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.

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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.

Blood Sugar Support contains five active ingredients: alpha-lipoic acid, chromium, bitter melon fruit extract, gymnema leaf extract, and cinnamon bark extract. These are supported by inactive ingredients (hypromellose, purified water, cellulose, and magnesium stearate), which act as capsule material and binders.

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: Help support blood sugar.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes), Dyslipidemia, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertriglyceridemia, Chromium deficiency — 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 (neuropathy) and possibly effective for high cholesterol and weight management.

Chromium is rated likely effective for chromium deficiency and possibly effective for diabetes, though it's rated possibly ineffective for prediabetes. Bitter melon, gymnema, and cinnamon bark all carry insufficient evidence ratings — we don't have enough reliable data to say whether they work for the conditions listed, including diabetes.

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, but each can lower blood sugar and should be used under medical guidance. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal — nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and abdominal discomfort — plus headache.

Chromium and cinnamon bark can cause skin rashes in some people. Rare serious events like liver inflammation (hepatitis) have been reported with gymnema and kidney damage with bitter melon in case reports.

During pregnancy, there isn't enough safety information for alpha-lipoic acid, bitter melon, or gymnema — the data advises against use. Cinnamon bark is considered likely safe in food amounts but medicinal doses should be avoided in pregnancy.

Small amounts of chromium from diet or prenatal vitamins are generally okay, but extra supplement doses should be discussed with your doctor. For breastfeeding, there isn't enough data on any of these ingredients, so it's best to avoid them 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, double-check your medications for interactions with antidiabetes drugs (including insulin), blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs like warfarin or clopidogrel, levothyroxine (Synthroid), chemotherapy drugs, NSAIDs like ibuprofen, and drugs broken down by liver enzymes CYP1A2 and CYP2C9. The biggest concern is a drop in blood sugar if you're on diabetes medication.

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 built for blood sugar support, but every ingredient can lower blood sugar and may interact with diabetes medications or other prescriptions. If you take any medication — especially for diabetes, thyroid function, blood clotting, or chemotherapy — check your exact drugs with the tool on this page before you start.

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about whether this supplement fits your situation.

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 Jun 20, 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) 743715020160
Net contents 60 Vegetable Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 20, 2024
DSLD ID 314966
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
30
UPC/BARCODE
743715020160
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

Made with Non GMO ingredients 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 container30 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.
Can I take this if I'm on diabetes medication?
All five ingredients in this product may lower blood sugar, so combining them with insulin or oral diabetes drugs could increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Do not start this without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first — they may need to adjust your medication dose or monitor your blood sugar more closely.
What's in this product and why?
It has five active ingredients: alpha-lipoic acid, chromium, bitter melon extract, gymnema extract, and cinnamon bark extract. Alpha-lipoic acid is rated possibly effective for diabetic nerve damage and high cholesterol. Chromium is likely effective for chromium deficiency and possibly effective for diabetes. The other three don't have enough reliable evidence to confirm they work, though they're traditionally used for blood sugar support.
Is this safe to take during pregnancy?
No. There isn't enough safety information for alpha-lipoic acid, bitter melon, or gymnema during pregnancy, so they're best avoided. Cinnamon bark in food amounts is considered likely safe, but medicinal doses should be avoided. Talk with your doctor before taking any supplement in pregnancy.
Can I take this with my thyroid medicine?
Both alpha-lipoic acid and chromium may interfere with thyroid hormone function or absorption. If you're on levothyroxine (Synthroid) or another thyroid medication, check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting this product.
What side effects should I watch for?
The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and stomach upset. Headache and dizziness can occur. Chromium and cinnamon bark may cause rashes. Rare serious cases of liver or kidney problems have been reported. Stop and contact your doctor if you develop jaundice, severe fatigue, or changes in urine or blood sugar.
Is this product likely to work for my blood sugar?
Alpha-lipoic acid and chromium have some evidence behind them, but bitter melon, gymnema, and cinnamon bark all lack enough reliable evidence to say they work. If you want to try it, work with your doctor or pharmacist — they can help you set realistic expectations and watch for low blood sugar.

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.
  9. Segermann J, Hotze A, Ulrich H, Rao GS. Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on the peripheral conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine and on serum lipid-, protein- and glucose levels. Arzneimittelforschung 1991;41:1294-8.
  10. Beitner H. Randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind study on the clinical efficacy of a cream containing 5% alpha-lipoic acid related to photoaging of facial skin. Br J Dermatol 2003;149:841-9.
  11. Ziegler D, Nowak H, Kempler P, et al. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid: A meta-analysis. Diabet Med 2004;21:114-21.
  12. Prasad KN. Rationale for using high-dose multiple dietary antioxidants as an adjunct to radiation therapy and chemotherapy. J Nutr 2004;134:3182S-3S. PubMed
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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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  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 →

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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