Bitter Melon Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Herbal Hills
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
Bitter Melon is a dietary supplement by Herbal Hills 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 Gourd fruit extract & Bitter Gourd fruit powder blend. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Bitter Melon by Herbal Hills
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Bitter Melon by Herbal Hills — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.
AI summaries are generated from our interaction database for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI
Ask the Pharmacist
A licensed pharmacist will answer your question by email — free, usually within 24 hours.
Got it — thank you!
A licensed pharmacist will answer within 24 hours. Keep an eye on your email (worth checking spam, just in case).
HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Bitter Melon by Herbal Hills
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.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
This product contains one active ingredient: a blend of bitter gourd fruit extract and bitter gourd fruit powder. Bitter melon (also called bitter gourd) is a tropical vine fruit used in traditional medicine and cooking.
The capsules also contain silicon dioxide and an HPMC capsule (the plant-based shell).
Does it work?
Couldn't assess
The evidence for bitter melon isn't established in the data we hold. The product facts list six conditions — amenorrhea, athletic performance, liver disease, constipation, diabetes, and indigestion (dyspepsia) — but all are rated as having insufficient reliable evidence to rate.
That means studies haven't yet shown whether bitter melon works for any of these uses, so we can't make a claim about its benefits.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Bitter melon is generally well tolerated when eaten as food, but supplement doses may lower blood sugar and cause stomach upset. The most common side effects reported in studies are gastrointestinal: heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, and belly discomfort occurred in about 3% to 16% of people taking it.
Rare serious effects include very low blood sugar (hypoglycemic coma) and seizures in children. For pregnancy, the safety data advises against it — seeds and high doses have traditionally been avoided because of concern for uterine or other harmful effects.
For breastfeeding, there isn't enough reliable safety information, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before taking this product, double-check with your pharmacist if you take P-glycoprotein substrates (a large drug class including some cancer medications), antidiabetes drugs, or pazopanib (Votrient). All three categories carry Moderate-severity interactions with bitter melon.
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.
Bitter Melon is a single-ingredient supplement with potential interactions with a large number of medications, particularly cancer drugs, diabetes medications, and P-glycoprotein substrates. If you take any prescription drugs, check this product against your medications before starting.
Pregnant women should avoid it; those breastfeeding should talk with their pharmacist first.
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 23, 2017.
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
General information
Key facts about Bitter Melon, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Herbal Hills |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 8906068411203 |
| Net contents | 700 Vegi Capsule(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Jun 23, 2017 |
| DSLD ID | 74973 |
| Product type | Botanical |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Halal |
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 Herbal Hills, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Bitter Gourd fruit extract & Bitter Gourd fruit powder blend | 450 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Silicon Dioxide, HPMC Capsule
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
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.
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
General Statements
Mfg. Lic. No. : PD/AYU/002/10
(An ISO 22000:2005 Certified Company)
Back to nature
Healthy blood sugar
~ Pure ~ Natural ~ Effective
Bitter Gourd is a traditional fruit considered to help maintaining healthy blood sugar levels & healthy lipid levels. It may help remove undesirable compounds from the body.
Contents based on standard raw material as per ayurvedic text
Brand IP Statement(s)
Product name: Karelahills
Seals/Symbols
JAS-ANZ ICS ISO 22000:2005 Reg. No.: RH91/7301
GMP Good Manufacturing Practice
Halal India www.halalindia.com
Storage
Store in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight.
Precautions
Keep out of reach of children.
Do not use if inner seal is broken or missing.
Caution: Pregnant or lactating women are advised to consume herbal products under the advice of the healthcare practitioner.
Formula
Standardized extract / 2% Bitter
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Directions: As a dietary supplement take 1 capsule twice daily, preferably before meals. It should ideally be taken on empty stomach. For better results it should be taken with warm water
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.
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Bitter Melon by Herbal Hills label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
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)The Ingredients in Bitter Melon by Herbal Hills
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.
Bitter Gourd fruit extract & Bitter Gourd fruit powder blend
Interacts with282 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...
Bitter Gourd fruit extract & Bitter Gourd fruit powder blend monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Silicon Dioxide, HPMC Capsule. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Bitter Melon by Herbal Hills Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Bitter Melon by Herbal Hills contains one active ingredient — a blend of bitter gourd fruit extract and powder — that has documented interactions with medications.
The most serious concern is with P-glycoprotein substrates (Moderate severity), a large class of drugs including certain cancer medications and other treatments. Bitter melon may block the intestinal pump that normally limits how much of these drugs your body absorbs, potentially raising their levels and increasing the risk of side effects.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Bitter melon also interacts with antidiabetes drugs (Moderate severity). Because bitter melon itself can lower blood sugar, taking it alongside diabetes medications may stack those effects and increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
There's also a documented case of a patient on pazopanib (Votrient, a cancer drug) who developed acute inflammation of the pancreas shortly after starting bitter melon juice — so pazopanib is a Moderate-severity concern as well.
Altogether, these interactions span 282 individual medications. If you take any prescription drug — especially for cancer, diabetes, or any chronic condition — run it through the medication checker on this page before you start.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
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 checkerIngredients driving the most interactions
Individual Drug Interactions
The ingredients in Bitter Melon interact with 282 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. Bitter Gourd fruit extract & Bitter Gourd fruit powder blend
AcalabrutinibCalquence
How Acalabrutinib interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Acalabrutinib interactionAcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose
How Acarbose interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Acarbose interactionAcetohexamideDymelor
How Acetohexamide interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Acetohexamide interactionAfatinib DimaleateGilotrif
How Afatinib Dimaleate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Afatinib Dimaleate interactionAlbiglutideTanzeum
How Albiglutide interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Albiglutide interactionAlogliptinNesina
How Alogliptin interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Alogliptin interactionAlogliptin, MetforminKazano
How Alogliptin, Metformin interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Alogliptin, Metformin interactionAlogliptin, PioglitazoneOseni
How Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interactionAlvimopanEntereg
How Alvimopan interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Alvimopan interactionAmbrisentanLetairis, Volibris
How Ambrisentan interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Ambrisentan interactionAmphotericin, TetracyclineMysteclin-F
How Amphotericin, Tetracycline interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Amphotericin, Tetracycline interactionAmprenavirAgenerase
How Amprenavir interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Amprenavir interactionAntidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) InhibitorGlyxambi
How Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates, Antidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interactionApixabanEliquis
How Apixaban interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Apixaban interactionApomorphineAPO-go, APO-go Pen, APO-go PFS, Apokyn, Uprima
How Apomorphine interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Apomorphine interactionApomorphine HydrochlorideKynmobi
How Apomorphine Hydrochloride interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Apomorphine Hydrochloride interactionArmodafinilNuvigil
How Armodafinil interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Armodafinil interactionAtogepantQulipta
How Atogepant interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Atogepant interactionAtropine, Morphine SulfateAtropine, Morphine Sulfate
How Atropine, Morphine Sulfate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Atropine, Morphine Sulfate interactionAvatrombopag MaleateDoptelet
How Avatrombopag Maleate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Avatrombopag Maleate interactionBazedoxifene Acetate, Conjugated EstrogensDuavee
How Bazedoxifene Acetate, Conjugated Estrogens interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Bazedoxifene Acetate, Conjugated Estrogens interactionBeclometasone DipropionateBecotide
How Beclometasone Dipropionate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Beclometasone Dipropionate interactionBeclomethasoneBeclovent, Vanceril
How Beclomethasone interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Beclomethasone interactionBeclomethasone DipropionateQNASL, Qvar
How Beclomethasone Dipropionate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Beclomethasone Dipropionate interactionBelinostatBeleodaq
How Belinostat interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Belinostat interactionBerotralstat HydrochlorideOrladeyo
How Berotralstat Hydrochloride interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Berotralstat Hydrochloride interactionBetamethasoneCelestone, Diprolene AF, Diprosone
How Betamethasone interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Betamethasone interactionBetamethasone DipropionateSernivo
How Betamethasone Dipropionate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Betamethasone Dipropionate interactionBetamethasone Dipropionate, CalcipotrieneEnstilar, Wynzora
How Betamethasone Dipropionate, Calcipotriene interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Betamethasone Dipropionate, Calcipotriene interactionBetamethasone ValerateLuxiq
How Betamethasone Valerate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder BlendP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Gourd Fruit Extract & Bitter Gourd Fruit Powder Blend + Betamethasone Valerate interactionEach 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.
Bitter Gourd fruit extract & Bitter Gourd fruit powder blend
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.
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.
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.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Bitter Melon, from the product label.
Herbal Hills
See all Herbal Hills products- Name
- Isha Agro Developers Pvt. Ltd.
- Street Address
- 55-A/B, Lonavala Co-op. Indl. Est. Ltd.
- City
- Nangargaon, Lonavala, Taluka-Maval, Dist. Pune,
- State
- Maharashtra
- ZipCode
- 410401
- Web Address
- 0091 22 2868 6868
Bitter Melon by Herbal Hills: Common Questions
Does Bitter Melon by Herbal Hills interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Can I take this if I'm pregnant?
Is it safe to take while breastfeeding?
What are the most common side effects?
Will this help my blood sugar?
What exactly is bitter melon?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Bitter Melon is safe with your meds?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
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.
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.
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.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
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
- 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.
- Welihinda J, et al. Effect of Momordica charantia on the glucose tolerance in maturity onset diabetes. J Ethnopharmacol 1986;17:277-82. PubMed
- 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.
- 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
- Aslam M, Stockley IH. Interaction between curry ingredient (karela) and drug (chlorpropamide). Lancet 1979:1:607. PubMed
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
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