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 certified organic Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) dried fruit liquid extract. 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: certified organic Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) dried fruit liquid extract. It also contains Menstruum, an inactive carrier used in liquid herbal preparations.
Does it work?
Couldn't assess
The evidence for bitter melon's effectiveness isn't established in our data. For the uses listed — including diabetes, amenorrhea, athletic performance, liver disease, constipation, and dyspepsia — we hold insufficient reliable evidence to rate it.
That doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means the clinical evidence we have on file isn't solid enough to make a claim either way.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Bitter melon is generally well tolerated as a food, but supplement doses can cause stomach upset. The most common side effects — gastrointestinal ones like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn, and abdominal discomfort — happened in a small number of trial participants (about 3% to 16%).
Rare serious effects include hypoglycemic coma and seizures in children. One case report documented kidney inflammation after months of high-dose extract; the condition reversed after stopping the supplement.
The safety data advises against bitter melon in pregnancy because traditional use suggests seeds and high doses may cause uterine or other harmful effects. There isn't enough reliable safety information to know either way while breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice if you're nursing.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before you take this product, double-check with your pharmacist if you're on antidiabetes drugs (risk of low blood sugar), P-glycoprotein substrates (a large medication class that bitter melon may increase levels of), or pazopanib (Votrient) — a serious pancreatitis case is on record. Blood sugar monitoring is important if you use diabetes medication.
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 may be worth considering if you're interested in traditional herbal support, but you need to check it against your medications first — especially diabetes drugs, cancer medications, and P-glycoprotein substrates. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, or have kidney or stomach issues, talk with your pharmacist before starting.
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 Sep 25, 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
General information
Key facts about Bitter Melon, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Herbal Terra |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 7429523870809 |
| Net contents | 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 mL |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Sep 25, 2020 |
| DSLD ID | 234748 |
| Product type | Botanical |
| Supplement form | Liquid |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, Gluten 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 |
|---|---|---|
| certified organic Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) dried fruit liquid extract | 970 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Menstruum
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.
Formulation
Origin of plant material: India.
Manufactured in the USA in an FDA registered facility
Alcohol free
Dried herb/menstruum ratio: 1:3 Expertly extracted Laboratory tested 330 mg/1 mL Premium product Alcohol-free liquid herbal extract
Non GMO
No artificial ingredients, GMO, gluten, color additives, fillers, preservatives or binders. Natural Gluten Free
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Direction 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. We recommend to seek expert medical advice before taking this or any other herbal supplements.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
Notice This product has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Precautions
Caution May have contraindications.
Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredients.
Consult a physician before using during pregnancy, if nursing, or if you are on any medications.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry, dark place.
Formula
Momordica charantia
FDA Statement of Identity
Herbal Supplement
Seals/Symbols
Made in USA Made in an FDA registered facility Natural Gluten Free
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 container120 Amounts shown are per serving.
Certified organic Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) dried fruit liquid extract
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...
Certified organic Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) dried fruit liquid extract monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Menstruum. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Bitter Melon by Herbal Terra Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Herbal Terra Bitter Melon is a single-ingredient liquid extract that does interact with medications.
The most serious concern is with P-glycoprotein substrates (Moderate severity) — a large class of drugs. Bitter melon may block the intestinal pump that normally limits how much of these drugs your body absorbs, potentially raising their levels in your bloodstream.
This includes certain cancer medications and many others.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Bitter melon also interacts with antidiabetes drugs (Moderate severity). It can lower blood sugar on its own, and combined with diabetes medications, that effect could add up and cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
There's also a Moderate interaction with pazopanib (Votrient), a kidney cancer drug — one case report documented severe pancreatitis after bitter melon juice was added to pazopanib therapy.
Although these interactions span 275 individual medications, we hold no data for one inactive ingredient (Menstruum). If you take any prescription medication — especially for diabetes, cancer, or heart rhythm — run it through the interaction 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. certified organic Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) dried fruit liquid extract
AcalabrutinibCalquence
How Acalabrutinib interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Acalabrutinib interactionAcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose
How Acarbose interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Acarbose interactionAcetohexamideDymelor
How Acetohexamide interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Acetohexamide interactionAfatinib DimaleateGilotrif
How Afatinib Dimaleate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Afatinib Dimaleate interactionAlbiglutideTanzeum
How Albiglutide interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Albiglutide interactionAlogliptinNesina
How Alogliptin interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Alogliptin interactionAlogliptin, MetforminKazano
How Alogliptin, Metformin interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Alogliptin, Metformin interactionAlogliptin, PioglitazoneOseni
How Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interactionAlvimopanEntereg
How Alvimopan interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Alvimopan interactionAmbrisentanLetairis, Volibris
How Ambrisentan interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Ambrisentan interactionAmphotericin, TetracyclineMysteclin-F
How Amphotericin, Tetracycline interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Amphotericin, Tetracycline interactionAmprenavirAgenerase
How Amprenavir interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + 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:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates, Antidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interactionApixabanEliquis
How Apixaban interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + 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:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Apomorphine interactionApomorphine HydrochlorideKynmobi
How Apomorphine Hydrochloride interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Apomorphine Hydrochloride interactionArmodafinilNuvigil
How Armodafinil interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Armodafinil interactionAtogepantQulipta
How Atogepant interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Atogepant interactionAtropine, Morphine SulfateAtropine, Morphine Sulfate
How Atropine, Morphine Sulfate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Atropine, Morphine Sulfate interactionAvatrombopag MaleateDoptelet
How Avatrombopag Maleate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Avatrombopag Maleate interactionBazedoxifene Acetate, Conjugated EstrogensDuavee
How Bazedoxifene Acetate, Conjugated Estrogens interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Bazedoxifene Acetate, Conjugated Estrogens interactionBeclometasone DipropionateBecotide
How Beclometasone Dipropionate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Beclometasone Dipropionate interactionBeclomethasoneBeclovent, Vanceril
How Beclomethasone interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Beclomethasone interactionBeclomethasone DipropionateQNASL, Qvar
How Beclomethasone Dipropionate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Beclomethasone Dipropionate interactionBelinostatBeleodaq
How Belinostat interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Belinostat interactionBerotralstat HydrochlorideOrladeyo
How Berotralstat Hydrochloride interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Berotralstat Hydrochloride interactionBetamethasoneCelestone, Diprolene AF, Diprosone
How Betamethasone interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Betamethasone interactionBetamethasone DipropionateSernivo
How Betamethasone Dipropionate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Betamethasone Dipropionate interactionBetamethasone Dipropionate, CalcipotrieneEnstilar, Wynzora
How Betamethasone Dipropionate, Calcipotriene interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + Betamethasone Dipropionate, Calcipotriene interactionBetamethasone ValerateLuxiq
How Betamethasone Valerate interacts with Bitter Melon — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid ExtractP-glycoprotein Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Read the full Certified Organic Bitter Melon (momordica Charantia) Dried Fruit Liquid Extract + 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.
certified organic Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) dried fruit liquid extract
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.
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?
What does bitter melon do?
Can I take this if I'm pregnant?
Is it safe while breastfeeding?
What are the most common side effects?
Can bitter melon lower my blood sugar too much?
What's in this besides 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.
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DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
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