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Dietary supplement

Bladder Up Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Cardiovascular Research

Softgel Capsule Category: Fat/fatty Acid
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Bladder Up is a dietary supplement by Cardiovascular Research with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for benign prostatic hyperplasia (bph) symptoms, overactive bladder, eye and skin health (vitamin a source).Based on those ingredients, 1 medication has a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Pumpkin seed Oil. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Bladder Up by Cardiovascular Research

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Bladder Up contains 2 active ingredients: pumpkin seed oil and polyunsaturated fat. Pumpkin seed oil is the primary active component; it's been studied most for enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).

The softgel capsule itself also contains gelatin and glycerin as inactive ingredients to hold and deliver the oil.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: bladder health support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Overactive bladder, Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Interstitial cystitis, urinary function, bladder comfort.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Pumpkin is rated "Possibly Effective" for Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Pumpkin is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Interstitial cystitis, Overactive bladder.

Pumpkin seed oil is possibly effective for benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), based on the evidence we have. For other conditions this product may be marketed for — androgenic alopecia (male-pattern hair loss), interstitial cystitis (bladder pain), urinary tract infections, and intestinal parasites — the evidence is insufficient to establish whether it works.

We hold no effectiveness data for the polyunsaturated fat ingredient.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Pumpkin

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Pumpkin seed oil is generally well tolerated when taken orally as a supplement. The most common side effects reported in trials are mild abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

Very rarely, anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) has been reported. There are also two case reports of hair loss that occurred 1–3 weeks after eating high amounts of bitter pumpkin or squash — a reaction attributed to a compound called cucurbitacin found in wild pumpkins, not the cultivated seed oil used in supplements.

For pregnancy and breastfeeding, we don't hold enough safety data on concentrated pumpkin seed oil supplements to know whether they're safe; the facts note that food-form pumpkin is fine, but concentrated supplements lack adequate study. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Pumpkin

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Pumpkin.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: lithium.
  • For scale: 1 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

If you take lithium, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting Bladder Up — pumpkin seed oil may raise your lithium levels. We couldn't check one of the active ingredients (polyunsaturated fat) because we hold no interaction data for it.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Bladder Up may be worth considering if you have an enlarged prostate and want to explore a supplement option, since pumpkin seed oil is possibly effective for that condition. If you take lithium, you'll need to check with your doctor or pharmacist first — this product may affect how your body handles the drug.

Pregnant or breastfeeding? There isn't enough data to be sure it's safe, so talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Mar 22, 2023.

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

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Bladder Up, straight from the product label.

Brand Cardiovascular Research
Net contents 90 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 22, 2023
DSLD ID 283451
Product type Fat/fatty Acid
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Bladder Up by Cardiovascular Research, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2 Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Softgel(s)
Servings per container
90
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories10 Calorie(s)--
Calories from Fat10 Calorie(s)--
Total Fat1 Gram(s)2%
Polyunsaturated Fat0.5 Gram(s)--
Pumpkin seed Oil1000 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

Formula

Bladder Up is a scientifically designed supplement containing a rich source of pumpkin seed oil. This unique oil is a rich source of trace minerals, essential fatty acids, vitamins A, B and E, and contains naturally occurring phytosterols.

(Cucurbita pepo)

Formulation

Research suggests the beneficial role of phytosterols in bladder health. Cold processing methods are used in the extraction process to preserve the active constituents.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions Take 2 softgels daily with meals or as directed by a physician.

See for yourself

Bladder Up by Cardiovascular Research label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Bladder Up by Cardiovascular Research

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

Serving size2 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container90 Amounts shown are per serving.

Pumpkin seed Oil

Interacts with
1 drug
1000 mg per serving

Pumpkin is a nutritious squash, and its seeds and seed oil are the parts most often used as supplements, mainly for urinary and prostate symptoms. The...

Pumpkin seed Oil monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Bladder Up by Cardiovascular Research Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Bladder Up?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
1Drugs
1 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Bladder Up 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.

Pumpkin seed Oil1 drug type · 1 drug

Lithium

Pumpkin might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium.
Pumpkin is thought to have diuretic properties. Theoretically, this might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium. The dose of lithium might need to be decreased.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Bladder Up, from the product label.

Cardiovascular Research

See all Cardiovascular Research products
Name
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH, LTD.
City
CONCORD
State
CA
ZipCode
94518
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Bladder Up by Cardiovascular Research: Common Questions

Does Bladder Up by Cardiovascular Research interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Bladder Up has a known interaction with 1 medication. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Bladder Up contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Does pumpkin seed oil really help with urinary or bladder problems?
The evidence we have shows pumpkin seed oil is possibly effective for benign prostatic hyperplasia — an enlarged prostate. For other bladder or urinary issues like UTIs or interstitial cystitis, the evidence isn't established yet, so we can't say whether it works.
What are the most common side effects?
Mild abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are the side effects most often reported in trials. These are uncommon, but if they happen, they're usually mild.
Is pumpkin seed oil safe during pregnancy?
We don't hold enough safety data on concentrated pumpkin seed oil supplements during pregnancy to know either way. Pumpkin as food is fine, but the concentrated supplement form hasn't been well studied. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you're pregnant.
Is it safe to use while breastfeeding?
We don't have enough data on concentrated pumpkin seed oil supplements during breastfeeding. Food-form pumpkin is fine, but the supplement form needs more study. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
Can pumpkin seed oil cause hair loss?
There are two case reports of hair loss after eating very high amounts of bitter pumpkin or squash — a reaction tied to a toxin found in wild pumpkins, not the cultivated seed oil used in supplements. This is extremely rare and doesn't appear to be a typical risk with this product.

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

Not sure if Bladder Up is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Bladder Up label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Bladder Up's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 5 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.

Pumpkin 5 references
  1. Marks L, Partin AW, Epstein JI, et al. Effects of a saw palmetto herbal blend in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol 2000;163:1451-6. DOI
  2. Cho YH, Lee SY, Jeong DW, et al. Effect of pumpkin seed oil on hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2014;2014:549721. PubMed
  3. Vahlensieck W, Theurer C, Pfitzer E, Patz B, Banik N, Engelmann U. Effects of pumpkin seed in men with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia in the one-year, randomized, placebo-controlled GRANU study. Urol Int 2015;94(3):286-95 PubMed
  4. Assouly P. Hair loss associated with cucurbit poisoning. JAMA Dermatol. 2018 May 1;154(5):617-618. PubMed
  5. Gawryjolek J, Ludwig H, Zbikowska-Götz M, Bartuzi Z, Krogulska A. Anaphylaxis after consumption of pumpkin seeds in a 2-y-old child tolerant to its pulp: A case study. Nutrition 2021;89:111272. PubMed

See these in context on the Pumpkin monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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