Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 3 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Brevail Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Barlean's

Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Brevail is a dietary supplement by Barlean's with 3 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for bone health and osteoporosis, correcting vitamin d deficiency, immune system support.Based on those ingredients, 715 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Vitamin D3. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Brevail by Barlean's

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 3 of its 3 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Brevail contains 3 active ingredients. Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble nutrient that helps your body absorb calcium and supports bone and immune health; it's used to treat and prevent vitamin D deficiency, rickets, and certain metabolic bone disorders.

The other two actives—Brevail and secoisolariciresinol diglucoside—appear on the label but we don't have detailed information on file for them. The capsule also holds inactive ingredients: rice flour, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, and titanium dioxide, which are common fillers and binders.

Does it work?

Insufficient 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
Insufficient

There isn't enough reliable clinical evidence to rate this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: breast and hormonal health support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Breast cancer, Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Dysmenorrhea, Menopause, Estrogen metabolism, Hormonal balance.
  • The closest evidence on file: Vitamin D is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Breast cancer (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Vitamin D is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Dysmenorrhea.

Vitamin D3 is established as effective for treating familial hypophosphatemia, osteomalacia (soft bones from vitamin D deficiency), renal osteodystrophy (bone disease from kidney failure), rickets, and hypoparathyroidism (underactive parathyroid). We don't have effectiveness data in our files for the other two active ingredients in this product.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Vitamin D

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.

Vitamin D3 is generally well tolerated at recommended doses. Very high doses taken over time can cause vitamin D toxicity, with symptoms like high blood calcium, bone loss (osteoporosis), decreased growth in children, eye inflammation, and light sensitivity.

Vitamin D is often used during pregnancy at recommended amounts, though you should do so only under your doctor's guidance; it's rated likely safe in pregnancy but possibly unsafe at higher doses. It is considered likely safe while breastfeeding at recommended amounts, but check with your doctor before taking more.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Vitamin D

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 — Vitamin D.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: heart-rhythm medications.
  • For scale: 716 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 Brevail, check with your pharmacist if you use digoxin or any heart rhythm drugs (verapamil, diltiazem), thiazide diuretics (water pills for blood pressure), atorvastatin (for cholesterol), calcipotriene (a vitamin D–like psoriasis cream), aluminum-containing products, or any other regular medications. High-dose vitamin D interacts with these in ways that could raise your blood calcium dangerously or weaken a drug's effectiveness.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

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

Brevail is useful if you're treating vitamin D deficiency or certain bone disorders and have no medications on the interaction list. If you take digoxin, any heart rhythm medication, a water pill, atorvastatin, or psoriasis treatment with calcipotriene, talk to your pharmacist or doctor first—the vitamin D3 in this product may interfere.

Stick to recommended doses and don't exceed them without medical supervision.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 3 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 24, 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 Brevail, straight from the product label.

Brand Barlean's
Net contents 30 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 24, 2023
DSLD ID 291813
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Women (not pregnant or lactating), Girls: (All), Adult Female (18 - 50 Years), Menopause, Seniors/Mature (>50 Years) - Women ONLY
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 Brevail by Barlean's, 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:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
IngredientAmount% DV
Vitamin D310 mcg50%
Brevail250 mg--
Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside50 mg--

Other ingredients: Rice Flour, Hypromellose, Magnesium Stearate, Titanium Dioxide

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.
General Statements

Breast & hormonal health as nature intended

Formula

Brevail supplies lignans, natural compounds, ingested via seeds, grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables throughout human history. Research suggests that our bodies use natural plant lignans, now as far as in the modern diet, to safely and gently buffer and balance excess estrogens. Brevail is a one-of-a-kind natural plant extract supported by university research for safety and efficacy in women.

Plant lignan extract

Formulation

Non-gmo

For the support of: Pms, mood & menopause Healthy breast tissue Healthy estrogen balance

Product of U.S.A.

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

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: One capsule per day, with or without a meal.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

Caution: Not recommended for pregnant, lactating or adolescent females and those attempting to conceive.

See for yourself

Brevail by Barlean's label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Brevail by Barlean's

These are the 3 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 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.

Vitamin D3

Interacts with
715 drugs
10 mcg per serving Form: Cholecalciferol

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps your body absorb calcium and is important for healthy bones, muscles, and immune function. Many people,...

Vitamin D3 monograph & interactions

Brevail

250 mg per serving Form: Flaxseed extract

Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside

50 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Rice Flour, Hypromellose, Magnesium Stearate, Titanium Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Brevail by Barlean's Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Brevail?

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
715Drugs
80 Moderate 635 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Brevail 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.

Vitamin D38 drug types · 715 drugs

Aluminum

Vitamin D might increase aluminum absorption and toxicity, but this has only been reported in people with renal failure.
The protein that transports calcium across the intestinal wall can also bind and transport aluminum. This protein is stimulated by vitamin D, which may therefore increase aluminum absorption. This mechanism may contribute to increased aluminum levels and toxicity in people with renal failure, when they take vitamin D and aluminum-containing phosphate binders chronically.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

Vitamin D might reduce absorption of atorvastatin.
A small, low-quality clinical study shows that taking vitamin D reduces levels of atorvastatin and its active metabolites by up to 55%. However, while atorvastatin levels decreased, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels did not substantially change. Atorvastatin is metabolized in the gut by CYP3A4 enzymes, and researchers theorized that vitamin D might induce CYP3A4, causing reduced levels of atorvastatin. However, this proposed mechanism was not specifically studied.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Calcipotriene (Dovonex)

Taking calcipotriene with vitamin D increases the risk for hypercalcemia.
Calcipotriene is a vitamin D analog used topically for psoriasis. It can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to cause systemic effects, including hypercalcemia. Theoretically, combining calcipotriene with vitamin D supplements might increase the risk of hypercalcemia.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Theoretically, hypercalcemia induced by high-dose vitamin D can increase the risk of arrhythmia from digoxin.
High doses of vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia increases the risk of fatal cardiac arrhythmias with digoxin. Avoid vitamin D doses above the tolerable upper intake level (4000 IU daily for adults) and monitor serum calcium levels in people taking vitamin D and digoxin concurrently.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Diltiazem (Cardizem, Others)

Theoretically, hypercalcemia induced by high-dose vitamin D can reduce the therapeutic effects of diltiazem for arrhythmia.
High doses of vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia can reduce the effectiveness of verapamil in atrial fibrillation. Theoretically this could also occur with diltiazem. Avoid vitamin D doses above the tolerable upper intake level (4000 IU daily for adults) and monitor serum calcium levels in people taking vitamin D and diltiazem concurrently.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Thiazide Diuretics

Theoretically, taking thiazide diuretics and high-dose vitamin D can increase the risk of hypercalcemia.
Thiazide diuretics decrease urinary calcium excretion, which could lead to hypercalcemia if vitamin D supplements are taken concurrently. This has been reported in people being treated with vitamin D for hypoparathyroidism, and also in elderly people with normal parathyroid function who were taking a thiazide, vitamin D, and calcium-containing antacids daily.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Verapamil (Calan, Others)

Hypercalcemia induced by high-dose vitamin D can reduce the therapeutic effects of verapamil for arrhythmia.
Hypercalcemia due to high doses of vitamin D can reduce the effectiveness of verapamil in atrial fibrillation. Avoid vitamin D doses above the tolerable upper intake level (4000 IU daily for adults) and monitor serum calcium levels in people taking vitamin D and verapamil concurrently.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Vitamin D might induce CYP3A4 enzymes and reduce the bioavailability of CYP3A4 substrates.
There is some concern that vitamin D might induce CYP3A4. In vitro research suggests that vitamin D induces CYP3A4 transcription. Additionally, observational research has found that increased UV light exposure and serum vitamin D levels are associated with decreased serum levels of CYP3A4 substrates such as tacrolimus and sirolimus, while no association between UV light exposure or vitamin D levels and levels of mycophenolic acid, a non-CYP3A4 substrate, was found. A small, low-quality clinical study shows that taking vitamin D reduces levels of the CYP3A4 substrate atorvastatin and its active metabolites by up to 55%; however, the clinical effects of atorvastatin were not reduced. While researchers theorized that vitamin D might induce CYP3A4, this proposed mechanism was not specifically studied.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Brevail, from the product label.

Barlean's

See all Barlean's products
Name
Barlean's
City
Ferndale
State
WA
ZipCode
98248
Phone Number
800-445-3529
Web Address
barleans.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Brevail by Barlean's: Common Questions

Does Brevail by Barlean's interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Brevail has a known interaction with 715 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Brevail contains 3 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 Brevail if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
At recommended doses, vitamin D3 is likely safe in pregnancy and during breastfeeding. However, higher doses are rated possibly unsafe in pregnancy, so use this product only under your doctor's guidance and don't exceed recommended amounts.
What happens if I take too much of this product?
High doses of vitamin D over time can cause vitamin D toxicity. Symptoms include high blood calcium, bone loss, reduced growth in children, eye inflammation, and sensitivity to light. Stick to the recommended dose and don't take more without medical supervision.
Is vitamin D3 in Brevail absorbed well?
Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble nutrient that is well tolerated when taken by mouth. For best absorption, it's often recommended to take it with a meal containing some fat, though the product facts don't specify this detail.
Can Brevail lower my cholesterol medication's effectiveness?
Yes, if you take atorvastatin (Lipitor), vitamin D3 may reduce how much of the drug your body absorbs, potentially weakening its cholesterol-fighting effect. Talk to your pharmacist before using this product with atorvastatin.
What are the inactive ingredients, and are there fillers?
The capsule contains rice flour, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, and titanium dioxide. These are inactive ingredients (fillers and binders) that help form the capsule but have no therapeutic role.

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

Not sure if Brevail 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.

Brevail label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Brevail'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 26 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.

Vitamin D 26 references
  1. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.
  2. Tatro DS, ed. Drug Interactions Facts. Facts and Comparisons Inc., St. Louis, MO. 1999.
  3. Koutkia P, Chen TC, Holick MF. Vitamin D intoxication associated with an over-the-counter supplement. N Engl J Med 2001;345:66-7. PubMed
  4. Bar-Or D, Yoel G. Calcium and calciferol antagonize effect of verapamil in atrial fibrillation. Br Med J 1981;282:1585-6.
  5. Demontis R, Leflon A, Fournier A, et al. 1 alpha(OH) vitamin D3 increases plasma aluminum in hemodialyzed patients taking AI(OH)3. Clin Nephrol 1986;26:146-9.
  6. Crowe M, Wollner L, Griffiths RA. Hypercalcemia following vitamin D and thiazide therapy in the elderly. Practitioner 1984;228:312-3.
  7. Parfitt AM. Thiazide-induced hypercalcemia in vitamin D-treated hypoparathyroidism. Ann Intern Med 1972;77:557-63. PubMed
  8. Thiazide diuretics and the risk of osteoporosis. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter 2003;19(11):191105.
  9. Moon J. The role of vitamin D in toxic metal absorption. J Am Coll Nutr 1994;13:559-64.
  10. Demontis R, Reissi D, Noel C, et al. Indirect clinical evidence that 1alphaOH vitamin D<SUB>3</SUB> increases the intestinal absorption of aluminum. Clin Nephrol 1989;31:123-7.
  11. Adler AJ, Berlyne GM. Duodenal aluminum absorption in the rat: effect of vitamin D. Am J Physiol 1985;249:G209-13. PubMed
  12. Schwartz JB. Effects of vitamin D supplementation in atorvastatin-treated patients: A new drug interaction with an unexpected consequence. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2009;85:198-203. PubMed
  13. Dietary reference intakes for calcium and vitamin D. Institute of Medicine, November 30, 2010. Available at: http://www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/2010/Dietary-Reference-Intakes-for-Calcium-and-Vitamin-D/Vitamin%20D%20and%20Calcium%202010%20Repo
  14. Cox KA, Dunn MA. Aluminum toxicity alters the regulation of calbindin-D28k protein and mRNA expression in chick intestine. J Nutr 2001;131:2007-13. PubMed
  15. Escribano, J., Balaguer, A., Pagone, F., Feliu, A., and Roque, I. Figuls. Pharmacological interventions for preventing complications in idiopathic hypercalciuria. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2009;(1):CD004754. PubMed
  16. Carlton, S., Clopton, D., and Cappuzzo, K. A. Vitamin D deficiency: appropriate replenishment therapies and the effects of vitamin D toxicity. Consult Pharm 2010;25(3):171-177. PubMed
  17. Wang, H., Xia, N., Yang, Y., and Peng, D. Q. Influence of vitamin D supplementation on plasma lipid profiles: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Lipids Health Dis. 2012;11:42. PubMed
  18. Turner AN, Carr Reese P, Fields KS, Anderson J, Ervin M, Davis JA, Fichorova RN, Roberts MW, Klebanoff MA, Jackson RD. A blinded, randomized controlled trial of high-dose vitamin D supplementation to reduce recurrence of bacterial vaginosis. Am J Obstet G PubMed
  19. Weiner M, Epstein FH. Signs and symptoms of electrolyte disorders. Yale J Biol Med. 1970;43(2):76-109.
  20. Lappe J, Watson P, Travers-Gustafson D, Recker R, Garland C, Gorham E, Baggerly K, McDonnell SL. Effect of Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation on Cancer Incidence in Older Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2017 Mar 28;317(12):1234-1243. PubMed
  21. Roth DE, Leung M, Mesfin E, Qamar H, Watterworth J, Papp E. Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy: state of the evidence from a systematic review of randomised trials. BMJ. 2017;359:j5237. PubMed
  22. Murai IH, Fernandes AL, Sales LP, et al. Effect of a single high dose of vitamin D3 on hospital length of stay in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2021.
  23. Wang Z, Schuetz EG, Xu Y, Thummel KE. Interplay between vitamin D and the drug metabolizing enzyme CYP3A4. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2013;136:54-8. PubMed
  24. Doyle D, Browne U, Brickley A, Murphy D. Vitamin D-induced hypercalcaemia and acute kidney injury in sarcoidosis. BMJ Case Rep 2023;16(1):e250580. PubMed
  25. Williamson A, Martineau AR, Sheikh A, Jolliffe D, Griffiths CJ. Vitamin D for the management of asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023;2(2):CD011511. PubMed
  26. Kinesya E, Santoso D, Gde Arya N, et al. Vitamin D as adjuvant therapy for diabetic foot ulcers: Systematic review and meta-analysis approach. Clin Nutr ESPEN 2023;54:137-143. PubMed

See these in context on the Vitamin D 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

Keep exploring