Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 2 of 5 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Extra Bitter Melon Extract Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by CATALO

Extra Bitter Melon Extract label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 30, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Extra Bitter Melon Extract 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

Extra Bitter Melon Extract is a dietary supplement by CATALO with 5 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for replacing fluids and electrolytes, preventing dehydration during exercise or illness, treating low blood sodium (under medical care).Based on those ingredients, 463 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bitter Melon Extract, Natural, Sodium. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Extra Bitter Melon Extract by CATALO

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Extra Bitter Melon Extract by CATALO — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Extra Bitter Melon Extract by CATALO

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 30, 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 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains two active ingredients: sodium and bitter melon extract. Sodium is an essential mineral your body needs in small amounts to regulate fluid balance and nerve function.

Bitter melon is a plant extract traditionally used in Asian and African medicine, though its role in managing specific health conditions isn't well established in reliable research. The capsule also holds inactive ingredients — pullulan, cellulose, and magnesium stearate — which help form and stabilize the supplement.

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: stabilize blood sugar and blood pressure.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes), Metabolic syndrome, Obesity, Hypertension, Dyslipidemia — and 1 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Bitter Melon is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Diabetes (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Bitter Melon is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Obesity, Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes), Metabolic syndrome.

The evidence for bitter melon's effectiveness on the conditions listed — amenorrhea, athletic performance, liver disease, constipation, diabetes, and indigestion — is insufficient; we don't have reliable data showing it works for any of these. Sodium's effectiveness is limited to helping prevent kidney damage from amphotericin B (an antifungal) and treating cystic fibrosis, where it's likely effective for the latter.

For the other conditions listed, the evidence doesn't support its use.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Sodium Bitter Melon

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.

Sodium is well tolerated in normal dietary amounts, but this product contains supplemental sodium, which you should approach cautiously. Too much sodium is linked to high blood pressure, heart strain, and kidney disease — and some research suggests it may raise gastric cancer risk.

Bitter melon is generally well tolerated when eaten as food, but as a supplement it can cause stomach upset, including heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation in about 3% to 16% of people who take it. Rarely, it can lower blood sugar dangerously or, in one case, cause kidney injury.

During pregnancy, bitter melon's seeds and high doses have traditionally been avoided because of concerns about uterine effects; we don't have enough safety data to say it's safe while breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Sodium Bitter Melon

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 — Bitter Melon, Sodium.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications; lithium.
  • For scale: 463 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.

If you take blood pressure drugs (antihypertensives), diabetes medications, lithium, corticosteroids, didanosine, sodium phosphate, tolvaptan, or other sodium-containing drugs, or if you're on pazopanib or any drug that's a P-glycoprotein substrate, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding this product. Sodium can reduce how well blood pressure drugs work and raise sodium levels dangerously alongside certain medications, while bitter melon can lower blood sugar too far or increase levels of some cancer drugs.

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.

This product combines sodium and bitter melon — both of which interact with a number of medications and carry safety caveats when taken as supplements. If you take blood pressure drugs, diabetes medications, lithium, corticosteroids, or certain cancer treatments, or if you have high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart problems, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

The same goes if you're pregnant, planning to breastfeed, or considering this for a specific health condition — the evidence for its effectiveness is limited.

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 Feb 22, 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 Extra Bitter Melon Extract, straight from the product label.

Brand CATALO
Net contents 60 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 22, 2024
DSLD ID 303058
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating)
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 Extra Bitter Melon Extract by CATALO, 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
IngredientAmount% DV
Sodium0.3 mg--
Carbohydrates0.8 Gram(s)--
Energy4 Kcal--
Total Fat0 Gram(s)--
Saturated Fat0 Gram(s)--
Trans Fat0 Gram(s)--
Protein0.05 Gram(s)--
Sugars0 Gram(s)--
Bitter Melon Extract, Natural800 mg--

Other ingredients: Pullulan, 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.
Formula

CATALO Extra Bitter Melon Extract Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd or bitter cucumber, is well known for its nutritional value. Extracted by special technology, CATALO Extra bitter melon extract may assist in stabilizing blood pressure and maintaining cardiovascular health, and is easily digested and absorbed by the body. Studies show that Charantins, which are found in bitter melon, may assist in stabilizing blood sugar level. It is effective in alleviating dry mouth, fatigue and skin irritation. Bitter melon also helps maintain blood vessels' elasticity. It is good for detoxification, regulating body metabolism, and fighting against harmful free radicals.

Suitable for: Concerned about blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol level, overweight, having greasy/high sugar diet, lack of fruits and vegetables intake, enhance immunity, concerned about skin condition

High Charantins Concentration

Formulation

Main Functions: May assist in stabilizing blood sugar level Alleviate dry mouth, fatigue and skin irritation May assist in stabilizing blood pressure and improve blood vessels health Powerful anti-oxidant and delay aging.

Cardiovascular Health Detoxificaiton May assist in stabilizing blood sugar level & blood pressure Strong Anti-oxidative Effect

This product is made from natural sources and may have color variation. This is a normal phenomenon and does not affect product quality.

Made in USA

Brand IP Statement(s)

1. B. Joseph, et al. (2013), Asian Pac J. Trop Dis., 3(2); 93-102

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Serving Directions For adults, take 2 capsules daily. For people with blood sugar level concern, take 2 capsules 2-3 times daily. Take after meal. Take 2-3 months or more continuously for the best result.

Storage

Storage Keep in a dry and cool place. Avoid direct sunlight

Precautions

Not suitable for children and pregnant women

Not suitable for children and pregnant women

Please consult health professionals before taking if you are at risk of hypoglycemia. This product is not registered under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance or the Chinese Medicine Ordinance. Any claim made for it has not been subject to evaluation for such registration.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease.

Seals/Symbols

Certified Good Manufacturing Practices cGMP

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

See for yourself

Extra Bitter Melon Extract by CATALO label

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

Extra Bitter Melon Extract 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 Extra Bitter Melon Extract by CATALO

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.

Sodium

Interacts with
205 drugs
0.3 mg per serving

Sodium is an essential mineral and electrolyte your body needs to balance fluids, support nerves, and help muscles work. Most people in modern diets g...

Sodium monograph & interactions

Carbohydrates

0.8 Gram(s) per serving

Energy

4 Kcal per serving

Protein

0.05 Gram(s) per serving

Bitter Melon Extract, Natural

Interacts with
283 drugs
800 mg per serving Form: Charantin

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 Extract, Natural monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Extra Bitter Melon Extract by CATALO Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Extra Bitter Melon Extract?

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
463Drugs
463 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Bitter Melon Extract, Natural 283
Sodium 205

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Extra Bitter Melon Extract interact with 463 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

2 of the 5 ingredients in Extra Bitter Melon Extract interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Bitter Melon Extract, Natural Sodium

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Extra Bitter Melon Extract 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.

Bitter Melon Extract, Natural3 drug types · 283 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 Extract, Natural full monograph & interactions

Sodium7 drug types · 205 drugs

Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, a high intake of dietary sodium might reduce the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs.
High intake of dietary sodium can increase systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Also, high intake of sodium may necessitate increased use of antihypertensive medications to achieve blood pressure control in some patients, such as those with chronic kidney disease.

Likelihood Probable Evidence A
Corticosteroids

Concomitant use of mineralocorticoids and some glucocorticoids with sodium supplements might increase the risk of hypernatremia.
Mineralocorticoids and some glucocorticoids (corticosteroids) cause sodium retention. This effect is dose-related and depends on mineralocorticoid potency. It is most common with hydrocortisone, cortisone, and fludrocortisone, followed by prednisone and prednisolone.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Didanosine (Videx)

Concomitant use of didanosine with additional sodium from dietary or supplemental sources may increase the risk of hypernatremia.
Didanosine formulations contain a significant amount of sodium.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
Lithium

Altering dietary intake of sodium might alter the levels and clinical effects of lithium.
High sodium intake can reduce plasma concentrations of lithium by increasing lithium excretion. Reducing sodium intake can significantly increase plasma concentrations of lithium and cause lithium toxicity in patients being treated with lithium carbonate. Stabilizing sodium intake is shown to reduce the percentage of patients with lithium level fluctuations above 0.8 mEq/L. Patients taking lithium should avoid significant alterations in their dietary intake of sodium.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Sodium Phosphates

Theoretically, concomitant use of sodium phosphate with sodium supplements might increase the risk of hypernatremia.
Use of high doses (> 45 mL in 24 hours) of sodium phosphate, such as those used for bowel cleansing before surgery, can lead to serious electrolyte disturbances, including hypernatremia. The risk of hypernatremia is highest in the elderly and people with other risk factors for electrolyte disturbances.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Sodium-Containing Drugs

Concomitant use of sodium-containing drugs with additional sodium from dietary or supplemental sources may increase the risk of hypernatremia and long-term sodium-related complications.
The Chronic Disease Risk Reduction (CDRR) intake level of 2.3 grams of sodium daily indicates the intake at which it is believed that chronic disease risk increases for the apparently healthy population. Some medications contain high quantities of sodium. When used in conjunction with sodium supplements or high-sodium diets, the CDRR may be exceeded. Additionally, concomitant use may increase the risk for hypernatremia; this risk is highest in the elderly and people with other risk factors for electrolyte disturbances.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Tolvaptan (Samsca)

Theoretically, concomitant use of tolvaptan with sodium might increase the risk of hypernatremia.
Tolvaptan is a vasopressin receptor 2 antagonist that is used to increase sodium levels in patients with hyponatremia. Patients taking tolvaptan should use caution with the use of sodium salts such as sodium chloride.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
Sodium full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Extra Bitter Melon Extract, from the product label.

CATALO

See all CATALO products
Name
CATALO Natural Health USA Inc.
City
City of Industry
State
CA
ZipCode
91748
Web Address
CATALO.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Extra Bitter Melon Extract by CATALO: Common Questions

Does Extra Bitter Melon Extract by CATALO interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Extra Bitter Melon Extract has a known interaction with 463 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Extra Bitter Melon Extract contains 5 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Will this lower my blood sugar?
Bitter melon can lower blood glucose levels. If you take diabetes medication, this combination could push your blood sugar dangerously low. Monitor your levels closely and talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product alongside any diabetes drug.
Is it safe if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Bitter melon's seeds and high doses have been traditionally avoided in pregnancy because of concerns about uterine effects. We don't have enough safety data for breastfeeding. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this supplement.
What's the stomach upset I might experience?
Bitter melon commonly causes heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort — affecting about 3% to 16% of people who take it. Less often, it can cause dizziness, fatigue, flatulence, or headache.
Can I take this with my blood pressure medication?
High sodium intake can reduce how well blood pressure drugs work and may require your doctor to increase your dose. The sodium in this product could worsen that effect, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining them.
What is bitter melon used for?
Bitter melon is traditionally used for diabetes, liver disease, constipation, and digestive upset, but reliable evidence showing it works for these conditions isn't available in our data. It does have a well-documented effect of lowering blood sugar.
Why does this supplement have sodium in it?
Sodium has documented effectiveness for cystic fibrosis and possibly for preventing kidney damage from certain antifungal drugs. However, it's also essential in small amounts — too much is linked to high blood pressure and heart strain.

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.

Extra Bitter Melon Extract label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Extra Bitter Melon Extract’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Sodium

Interacts with 205 drugs

Sodium is an essential mineral and electrolyte your body needs to balance fluids, support nerves, and help muscles work. Most people in modern diets get more than enough—often too much—from...

Read the full Sodium monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Bitter Melon

Interacts with 283 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 →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Extra Bitter Melon Extract'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 56 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.

Sodium 38 references
  1. Garabedian-Ruffalo SM, Ruffalo RL. Drug and nutrient interactions. Am Fam Physician 1986;33:165-74.
  2. Food and Drug Administration Science Background: Safety of Sodium Phosphates Oral Solution. September 17, 2001. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/safety/sodiumphospate.htm
  3. Coton T, Mallaret C, Coilliot C, Carre D, Guisset M. Severe acute ulcerated gastritis induced by salt. Presse Med 2009;38(3):499-500. PubMed
  4. Frings-Meuthen P, Buehlmeier J, Baecker N, et al. High sodium chloride intake exacerbates immobilization-induced bone resorption and protein losses. J Appl Physiol 2011;111(2):537-542. PubMed
  5. Frings-Meuthen P, Baecker N, Heer M. Low-grade metabolic acidosis may be the cause of sodium chloride-induced exaggerated bone resorption. J Bone Miner Res 2008;23(4):517-524. PubMed
  6. Alam S, Johnson AG. A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT) among healthy normotensive and essential hypertensive elderly patients to determine the effect of high salt (NaCl) diet of blood pressure. J Hum Hypertens 1999;13(6):367-74.
  7. Boudville N, Ward S, Benaroia M, House AA. Increased sodium intake correlates with greater use of antihypertensive agents by subjects with chronic kidney disease. Am J Hypertens 2005;18(10):1300-5. PubMed
  8. Bennett WM. Drug interactions and consequences of sodium restriction. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;65(2 Suppl):678S-681S. PubMed
  9. Okusa MD, Crystal LJ. Clinical manifestations and management of acute lithium intoxication. Am J Med 1994;97(4):383-9. PubMed
  10. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary reference intakes for water, potassium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2005. Available at: http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10925. DOI
  11. D'Elia L, Rossi G, Ippolito R, Cappuccio FP, Strazzullo P. Habitual salt intake and risk of gastric cancer: a meta-analysis of prospective studies. Clin Nutr 2012;31(4):489-98. PubMed
  12. Goldsmith SR. Hyponatremia in heart failure: time for a trial. J Card Fail 2013;19(6):398-400. PubMed
  13. Willocks L, Brettle R, Keen J, Valentine C, Pinching AJ. Formulations of didanosine (ddI) and salt overload. Lancet 1992;339(8786):190.
  14. Chen L, Zhang Z, Chen W, Whelton PK, Appel LJ. Lower Sodium Intake and Risk of Headaches: Results From the Trial of Nonpharmacologic Interventions in the Elderly. Am J Public Health. 2016;106(7):1270-5. PubMed
  15. Cook NR, Appel LJ, Whelton PK. Lower levels of sodium intake and reduced cardiovascular risk. Circulation. 2014;129(9):981-9. PubMed
  16. Cook NR, Appel LJ, Whelton PK. Sodium Intake and All-Cause Mortality Over 20 Years in the Trials of Hypertension Prevention. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2016;68(15):1609-1617. PubMed
  17. Mente A, O'Donnell M, Rangarajan S, et al. Associations of urinary sodium excretion with cardiovascular events in individuals with and without hypertension: a pooled analysis of data from four studies. Lancet. 2016;388(10043):465-75. PubMed
  18. Moosavian SP, Haghighatdoost F, Surkan PJ, Azadbakht L. Salt and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2017;68(3):265-277. PubMed
  19. O'Donnell M, Mente A, Rangarajan S, et al. Urinary sodium and potassium excretion, mortality, and cardiovascular events. N Engl J Med. 2014;371(7):612-23. DOI
  20. Poggio R, Gutierrez L, Matta MG, Elorriaga N, Irazola V, Rubinstein A. Daily sodium consumption and CVD mortality in the general population: systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Public Health Nutr. 2015;18(4):695-704. PubMed
  21. Stallings VA, Harrison M, Oria M; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium, Food and Nutrition Board, Health and Medicine Division, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Washington (DC): National Acad
  22. Mahtani KR, Heneghan C, Onakpoya I, et al. Reduced Salt Intake for Heart Failure: A Systematic Review. JAMA Intern Med. 2018 Dec 1;178(12):1693-1700. PubMed
  23. Yancy CW. Sodium Restriction in Heart Failure: Too Much Uncertainty-Do the Trials. JAMA Intern Med. 2018 Dec 1;178(12):1700-1701. PubMed
  24. He FJ, Campbell NRC, Ma Y, MacGregor GA, Cogswell ME, Cook NR. Errors in estimating usual sodium intake by the Kawasaki formula alter its relationship with mortality: implications for public health. Int J Epidemiol. 2018;47(6):1784-1795. PubMed
  25. Murthy K, Ondrey GJ, Malkani N, et al. THE EFFECTS OF HYPONATREMIA ON BONE DENSITY AND FRACTURES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS. Endocr Pract. 2019;25(4):366-378. PubMed
  26. Messerli FH, Hofstetter L, Syrogiannouli L, et al. Sodium intake, life expectancy, and all-cause mortality. Eur Heart J 2021;42(21):2103-2112. PubMed
  27. Graudal NA, Hubeck-Graudal T, Jurgens G. Effects of low sodium diet versus high sodium diet on blood pressure, renin, aldosterone, catecholamines, cholesterol, and triglyceride. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020;12(12):CD004022. PubMed
  28. Giatti S, Santos RB, Aielo AN, et al. Association of sodium with obstructive sleep apnea. The ELSA-Brasil study. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2021;18(3):502-510. PubMed
  29. Nan X, Lu H, Wu J, et al. The interactive association between sodium intake, alcohol consumption and hypertension among elderly in northern China: a cross-sectional study. BMC Geriatr 2021;21(1):135. PubMed
  30. Kyozuka H, Fukusda T, Murata T, et al. Impact of preconception sodium intake on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: The Japan Environment and Children's study. Pregnancy Hypertens 2021;23:66-72. PubMed
  31. Zhao L, Ogden CL, Yang Q, et al. Association of usual sodium intake with obesity among US children and adolescents, NHANES 2009-2016. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2021;29(3):587-594. PubMed
  32. Ma Y, He FJ, Sun Q, et al. 24-Hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion and cardiovascular risk. N Engl J Med 2022;386(3):252-263. PubMed
  33. Liu J, Yang X, Zhang P, et al. Association of urinary sodium excretion and left ventricular hypertrophy in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021;12:728493. PubMed
  34. Filippini T, Malavolti M, Whelton PK, Vinceti M. Sodium intake and risk of hypertension: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational cohort studies. Curr Hypertens Rep 2022;24(5):133-144. PubMed
  35. Wang DD, Li Y, Nguyen XT, et al. Dietary sodium and potassium intake and risk of non-fatal cardiovascular diseases: The million veteran program. Nutrients 2022;14(5):1121. PubMed
  36. Kwak JH, Park CH, Eun CS, et al. The associations of dietary intake of high sodium and low zinc with gastric cancer mortality: A prospective cohort study in Korea. Nutr Cancer 2022;74(10):3501-3508. PubMed
  37. George S, Maiti R, Mishra BR, Jena M, Mohapatra D. Effect of regulated add-on sodium chloride intake on stabilization of serum lithium concentration in bipolar disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Bipolar Disord 2023;25(1):66-75. PubMed
  38. Zhou TL, Schütten MTJ, Kroon AA, et al. Urinary Sodium Excretion and Salt Intake Are Not Associated With Blood Pressure Variability in a White General Population. J Am Heart Assoc 2023;12(1):e026578. PubMed

See these in context on the Sodium monograph →

Bitter Melon 18 references
  1. Leatherdale B, Panesar RK, Singh G, et al. Improvement in glucose tolerance due to Momordica charantia. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1981;282:1823-4.
  2. Welihinda J, et al. Effect of Momordica charantia on the glucose tolerance in maturity onset diabetes. J Ethnopharmacol 1986;17:277-82. PubMed
  3. Srivastava Y, Venkatakrishna-Bhatt H, Verma Y, et al. Antidiabetic and adaptogenic properties of Momordica charantia extract: An experimental and clinical evaluation. Phytother Res 1993;7:285-9.
  4. Baldwa VS, Bhandari CM, Pangaria A, Goyal RK. Clinical trial in patients with diabetes mellitus of an insulin-like compound obtained from plant sources. Ups J Med Sci 1977;82:39-41. PubMed
  5. Aslam M, Stockley IH. Interaction between curry ingredient (karela) and drug (chlorpropamide). Lancet 1979:1:607. PubMed
  6. Ahmad N, Hassan MR, Halder H, Bennoor KS. Effect of Momordica charantia (Karolla) extracts on fasting and postprandial serum glucose levels in NIDDM patients (abstract). Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 1999;25:11-3.
  7. Basch E, Gabardi S, Ulbricht C. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia): a review of efficacy and safety. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2003;60:356-9. PubMed
  8. Yin RV, Lee NC, Hirpara H, Phung OJ. T. The effect of bitter melon (Mormordica charantia) in patients with diabetes mellitus: s systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Diabetes. 2014;4:e145.
  9. Rahman IU, Khan RU, Rahman KU, Bashir M. Lower hypoglycemic but higher antiatherogenic effects of bitter melon than glibenclamide in type 2 diabetic patients. Nutr J. 2015;14:13. PubMed
  10. Alam MA, Uddin R, Subhan N, Rahman MM, Jain P, Reza HM. Beneficial role of bitter melon supplementation in obesity and related complications in metabolic syndrome. J Lipids. 2015;2015:496169. PubMed
  11. Konishi T, Satsu H, Hatsugai Y, et al. Inhibitory effect of a bitter melon extract on the P-glycoprotein activity in intestinal Caco-2 cells. Br J Pharmacol. 2004;143(3):379-87. PubMed
  12. Peter EL, Kasali FM, Deyno S, et al. Momordica charantia L. lowers elevated glycaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2019;231:311-24. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.10.033. PubMed
  13. Cortez-Navarrete M, Martínez-Abundis E, Pérez-Rubio KG, González-Ortiz M, Méndez-Del Villar M. Momordica charantia administration improves insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Med Food. 2018;21(7):672-7. doi: 10.108
  14. Kim SK, Jung J, Jung JH, et al. Hypoglycemic efficacy and safety of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Complement Ther Med. 2020 Aug;52:102524. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102524. PubMed
  15. Unsal O, Sütcüoglu O, Yazici O. Dangerous interaction of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) with pazopanib: a case of acute pancreatitis. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2022;28(2):486-8.
  16. Bae W, Kim S, Choi J, et al. Acute interstitial nephritis associated with ingesting a Momordica charantia extract: a case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021;100(27):e26606. PubMed
  17. Chattopadhyay K, Wang H, Kaur J, et al. Effectiveness and Safety of Ayurvedic Medicines in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2022;13:821810. Published 2022 Jun 8. PubMed
  18. Kim B, Lee HS, Kim HJ, et al. Momordica charantia (bitter melon) efficacy and safety on glucose metabolism in Korean prediabetes participants: a 12-week, randomized clinical study. Food Sci Biotechnol 2022;32(5):697-704. PubMed

See these in context on the Bitter Melon monograph →

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DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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