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Dietary supplement

Elderberry Chewables Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by NutriCology

Tablet Or Pill Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Elderberry Chewables is a dietary supplement by NutriCology with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for eye and vision health, antioxidant support, diarrhea and digestive upset.Based on those ingredients, 394 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bilberry fruit powder, Eldermune. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Elderberry Chewables by NutriCology

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

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

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

This product has 2 active ingredients: bilberry fruit powder and Eldermune, which is an elderberry extract. Both are plant-based ingredients used traditionally to support immune function and eye health.

The product also contains several inactive ingredients — sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, honey powder, mixed berry flavor, and a few processing aids — to make it chewable and palatable.

Does it work?

Not established
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
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: support immune and digestive health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Constipation, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Lower respiratory tract infections, Respiratory tract infections, Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Ulcerative colitis — and 3 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Bilberry is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Ulcerative colitis (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Bilberry is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • Also on file: Elderberry is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Respiratory tract infections, Constipation, Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Lower respiratory tract infections.

The evidence supporting what these ingredients actually do is limited. For bilberry, night vision shows possibly ineffective results, while claims about age-related cognitive decline, macular degeneration, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, and chronic venous insufficiency lack sufficient reliable evidence.

For elderberry, effectiveness data isn't established in our records for hay fever, heart disease, chronic fatigue, COPD, cognitive function, or respiratory infections. Neither ingredient has solid proof behind the claims you'll often see.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Bilberry Elderberry

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 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Bilberry fruit is generally well tolerated when eaten as food, but supplement safety data is limited — the safety notes advise caution with concentrated supplements. Common side effects include dark stools, flatulence, and stomach discomfort; some people report temporary GI upset or discoloration of the tongue and teeth.

Elderberry prepared from ripe, cooked fruit is generally well tolerated, but raw berries and plant parts can be toxic due to natural compounds that cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. One rare case report linked long-term elderberry use to liver inflammation.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, safety data isn't sufficient — the facts advise against elderberry supplements in these situations, though bilberry is rated likely safe.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Bilberry Elderberry

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?
  • 2 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Bilberry, Elderberry.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 394 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 with your pharmacist if you're on anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs (blood thinners), antidiabetes medications, immunosuppressants, erlotinib (Tarceva), or pazopanib (Votrient). These are the medication types where documented interactions exist.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you take blood thinners, diabetes drugs, immunosuppressants, or the cancer medications erlotinib or pazopanib, you need to check this product with your pharmacist or doctor first. Even without those medications, evidence for what this product actually does is weak.

Talk to us before starting, especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or on any regular medications.

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

Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jan 22, 2022.

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 Elderberry Chewables, straight from the product label.

Brand NutriCology
Barcode (UPC) 713947583009
Net contents 60 Chewable Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 22, 2022
DSLD ID 258958
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Elderberry Chewables by NutriCology, 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 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Tablet(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
713947583009
IngredientAmount% DV
Bilberry fruit powder20 mg--
Eldermune250 mg--

Other ingredients: Sorbitol, Xylitol, Mannitol, Honey powder, Mixed Berry Natural Flavor, Sunflower Lecithin, Nu-Flow, Nu-Mag, Sunfiber, Silicon 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.
Formulation

Elderberry Chewables support immune and digestive health in children and adults. Contains a 65:1 black elderberry juice concentrate standardized to a minimum 3% polyphenols, Sunfiber low-FODMAP friendly prebiotic fiber, and Bilberry fruit powder.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use As a dietary supplement, chew or suck 1 tablet one to four times daily with or without meals, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.

Storage

Keep in a cool, dry place, tightly capped.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

Brand IP Statement(s)

Nu-FLOW and Nu-MAG are a trademark of RIBUS, Inc. Eldermune is a trademark of Innovative Natural Solutions LLC (INS Farms). Sunfiber is a registered trademark of Taiyo International, Inc.

General Statements

Innovative Nutrition

Formula

Elderberry 65:1 Concentrate with Sunfiber

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Elderberry Chewables by NutriCology label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Elderberry Chewables by NutriCology

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Servings per container60 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.

Bilberry fruit powder

Interacts with
275 drugs
20 mg per serving

Bilberry is a blueberry-like fruit rich in antioxidant plant compounds called anthocyanins, and it has a long history of traditional use for eye healt...

Bilberry fruit powder monograph & interactions

Eldermune

Interacts with
121 drugs
250 mg per serving Form: Elderberry Juice Concentrate

Elderberry is a popular herbal supplement, mainly taken to help with colds and flu. Some small studies suggest it may modestly shorten cold or flu sym...

Eldermune monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Sorbitol, Xylitol, Mannitol, Honey powder, Mixed Berry Natural Flavor, Sunflower Lecithin, Nu-Flow, Nu-Mag, Sunfiber, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Elderberry Chewables by NutriCology Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Elderberry Chewables?

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
394Drugs
394 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Eldermune 121

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Elderberry Chewables 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.

Bilberry fruit powder4 drug types · 275 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, bilberry fruit extract might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro, animal, and clinical research suggest that anthocyanidin extracts from bilberry can inhibit platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, bilberry leaf or fruit extract may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that bilberry leaf extract might have blood glucose-lowering activity. Also, one small clinical trial in patients with type 2 diabetes shows that taking bilberry fruit extract 470 mg as a single dose prior to an oral glucose tolerance test lowers plasma glucose levels when compared with placebo.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2E1 (Cyp2E1) Substrates

Theoretically, bilberry fruit extract might decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2E1.
Animal research shows that exposure to small concentrations of bilberry extract in drinking water for around one month increased CYP2E1 activity by 31%. However, exposure over a 2-month period did not increase CYP2E1 activity. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Erlotinib (Tarceva)

Theoretically, bilberry fruit extract might reduce the efficacy of erlotinib.
In vitro research suggests that bilberry fruit extract and its constituents, delphinidin and delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, inhibit the activity of erlotinib. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Eldermune2 drug types · 121 drugs

Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, elderberry might interfere with immunosuppressant therapy due to its immunostimulant activity.
Elderberry has immunostimulant activity, increasing the production of cytokines, including interleukin and tumor necrosis factor.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Pazopanib (Votrient)

Theoretically, elderberry might interact with pazopanib, potentially increasing the risk of adverse effects.
In one case, a 65-year-old patient taking pazopanib for 4 weeks for soft-tissue sarcoma developed severe nausea, loose stools, and elevated alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels and was diagnosed with grade 3 liver injury. The patient reported taking elderberry supplements for 2 years, dose unspecified, and was also taking a multivitamin and a calcium supplement. The patient's symptoms and liver enzyme levels improved upon discontinuation of pazopanib and all supplements. Pazopanib treatment was re-initiated, at a lower dose, with no further evidence of liver injury. It was unclear in this case report if the elderberry supplements were derived from the berry, the flower, or the combination.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Elderberry Chewables, from the product label.

NutriCology

See all NutriCology products
Name
NutriCology
City
South Salt Lake
State
UT
ZipCode
84115
Phone Number
800.545.9960
Web Address
www.nutricology.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Elderberry Chewables by NutriCology: Common Questions

Does Elderberry Chewables by NutriCology interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Elderberry Chewables has a known interaction with 394 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Elderberry Chewables contains 2 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 pregnant or breastfeeding?
Bilberry is rated likely safe in pregnancy and lactation, but elderberry safety data isn't reliable enough — the facts advise against elderberry supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what's right for your situation.
What side effects should I watch for?
The most common ones are dark-colored stools, flatulence, and stomach discomfort from bilberry. Some people get temporary GI upset. Your tongue or teeth might turn dark blue or black — this is harmless but a heads-up. If you take raw elderberry (not common in supplements), nausea and vomiting are possible.
Does this actually help with vision or colds?
For night vision, the evidence says it's possibly ineffective. For colds and respiratory infections, there isn't enough reliable evidence to know. We hold limited proof that either ingredient does what marketing claims.
Why does it say 389 interactions?
That number counts all the individual medications across both ingredients — it's not that 389 drugs will all cause trouble with you, but rather these two plant ingredients affect how that many different prescription medications work. The checker on this page will tell you which ones matter for your specific drugs.
Is this safe to take long-term?
Bilberry supplement safety over the long haul hasn't been well studied, and the caution is to avoid concentrated supplements due to lack of data. For elderberry, one rare case report linked years of use to liver inflammation. Neither ingredient has strong long-term safety data, so talk with your pharmacist about how long you plan to take it.

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

Not sure if Elderberry Chewables is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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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.

Elderberry Chewables label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Elderberry Chewables'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 20 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.

Bilberry 14 references
  1. Cignarella A, Nastasi M, Cavalli E, Puglisi L. Novel lipid-lowering properties of Vaccinium myrtillus L. leaves, a traditional antidiabetic treatment, in several models of rat dyslipidaemia: a comparison with ciprofibrate. Thromb Res 1996;84:311-22. PubMed
  2. Morazzoni P, Magistretti MJ. Activity of Myrtocyan, an anthosyanoside complex from Vaccinium myrtillus (VMA), on platelet aggregation and adhesiveness. Fitoterapia 1990;61:13-21.
  3. Erlund, I., Koli, R., Alfthan, G., Marniemi, J., Puukka, P., Mustonen, P., Mattila, P., and Jula, A. Favorable effects of berry consumption on platelet function, blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87(2):323-331. PubMed
  4. Hawrelak, J. A. and Myers, S. P. Effects of two natural medicine formulations on irritable bowel syndrome symptoms: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med 2010;16(10):1065-1071. PubMed
  5. Morazzoni P and Magistretti MJ. Effects of Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides on prostacyclin-like activity in rat arterial issue. Fitoterapia 1986;57:11-14.
  6. Pulliero G, Montin S, Bettini V, and et al. Ex vivo study of the inhibitory effects of Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides on human platelet aggregation. Fitoterapia 1989;60:69-75.
  7. Bottecchia D. Preliminary report on the inhibitory effect of vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides on platelet aggregation and clot retraction. Fitoterapia 1987;48:3-8.
  8. Fdez, M., Zaragoza, F., and Alvarez, P. In vitro platelet aggregation effects of anthocyanosides of vaccinium myrtilus L. Anales de la Real Academia de Farmacia 1983;49:79-90.
  9. Biedermann L, Mwinyi J, Scharl M, Frei P, Zeitz J, Kullak-Ublick GA, et al. Bilberry ingestion improves disease activity in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis-an open pilot study. 2013 May;7(4):271-9. PubMed
  10. Hoggard N, Cruickshank M, Moar KM, Bestwick C, Holst J, Russell W, et al. A single supplement of a standardized bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract (36% wet weight anthocyanins) modifies glycaemic response in individuals with type 2 diabetes control
  11. Aichinger G, Pahlke G, Nagel LJ, Berger W, Marko D. Bilberry extract, its major phenolic compounds, and soy isoflavone genistein antagonize the cytostatic drug erlotinib in human epithelial cells. Food Funct 2016;7(8):3628-36.
  12. Prokop J, Lněničková K, Cibicek N, et al. Effect of bilberry extract (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) on drug-metabolizing enzymes in rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2019;129:382-90. PubMed
  13. Chan SW, Chu TTW, Choi SW, Benzie IFF, Tomlinson B. Impact of short-term bilberry supplementation on glycemic control, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and antioxidant status in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. Phytother Res 2021. Online ahead o PubMed
  14. Bøhn SK, Myhrstad MCW, Thoresen M, et al. Bilberry/red grape juice decreases plasma biomarkers of inflammation and tissue damage in aged men with subjective memory impairment -a randomized clinical trial. BMC Nutr 2021;7(1):75. PubMed

See these in context on the Bilberry monograph →

Elderberry 6 references
  1. Barak V, Halperin T, Kalickman I. The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines. Eur Cytokine Netw 2001;12:290-6..
  2. Elderberry (Sambucus species). The Poison Plant Patch, Novia Scotia Museum, 2007. Available at: http://museum.gov.ns.ca/poison/?section=species&id=117 (Accessed 16 October 2009).
  3. European elder. Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System. Available at: http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/pp/ppack.jump?p_null=all&p_psn=121&p_type=all&p_sci=comm&p_x=px (Accessed 16 October 2009).
  4. Raus K, Pleschka S, Klein P, Schoop R, Fisher P. Effect of an echinacea-based hot drink versus oseltamivir in Influenza treatment: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, noninferiority clinical trial. . Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2015;20;77:6 PubMed
  5. Ramachandran A, Antala D, Pudasainee P, Panginikkod S, Gupta H. A Plausible Association Between the Use of Elderberry and Autoimmune Hepatitis. Cureus 2022;14(4):e24250. PubMed
  6. Agarwal N, Mangla A. Elderberry interaction with pazopanib in a patient with soft-tissue sarcoma: A case report and literature review. Mol Clin Oncol 2024;20(5):36. PubMed

See these in context on the Elderberry 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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