Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Blood Sugar Support Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Bluebonnet Targeted Choice

Blood Sugar Support label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Blood Sugar Support against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Blood Sugar Support is a dietary supplement by Bluebonnet Targeted Choice with 5 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for diabetic nerve pain (neuropathy), blood sugar support in diabetes, antioxidant support.Based on those ingredients, 1,179 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Gymnema Leaf Extract, Cinnamon Bark Extract, Bitter Melon fruit extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Blood Sugar Support by Bluebonnet Targeted Choice

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Blood Sugar Support by Bluebonnet Targeted Choice — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Blood Sugar Support by Bluebonnet Targeted Choice

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

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 11, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 5 of its 5 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product has 5 active ingredients. Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that may help with nerve damage (neuropathy) from diabetes and cholesterol levels.

Chromium is a mineral that plays a role in blood sugar control. Bitter melon fruit extract and gymnema leaf extract are plant-based ingredients traditionally used to support healthy blood sugar.

Cinnamon bark extract rounds out the formula as a spice that may also have blood sugar benefits. The capsule itself contains hypromellose (a plant-based coating), purified water, cellulose, and magnesium stearate as inactive ingredients—these are standard binders and fillers with no active role.

Does it work?

Strong 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
Strong

Clinical evidence supports at least one of this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: support healthy blood sugar levels.
  • We looked for evidence on: Chromium deficiency, Diabetes, Diabetic neuropathy, Dyslipidemia, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertriglyceridemia — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Chromium is rated "Likely Effective" for Chromium deficiency (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Alpha-lipoic Acid is rated "Possibly Effective" for Diabetic neuropathy, Hyperlipidemia.
  • Also on file: Chromium is rated "Possibly Effective" for Diabetes.

The evidence for these ingredients is mixed. Alpha-lipoic acid is rated possibly effective for diabetic nerve damage and high cholesterol.

Chromium is likely effective for chromium deficiency (which is rare) and possibly effective for diabetes, though it's rated possibly ineffective for prediabetes. Bitter melon, gymnema, and cinnamon all lack sufficient reliable evidence—the data we hold does not establish they work for diabetes or any condition listed.

If you're looking for science-backed blood sugar support, talk to your pharmacist about what the research actually shows for each ingredient.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Alpha-lipoic Acid Chromium Bitter Melon Gymnema Cassia Cinnamon

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 5 of the 5 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 5 of 5.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 5 of 5.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

All five ingredients are generally well tolerated at typical doses. Alpha-lipoic acid is best used under medical supervision because it can lower blood sugar; headache, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting are the most common side effects, and rare cases of a serious immune reaction (insulin autoimmune syndrome) have been reported.

Chromium is usually well tolerated but may cause headaches, insomnia, mood changes, or stomach upset; high or long-term doses carry theoretical risks. Bitter melon commonly causes stomach discomfort, diarrhea, or nausea in about 3–16% of trial participants, and rare cases of kidney damage have been reported.

Gymnema is generally well tolerated short-term but rare cases of liver inflammation have occurred. Cinnamon is safe in food amounts, though high supplement doses may stress the liver over time because of its coumarin content.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is not enough reliable safety information for alpha-lipoic acid, bitter melon, gymnema, or cinnamon during pregnancy or while breastfeeding—talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using. Chromium from food or a prenatal vitamin is generally acceptable, but extra supplement doses should be avoided unless your doctor says otherwise.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Alpha-lipoic Acid Chromium Bitter Melon Gymnema Cassia Cinnamon

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?
  • 5 of the 5 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Alpha-lipoic Acid, Bitter Melon, Gymnema, Chromium, Cassia Cinnamon.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; cancer treatments; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 1,180 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.

Before taking this product, check with your pharmacist if you take insulin or any diabetes medication (including metformin, sulfonylureas, GLP-1 drugs, or others), because multiple ingredients may lower your blood sugar further. Also double-check if you use blood thinners (anticoagulants like warfarin), antiplatelet drugs (like aspirin or clopidogrel), thyroid hormone (levothyroxine or Synthroid), chemotherapy, or any drug that gets broken down by your liver's CYP1A2 or CYP2C9 enzymes.

If you take hepatotoxic drugs or have liver disease, cinnamon at high doses is a concern.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

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

This product is aimed at people with diabetes or prediabetes who want botanical support for blood sugar. If you take insulin, diabetes pills, blood thinners, thyroid medication, or any drug broken down by your liver, you need to check your medications here first—the interactions are real and potentially serious.

Even without other medications, let your pharmacist or doctor know before you start; they'll want to monitor your blood sugar, especially if you adjust your diabetes medications.

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

Assessment coverage: 5 of 5 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Dec 21, 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

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Blood Sugar Support, straight from the product label.

Brand Bluebonnet Targeted Choice
Barcode (UPC) 743715020184
Net contents 90 Vegetable Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 21, 2024
DSLD ID 316447
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Women (not pregnant or lactating), No Allergies
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 Blood Sugar Support by Bluebonnet Targeted Choice, 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 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
45
UPC/BARCODE
743715020184
IngredientAmount% DV
Alpha-Lipoic Acid400 mg--
Chromium200 mcg571%
Bitter Melon fruit extract400 mg--
Gymnema Leaf Extract200 mg--
Cinnamon Bark Extract100 mg--

Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Water, Purified, Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take two capsules once daily, preferably with a meal or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.

Storage

Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place.

Formula

Bluebonnet's Targeted Choice Blood Sugar Support Vegetable Capsules are specially formulated with a unique blend of sustainably harvested or wildcrafted herbal/botanical extracts, chelated chromium, and alpha lipoic acid to help support blood glucose levels already within the normal range.

Cinnulin PF The real cinnamon extract

Whole food-based formula

K Parve (Kosher)

Bluebonnet's KOF-K Certification #K-0000700

Formulation

Free of milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Also free of gluten, barley, sodium and sugar.

Glucose management

Made with Non GMO ingredients Soy free Gluten free

Vegan

Brand IP Statement(s)

Targeted Choice is a registered trademark of Bluebonnet Nutrition Corp. Cinnulin PF is a registered trademark of Integrity Nutraceuticals International.

Precautions

Caution: Do not use this product if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding. If you have a medical condition or taking prescription medication, particularly those to treat diabetes, consult your physician before use.

Do not use two weeks prior and following surgery.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

K Parve (Kosher) Vegan

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

See for yourself

Blood Sugar Support by Bluebonnet Targeted Choice label

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

Blood Sugar Support label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Blood Sugar Support by Bluebonnet Targeted Choice

These are the 5 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container45 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Interacts with
263 drugs
400 mg per serving

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant made naturally by the body and found in small amounts in foods. It is most studied for diabetic nerve pain,...

Alpha-Lipoic Acid monograph & interactions

Chromium

Interacts with
178 drugs
200 mcg per serving Form: Chromium Nicotinate Glycinate Chelate

Chromium is an essential trace mineral involved in how the body handles sugar and fat. Some studies suggest it may modestly help blood sugar control i...

Chromium monograph & interactions

Bitter Melon fruit extract

Interacts with
282 drugs
400 mg per serving

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 monograph & interactions

Gymnema Leaf Extract

Interacts with
851 drugs
200 mg per serving Form: Gymnema sylvestre Leaf Extract

Gymnema is an Ayurvedic herb best known for possibly helping lower blood sugar and reducing the taste of sweetness on the tongue. Some early human stu...

Gymnema Leaf Extract monograph & interactions

Cinnamon Bark Extract

Interacts with
442 drugs
100 mg per serving Form: Cinnamomum burmannii Bark Extract

Cassia cinnamon is the common, inexpensive cinnamon used in cooking, and it is also taken as a supplement, most often for blood sugar support. The evi...

Cinnamon Bark Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose, Water, Purified, Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Blood Sugar Support by Bluebonnet Targeted Choice Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Blood Sugar Support?

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
1,179Drugs
837 Moderate 342 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Gymnema Leaf Extract 851
Cinnamon Bark Extract 442
Bitter Melon fruit extract 282
Alpha-Lipoic Acid 263
Chromium 178

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Blood Sugar Support interact with 1,179 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

5 of the 5 ingredients in Blood Sugar Support interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Gymnema Leaf Extract Cinnamon Bark Extract Bitter Melon fruit extract Alpha-Lipoic Acid Chromium

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Blood Sugar Support with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Gymnema Leaf Extract6 drug types · 851 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking gymnema with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Gymnema reduces blood glucose levels in some human and animal research. In human studies, it has been shown to enhance the blood glucose lowering effects of hypoglycemic drugs. However, other research in adults with prediabetes or metabolic syndrome suggests that gymnema does not reduce fasting levels of blood glucose. Until more is known, monitor blood glucose levels closely.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, gymnema might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
Animal and in vitro research shows that gymnema can inhibit the CYP1A2 enzyme. In one animal study, oral administration of gymnema for 7 days increased the plasma concentrations of phenacetin, a CYP1A2 substrate, by about 1.4-fold and reduced the clearance of phenacetin by about 29%.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, gymnema might increase or decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
Animal research shows that gymnema can induce the CYP2C9 enzyme. In one animal study, gymnema caused a 2.4-fold increase in the clearance of tolbutamide, a CYP2C9 substrate, in rats. In vitro research also shows that gymnema can inhibit CYP2C9.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Phenacetin

Theoretically, taking gymnema with phenacetin might increase the levels of phenacetin.
Animal research shows that gymnema, administered orally for 7 days, decreases the clearance of phenacetin in a dose-dependent manner by about 21% to 29% and increases plasma levels about 1.3- to 1.4-fold when compared to control.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Tolbutamide (Orinase)

Theoretically, taking gymnema with tolbutamide might the decrease levels of tolbutamide.
Animal research shows that gymnema, administered orally for 7 days, increases the clearance of tolbutamide by 2.4-fold when compared to control.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, gymnema might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
One in vitro study using rat liver microsomes shows that gymnema can modestly inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme. However, other in vitro research using human liver microsomes shows that gymnema does not affect CYP3A4 activity. Animal research also shows that gymnema does not alter the function of CYP3A4. In one study in rats, oral administration of gymnema for 7 days did not alter the clearance of amlodipine, a CYP3A4 substrate.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Gymnema Leaf Extract full monograph & interactions

Cinnamon Bark Extract2 drug types · 442 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, cassia cinnamon may have additive effects with antidiabetes drugs.
Cassia cinnamon may lower blood glucose levels, and have additive effects in patients treated with antidiabetic agents. Dose adjustments to diabetes medications might be necessary.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Hepatotoxic Drugs

Theoretically, large doses of cassia cinnamon might cause additive effects when used with hepatotoxic drugs.
There is some concern that ingesting large amounts of cassia cinnamon for an extended duration might cause hepatotoxicity in some people. Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, which can cause hepatotoxicity in animal models. In humans, very high doses of coumarin from 50-7000 mg/day can result in hepatotoxicity that resolves when coumarin use is discontinued. Lower amounts might also cause liver problems in sensitive people, such as those with liver disease or those taking potentially hepatotoxic agents.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cinnamon Bark Extract full monograph & interactions

Bitter Melon fruit extract3 drug types · 282 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Taking bitter melon with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Bitter melon can lower blood glucose levels and might have additive effects when used with antidiabetes drugs. This might increase the risk of hypoglycemia in some patients. Monitor blood glucose levels closely.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
Bitter melon might inhibit the p-glycoprotein (P-gp) intestinal pump and increase intracellular levels of P-gp substrates. In vitro research in intestinal cells shows that 1-monopalmitin, a constituent of bitter melon, increases levels of daunomycin, a P-gp substrate. Additionally, drinking bitter melon juice has been associated with a case of acute pancreatitis in a patient who had been taking pazopanib, a P-gp substrate, for 8 years. Researchers theorize that inhibition of P-gp led to increased levels of pazopanib, resulting in pazopanib-induced pancreatitis.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Pazopanib (Votrient)

Theoretically, bitter melon might increase levels of pazopanib, potentially increasing the risk of adverse effects.
In one case, a 65-year-old patient taking pazopanib for 8 years for renal cell carcinoma experienced signs and symptoms consistent with acute pancreatitis 4 days after drinking bitter melon juice at a dose of 100-150 mL daily. The patient's symptoms, amylase levels, and lipase levels improved upon discontinuation of bitter melon and pazopanib. Pazopanib treatment was re-initiated with no further evidence of pancreatitis. Researchers theorize that inhibition of P-glycoprotein by bitter melon led to increased levels of pazopanib, a P-glycoprotein substrate, resulting in pazopanib-induced pancreatitis.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Bitter Melon fruit extract full monograph & interactions

Alpha-Lipoic Acid5 drug types · 263 drugs

Alkylating Agents

Theoretically, the antioxidant effects of alpha-lipoic acid might alter the effectiveness of alkylating agents.
The use of antioxidants like alpha-lipoic acid during chemotherapy is controversial. There are concerns that antioxidants could reduce the activity of chemotherapy drugs that generate free radicals. However, some researchers theorize that antioxidants might make chemotherapy more effective by reducing oxidative stress that might interfere with apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells. More evidence is needed to determine what effect, if any, antioxidants such as alpha-lipoic acid have on chemotherapy. Advise patients to consult their oncologist before using alpha-lipoic acid.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, alpha-lipoic acid may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro, alpha-lipoic acid inhibits platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antitumor Antibiotics

Theoretically, the antioxidant effects of alpha-lipoic acid might alter the effectiveness of antitumor antibiotics.
The use of antioxidants like alpha-lipoic acid during chemotherapy is controversial. There are concerns that antioxidants could reduce the activity of antitumor antibiotic drugs, which work by generating free radicals. However, some researchers theorize that antioxidants might make chemotherapy more effective by reducing oxidative stress that might interfere with apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells. More evidence is needed to determine what effect, if any, antioxidants such as alpha-lipoic acid have on chemotherapy involving antitumor antibiotics. Advise patients to consult their oncologist before using alpha-lipoic acid.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Thyroid Hormone

Theoretically, alpha-lipoic acid might decrease the effects of thyroid hormone drugs.
Animal research suggests that co-administration of thyroxine with alpha-lipoic acid reduces conversion into the active T3 form.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking alpha-lipoic acid with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Although some small clinical studies have suggested that alpha-lipoic acid can lower blood glucose levels, larger clinical studies in patients with diabetes have shown no clinically meaningful effect. Additionally, co-administration of single doses of alpha-lipoic acid and glyburide or acarbose did not cause detectable drug interactions in healthy volunteers.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Alpha-Lipoic Acid full monograph & interactions

Chromium5 drug types · 178 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, chromium may have additive effects with antidiabetic agents and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Some research shows that taking chromium might lower blood glucose levels, especially in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence A
Insulin

Theoretically, concomitant use of chromium and insulin might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
In clinical research, chromium has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity,

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Others)

Chromium might bind levothyroxine in the intestinal tract and decrease levothyroxine absorption.
Clinical research in healthy volunteers shows that taking chromium picolinate 1000 mcg with levothyroxine 1 mg decreases serum levels of levothyroxine by 17% when compared to taking levothyroxine alone. Advise patients to take levothyroxine at least 30 minutes before or 3-4 hours after taking chromium.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Aspirin

Theoretically, aspirin might increase chromium absorption.
Animal research suggests that aspirin may increase chromium absorption and chromium levels in the blood.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (Nsaids)

NSAIDs might increase chromium levels in the body.
Drugs that are prostaglandin inhibitors, such as NSAIDs, seem to increase chromium absorption and retention.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Chromium full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Blood Sugar Support, from the product label.

Bluebonnet Targeted Choice

See all Bluebonnet Targeted Choice products
Name
Bluebonnet Nutrition Corporation
Street Address
12915 Dairy Ashford
City
Sugar Land
State
TX
ZipCode
77478
Web Address
www.bluebonnetnutrition.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Blood Sugar Support by Bluebonnet Targeted Choice: Common Questions

Does Blood Sugar Support by Bluebonnet Targeted Choice interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Blood Sugar Support has a known interaction with 1,179 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Blood Sugar Support contains 5 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Will this help my blood sugar?
Alpha-lipoic acid is possibly effective for diabetes, and chromium is possibly effective too—though the evidence isn't strong for all the ingredients here. Bitter melon, gymnema, and cinnamon lack solid evidence in our data. Talk to your doctor; if you do take diabetes medication, you'll need close monitoring because these ingredients may make blood sugar drop too far.
Can I take this if I'm on metformin?
Not without checking with your pharmacist first. Metformin is a diabetes drug, and this product—especially the alpha-lipoic acid, chromium, bitter melon, gymnema, and cinnamon—may lower your blood sugar more than expected, putting you at risk for low blood sugar. Your dose might need to be adjusted.
Is it safe during pregnancy?
No. There isn't enough reliable safety information for alpha-lipoic acid, bitter melon, gymnema, or cinnamon in pregnancy. Chromium from food or a prenatal vitamin is generally okay, but extra supplement doses should be avoided unless your doctor recommends it. Talk to your OB or pharmacist before using this product.
What are the most common side effects?
Alpha-lipoic acid may cause headache, heartburn, or nausea. Chromium can bring on headaches or mood changes. Bitter melon most often causes stomach upset, diarrhea, or nausea—these happened in roughly 3–16% of people in studies. Most people tolerate these ingredients, but stop and contact your pharmacist if side effects bother you.
Can I take this with levothyroxine (Synthroid)?
You can, but chromium in this product may reduce how much levothyroxine your body absorbs by about 17%, making it less effective. Take them several hours apart—ask your pharmacist for the best timing—and have your thyroid levels checked regularly.
Do I need to worry about liver damage?
At normal doses, it's unlikely—but cinnamon's coumarin content is a concern if you take it at high or very frequent doses for a long time. Rare cases of liver inflammation have been reported with gymnema. If you have liver disease or take drugs that stress the liver, mention this product to your doctor first.

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

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

Blood Sugar Support label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Blood Sugar Support’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Alpha-lipoic Acid

Interacts with 263 drugs

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant made naturally by the body and found in small amounts in foods. It is most studied for diabetic nerve pain, where some evidence suggests it may help...

Read the full Alpha-lipoic Acid monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Chromium

Interacts with 178 drugs

Chromium is an essential trace mineral involved in how the body handles sugar and fat. Some studies suggest it may modestly help blood sugar control in certain people with type 2 diabetes, b...

Read the full Chromium monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Bitter Melon

Interacts with 282 drugs

Bitter melon is a tropical fruit eaten as food and used in traditional medicine, most often for blood sugar control. While some small studies hint it may modestly lower blood sugar, the evid...

Read the full Bitter Melon monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Gymnema

Interacts with 851 drugs

Gymnema is an Ayurvedic herb best known for possibly helping lower blood sugar and reducing the taste of sweetness on the tongue. Some early human studies are encouraging for blood sugar sup...

Read the full Gymnema monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Cassia Cinnamon

Interacts with 442 drugs

Cassia cinnamon is the common, inexpensive cinnamon used in cooking, and it is also taken as a supplement, most often for blood sugar support. The evidence for its health benefits is mixed a...

Read the full Cassia Cinnamon monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Blood Sugar Support'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 151 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.

Alpha-lipoic Acid 48 references
  1. Labriola D, Livingston R. Possible interactions between dietary antioxidants and chemotherapy. Oncology 1999;13:1003-8.
  2. Anon. Alpha-lipoic acid. Altern Med Rev 1998;3:308-10.
  3. Konrad T, Vicini P, Kusterer K, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid treatment decreases serum lactate and pyruvate concentrations and improves glucose effectiveness in lean and obese patients with Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 1999;22:280-7. PubMed
  4. Ziegler D, Hanefeld M, Ruhnau KJ, et al. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid: A 3-week, multicentre randomized controlled trial (ALADIN Study). Diabetologia 1995;38:1425-33.
  5. Gleiter CH, Schreeb KH, Freudenthaler S, et al. Lack of interaction between thioctic acid, glibenclamide and acarbose. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1999;48:819-25. PubMed
  6. Jacob S, Henriksen EJ, Tritschler HJ, et al. Improvement of insulin-stimulated glucose-disposal in type 2 diabetes after repeated parenteral administration of thioctic acid. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabet 1996;104:284-8. PubMed
  7. Jacob S, Henriksen EJ, Schiemann AL, et al. Enhancement of glucose disposal in patients with type 2 diabetes by alpha-lipoic acid. Arzneimittelforschung 1995;45:872-4.
  8. Jacob S, Ruus P, Hermann R, et al. Oral administration of RAC-alpha-lipoic acid modulates insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled, pilot trial. Free Rad Biol Med 1999;27:309-14.
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Bitter Melon 18 references
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Gymnema 12 references
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Cassia Cinnamon 20 references
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  8. Akilen, R., Tsiami, A., Devendra, D., and Robinson, N. Glycated haemoglobin and blood pressure-lowering effect of cinnamon in multi-ethnic Type 2 diabetic patients in the UK: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Diabet.Med. 2010; PubMed
  9. Lu T, Sheng H Wu J Cheng Y Zhu J Chen Y. Cinnamon extract improves fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin level in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. Nutr Res. 2012;32(6):408-412. PubMed
  10. Choi, J., Lee, K. T., Ka, H., Jung, W. T., Jung, H. J., and Park, H. J. Constituents of the essential oil of the Cinnamomum cassia stem bark and the biological properties. Arch Pharm Res 2001;24(5):418-423.
  11. Altschuler JA, Casella SJ, MacKenzie TA, Curtis KM. The effect of cinnamon on A1C among adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2007;30(4):813-6. PubMed
  12. Stoecker BR, Zhan Z, Luo R, et al. Cinnamon extract lowers blood glucose in hyperglycemic subjects. FASEB J. 2010;22:722.1 (Abstract only). DOI
  13. Admani S, Hill H, Jacob SE. Cinnamon Sugar Scrub Dermatitis: "Natural" Is Not Always Best. Pediatr Dermatol. 2017;34(1):e42-e43. PubMed
  14. Isaac-Renton M, Li MK, Parsons LM. Cinnamon spice and everything not nice: many features of intraoral allergy to cinnamic aldehyde. Dermatitis. 2015;26(3):116-21. PubMed
  15. Vandersall A, Katta R. Eyelid dermatitis as a manifestation of systemic contact dermatitis to cinnamon. Dermatitis. 2015 Jul-Aug;26(4):189. PubMed
  16. Wickenberg J, Lindstedt S, Nilsson J, Hlebowicz J. Cassia cinnamon does not change the insulin sensitivity or the liver enzymes in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. Nutr J 2014 Sep 24;13:96. PubMed
  17. Brancheau D, Patel B, Zughaib M. Do cinnamon supplements cause acute hepatitis? Am J Case Rep 2015;16:250-4. PubMed
  18. Shekarchizadeh-Esfahani P, Heydarpour F, Izadi F, Jalili C. The effect of cinnamon supplementation on liver enzymes in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med 2021;58:102699. PubMed
  19. Bernaola J, Valverde-Monge M, Otal-Buesa M, Cullen D, Heras-Mendaza F. Cinnamon allergic contact cheilitis. Contact Dermatitis 2023;88(5):418-419. PubMed
  20. Patel K, Howard M, Tate B. Cheilitis caused by allergic contact dermatitis to cinnamon in chai tea: A case report. Contact Dermatitis 2023;88(3):239-240. PubMed

See these in context on the Cassia Cinnamon monograph →

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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.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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