Bitter Melon Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Herbal Terra
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 Terra 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 Fruit Extract, Dry. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Bitter Melon by Herbal Terra
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Bitter Melon by Herbal Terra — 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
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Bitter Melon by Herbal Terra
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: Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry. Bitter melon is a tropical fruit traditionally used in herbal medicine, and this extract concentrates its compounds.
The liquid form also includes alcohol, water, and glycerin as inactive ingredients to preserve and deliver the extract.
Does it work?
Couldn't assess
The evidence we hold does not establish that bitter melon is effective for any condition — including diabetes, liver disease, constipation, amenorrhea, athletic performance, or upset stomach. All of its uses are rated insufficient reliable evidence to rate.
That doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means the research published so far isn't strong enough for us to say either way.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Orally, bitter melon is generally well tolerated as a food, but supplement doses 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 roughly 3% to 16% of people who take it.
Rare serious effects include very low blood sugar (hypoglycemic coma) and seizures in children. One case report linked long-term use of bitter melon extract at high doses to kidney inflammation that reversed after the supplement was stopped.
For pregnancy, the safety data advises against it because traditional use has avoided bitter melon due to concern that seeds and high doses may cause uterine or other harmful effects. There isn't enough reliable information to know if it's safe while breastfeeding, so it's best avoided then too.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before taking Herbal Terra's Bitter Melon, check with us if you take pazopanib (Votrient) or any antidiabetes drugs — these carry Moderate-severity interaction risks. Also double-check if you're on any P-glycoprotein substrate medications, which bitter melon may affect.
Use the search tool on this page to run your exact prescriptions.
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 take diabetes medication, a cancer drug like pazopanib, or P-glycoprotein substrates, you'll want to check with us first. Bitter melon is generally well tolerated at food levels, but supplement doses carry real risks of low blood sugar and stomach trouble.
It's not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Talk to your pharmacist before you start.
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 Nov 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
General information
Key facts about Bitter Melon, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Herbal Terra |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 7386004835958 |
| Net contents | 2 Fluid Ounce(s); 60 mL |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Nov 22, 2024 |
| DSLD ID | 324814 |
| Product type | Botanical |
| Supplement form | Liquid |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Sugar Free |
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 Terra, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry | 983 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Glycerin
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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Shake well before use. Adults take up to 30 drops (1 mL, one full squeeze of the dropper bulb) in 3-4 fl. oz. of juice or water up to 4 times a day.
Precautions
We recommend to seek expert medical advice before taking. May have contraindications and cause adverse reaction.
Consult a physician before giving to children under 18, before using during pregnancy, if nursing, or if you are on any medications.
Consult a physician before giving to children under 18, before using during pregnancy, if nursing, or if you are on any medications. Keep out of the reach of children!
Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredients.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry, dark place.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
This product has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Formulation
cGMP Made in compliance with cGMP 21 CFR 111 in an FDA registered and inspected facility.
Sugar free
Expertly extracted 100% natural Premium product
Organic alcohol
No artificial ingredients, color additives, fillers or binders.
Natural Gluten free
Formula
Momordica charantia
Organic alcohol
FDA Statement of Identity
Herbal Supplement
Seals/Symbols
Made in USA
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Bitter Melon by Herbal Terra 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 Terra
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry
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 Melon Fruit Extract, Dry monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Glycerin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Bitter Melon by Herbal Terra Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Herbal Terra's Bitter Melon can interact with several medication types, and the most serious concern involves a specific cancer drug.
Bitter melon may increase levels of pazopanib (Votrient), a medication used for renal cell carcinoma, and there is a case report of a patient who developed acute pancreatitis after drinking bitter melon juice while on this drug. If you take pazopanib, talk with us before adding this supplement.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Bitter melon also interacts with antidiabetes drugs — it can lower blood glucose on its own, so combining it with diabetes medications might push your blood sugar too low (hypoglycemia). We'd need to monitor your levels closely if you're on insulin or oral diabetes drugs.
Additionally, bitter melon may increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates, a broad class of drugs that includes certain cancer medications and other agents; the mechanism is thought to involve how the supplement affects intestinal absorption. Altogether, these interactions span 275 individual medications.
Please use the medication checker on this page to search your exact prescriptions 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 Melon Fruit Extract, Dry
BetrixabanBevyxxa
How Betrixaban interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Betrixaban interactionBictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir AlafenamideBiktarvy
How Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interactionBoceprevirVictrelis
How Boceprevir interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Boceprevir interactionCanagliflozinInvokana
How Canagliflozin interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Canagliflozin interactionCanagliflozin, MetforminInvokamet
How Canagliflozin, Metformin interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Canagliflozin, Metformin interactionCanagliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideInvokamet XR
How Canagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Canagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride interactionCeliprololCelicard
How Celiprolol interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Celiprolol interactionChlorpropamideChlorpropam, Diabinese
How Chlorpropamide interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Chlorpropamide interactionChlortetracyclineAureomycin
How Chlortetracycline interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Chlortetracycline interactionCimetidineCimetidine Injection, Tagamet, Tagamet HB
How Cimetidine interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Cimetidine interactionCisapridePropulsid
How Cisapride interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Cisapride interactionClobetasolClobex, Temovate
How Clobetasol interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Clobetasol interactionCobicistat, Elvitegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide FumarateGenvoya
How Cobicistat, Elvitegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Cobicistat, Elvitegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate interactionColchicineColchicine, Colcrys, Colsalide Improved, Gloperba, Lodoco, Mitigare
How Colchicine interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Colchicine interactionColchicine, ProbenecidColBenemid
How Colchicine, Probenecid interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Colchicine, Probenecid interactionConjugated EstrogensCenestin, Enjuvia, Premarin, Premarin Vaginal Cream
How Conjugated Estrogens interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Conjugated Estrogens interactionConjugated Estrogens, Medroxyprogesterone AcetatePremplus, Prempro
How Conjugated Estrogens, Medroxyprogesterone Acetate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Conjugated Estrogens, Medroxyprogesterone Acetate interactionConjugated Estrogens, MeprobamatePMB 200, PMB 400
How Conjugated Estrogens, Meprobamate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Conjugated Estrogens, Meprobamate interactionConjugated Estrogens, MethyltestosteronePremarin with Methyltestosterone
How Conjugated Estrogens, Methyltestosterone interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Conjugated Estrogens, Methyltestosterone interactionCortisone AcetateCortisone Tablets, Cortone
How Cortisone Acetate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Cortisone Acetate interactionCrizotinibXalkori
How Crizotinib interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Crizotinib interactionCyclosporineCequa, Ciclosporine, Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, Verkazia +1 more
How Cyclosporine interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Cyclosporine interactionCyproterone Acetate, Ethinyl EstradiolDiane-35, Dianette
How Cyproterone Acetate, Ethinyl Estradiol interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Cyproterone Acetate, Ethinyl Estradiol interactionDapagliflozinFarxiga
How Dapagliflozin interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Dapagliflozin interactionDapagliflozin Propanediol, MetforminXigduo XR
How Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Metformin interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Metformin interactionDapagliflozin Propanediol, Saxagliptin HydrochlorideQtern
How Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interactionDapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin HydrochlorideQternmet XR
How Dapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Dapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin Hydrochloride interactionDarolutamideNubeqa
How Darolutamide interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Darolutamide interactionDarunavir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir AlafenamideSymtuza
How Darunavir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Darunavir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interactionDarunavir, RitonavirDarunavir, Ritonavir
How Darunavir, Ritonavir interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, DryP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Bitter Melon Fruit Extract, Dry + Darunavir, Ritonavir 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 Melon Fruit Extract, Dry
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 Terra
See all Herbal Terra products- Name
- Herbal Terra LLC
- Phone Number
- +18083857868
- Web Address
- herbalterra.com
Bitter Melon by Herbal Terra: Common Questions
Does Bitter Melon by Herbal Terra 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 have diabetes?
What side effects should I expect?
Is it safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Does bitter melon actually work for diabetes?
Why is there alcohol in this liquid?
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