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Dietary supplement

Elderberry-V Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Douglas Laboratories

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Elderberry-V is a dietary supplement by Douglas Laboratories with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for colds, flu (influenza), other respiratory infections.Based on those ingredients, 121 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Elderberry. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Elderberry-V by Douglas Laboratories

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 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Elderberry-V contains a single active ingredient: elderberry extract. Elderberry is made from the berries of the Sambucus tree and has been used traditionally to support immune function and respiratory health.

The product also contains cellulose and vegetable stearate as inactive ingredients — standard capsule fillers.

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: Immune support and respiratory health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Lower respiratory tract infections, Respiratory tract infections, Rhinosinusitis, Common cold, Influenza — and 1 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Elderberry is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Respiratory tract infections (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Elderberry is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Rhinosinusitis, Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Lower respiratory tract infections.

The evidence for elderberry isn't well established yet. Our data shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate it for allergic rhinitis (hay fever), cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cognitive function, and respiratory tract infections.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work — it means the clinical studies to prove it aren't solid enough to call it established.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient 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 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.

Properly prepared elderberry products made from ripe fruit are generally well tolerated. The risk comes from raw or unripe berries, seeds, leaves, and bark, which contain cyanogenic glycosides and can cause nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, weakness, dizziness, numbness, and even stupor — but cooking eliminates that toxin.

One case report linked elderberry to autoimmune hepatitis (liver inflammation) in a patient with an underlying autoimmune condition; symptoms resolved after stopping the supplement and starting treatment. During pregnancy, there isn't enough reliable safety information, so it's best to avoid it.

The same goes for breastfeeding — the data to know either way isn't there. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant or nursing and thinking about this product.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient 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?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Elderberry.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: immunosuppressants / transplant drugs.
  • For scale: 121 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 you start, double-check this product against immunosuppressants (drugs that weaken your immune system after transplant or for autoimmune disease) and pazopanib (Votrient), a cancer medication — both are rated Moderate severity concerns.

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.

If you take immunosuppressants or pazopanib, skip this product — it could work against your therapy. If you're on other medications, check them with our tool first.

Otherwise, properly prepared elderberry is generally well tolerated, though the evidence for what it actually does isn't strong yet.

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

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 1, 2012.

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-V, straight from the product label.

Brand Douglas Laboratories
Barcode (UPC) 310539018385
Net contents 90 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 1, 2012
DSLD ID 9795
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Dairy Free, Sugar Free
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-V by Douglas Laboratories, 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:
3 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
3 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
310539018385
IngredientAmount% DV
Elderberry500 mg--

Other ingredients: Cellulose, Vegetable 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.
Formulation

This product contains NO yeast, wheat gluten, soy protein, milk/dairy, corn, sodium, sugar, starch, artificial coloring, preservatives or flavoring.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Usage: As a dietary supplement, adults take 3 capsules daily, or as advised by your healthcare professional. If digestive irritation occurs, take with meals.

Precautions

Stop use and consult your healthcare professional if allergic reactions occur.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Tamper resistant package, do not use if outer seal is missing.

Storage

For optimal storage conditions, store in a cool, dry place. (59(0)-77(0)F/15(0)-25(0)C) (35-65% relative humidity)

General

Formula #77403

FDA Statement of Identity

Standardized Herbal Extract

General Statements

Standardized Herbal Extract 30% anthocyanidins

See for yourself

Elderberry-V by Douglas Laboratories label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Elderberry-V by Douglas Laboratories

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

Serving size3 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Elderberry

Interacts with
121 drugs
500 mg per serving Form: Anthocyanidins, Total Acids, total Polyphenols

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...

Elderberry monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Elderberry-V by Douglas Laboratories Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Elderberry-V?

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
121Drugs
121 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Elderberry-V 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.

Elderberry2 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-V, from the product label.

Douglas Laboratories

See all Douglas Laboratories products
Name
Douglas Laboratories
Street Address
600 Boyce Road
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
ZipCode
15205
Phone Number
1.800.245.4440
Web Address
www.douglaslabs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Elderberry-V by Douglas Laboratories: Common Questions

Does Elderberry-V by Douglas Laboratories interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Elderberry-V has a known interaction with 121 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Elderberry-V contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is this safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough reliable safety information about elderberry in pregnancy or while breastfeeding to say yes or no. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice based on your situation.
What happens if I take raw elderberries instead of this supplement?
Raw or unripe elderberries, plus the seeds, leaves, and bark, contain toxins that can cause nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, weakness, dizziness, and numbness. Cooking eliminates the toxin — that's why properly prepared products are safe but raw ones aren't.
Does elderberry actually work for colds or the flu?
We don't have enough reliable evidence to say it works for respiratory tract infections. The science just isn't solid enough yet to call it established.
Can this boost my immune system?
Elderberry has immunostimulant activity — it does increase immune signaling — but we don't have reliable evidence it improves immune function in a way that matters for real-world health.
What are the inactive ingredients?
The capsule contains cellulose and vegetable stearate — both standard, inert fillers that help hold the supplement together.

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

Not sure if Elderberry-V 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.

Elderberry-V label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Elderberry-V'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 6 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.

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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