melon Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Bixa Botanical

Bitter Melon label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 30, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Bitter Melon 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

Bitter Melon is a dietary supplement by Bixa Botanical with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for blood sugar support, diabetes, digestive complaints.Based on those ingredients, 283 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Momordica charantia 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 Bitter Melon by Bixa Botanical

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

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Bitter Melon by Bixa Botanical

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 12, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: Momordica charantia extract, the plant compound from bitter melon. The capsule itself is made from HPMC, a plant-based capsule material.

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 Bitter Melon's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: blood purifier and detoxifier.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes), Liver disease, Metabolic syndrome, blood sugar regulation, antioxidant support — and 1 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Bitter Melon is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Liver disease (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Bitter Melon is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Diabetes, Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes), Metabolic syndrome.

The evidence we hold for bitter melon doesn't establish that it works for any of the conditions it's marketed for — amenorrhea, athletic performance, liver disease, constipation, diabetes, or dyspepsia all carry a rating of insufficient reliable evidence. That doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means the studies aren't solid enough yet for us to say.

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 taken by mouth is generally well tolerated, but be aware of the common side effects: heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, abdominal discomfort, dizziness, fatigue, and headache. These happened in about 3 to 16 percent of people in studies.

Rarely, very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or seizures (in children) have been reported. One case report documented kidney inflammation after months of high-dose bitter melon extract, which improved once the supplement was stopped.

In pregnancy, bitter melon is traditionally avoided because seeds and high doses may cause uterine contractions or other harmful effects — the safety data advises against it. While breastfeeding, there isn't enough reliable safety information, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it.

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.

Check your exact medications before starting, especially antidiabetes drugs (metformin, insulin, sulfonylureas, and others) — bitter melon can lower blood sugar and may push it too low when combined. Also double-check if you take any P-glycoprotein substrates or pazopanib, as bitter melon may raise their levels.

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.

Bitter melon may be worth considering if you're interested in blood sugar support, but the evidence for it isn't established yet in our data. If you take any diabetes medication or certain cancer drugs like pazopanib, or if you're pregnant or nursing, check with your pharmacist first.

The main risk is low blood sugar when combined with diabetes drugs.

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 Jun 24, 2020.

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, straight from the product label.

Brand Bixa Botanical
Barcode (UPC) X001ATV4V5
Net contents 60 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 24, 2020
DSLD ID 228898
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Women (not pregnant or lactating), Halal
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 by Bixa Botanical, 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:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
X001ATV4V5
IngredientAmount% DV
Momordica charantia extract450 mg--

Other ingredients: HPMC Vegetarian Capsule

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.
Precautions

Warning: This product is not intended for use by those with serious medical condition or pregnant or lactating women. Consult your physician before use.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if seal is broken.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and this product is a food supplement and not intended to diagnose treat or cure or prevent any disease.

Seals/Symbols

Halal Mumbai India Halal Committee Registration No. 0854 K LBD (Kosher) Good manufacturing practices GMP

Formulation

Vegan

Blood purifier & detoxifier

Formula

K LBD (Kosher)

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: 1 capsules 3 times daily before food or as directed by physician

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place.

General Statements

Neutral code: MP/25D/9/89

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

See for yourself

Bitter Melon by Bixa Botanical label

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

Bitter Melon 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 Bitter Melon by Bixa Botanical

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Momordica charantia extract

Interacts with
283 drugs
450 mg per serving Form: Bitters

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...

Momordica charantia extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: HPMC Vegetarian Capsule. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Bitter Melon by Bixa Botanical Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Bitter Melon?

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
283Drugs
283 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Momordica charantia extract 283

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Bitter Melon interact with 283 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Bitter Melon interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Momordica charantia extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Bitter Melon 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.

Momordica charantia extract3 drug types · 283 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
Momordica charantia extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Bixa Botanical

See all Bixa Botanical products
Name
Jairamdass Khushiram
Street Address
Plot No - M -14/14-1, MIDC, Taloja
City
410 208 Maharasthra
Phone Number
00-91-22-2783 1232
Web Address
www.bixabotanical.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Bitter Melon by Bixa Botanical: Common Questions

Does Bitter Melon by Bixa Botanical interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Bitter Melon has a known interaction with 283 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Bitter Melon contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Will bitter melon make my blood sugar too low if I'm on insulin or metformin?
Bitter melon can lower blood sugar on its own, so when you combine it with diabetes drugs, there's a real risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). You'd need to monitor your blood glucose closely and work with your doctor or pharmacist — never adjust your diabetes medication on your own.
What are the most common side effects I might notice?
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, and stomach discomfort. These happened in about 3 to 16 percent of people taking it in studies. You might also experience dizziness, fatigue, or headache.
Is it safe to take while I'm pregnant?
No — the safety data advises against bitter melon in pregnancy because seeds and high doses may cause uterine contractions or other harmful effects. Talk with your doctor or midwife about alternatives.
Can I use it while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough reliable safety information to know either way. It's best to avoid it while breastfeeding and talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
Does bitter melon actually work for diabetes or blood sugar control?
The evidence we hold doesn't establish that it works for diabetes — we rate the evidence as insufficient. That means the studies so far aren't solid enough for us to say either way.
What's in this supplement besides the bitter melon extract?
The capsule itself is made from HPMC, a plant-based capsule material. There are no other active ingredients.

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.

Bitter Melon label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Bitter Melon’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Bitter Melon

Interacts with 283 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

Bitter Melon'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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