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Dietary supplement

Eyebright Extract 400 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson

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

Eyebright Extract 400 mg is a dietary supplement by Swanson with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for eye irritation and redness, conjunctivitis (pink eye), eye strain.Based on those ingredients, 86 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Eyebright Whole Plant Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Eyebright Extract 400 mg by Swanson

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.

This product contains one active ingredient: eyebright whole plant extract at 400 mg per capsule. Eyebright has a long history of traditional use, particularly for eye-related concerns, though modern evidence on its effectiveness is limited.

The capsule itself is made from gelatin and filled with inactive ingredients including maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, and magnesium stearate — these are standard binders and fillers that help form and stabilize the capsule.

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 — see Eyebright's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: eye health and comfort support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Asthenopia (eye strain), Conjunctivitis, Allergic rhinitis (hay fever), eye irritation, eye redness.
  • The closest evidence on file: Eyebright is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Eyebright is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Asthenopia (eye strain), Conjunctivitis.

The evidence we hold rates eyebright as having insufficient reliable evidence for hay fever, cancer, common cold, cough, sore throat (pharyngitis), and sinus infection (rhinosinusitis). That means the research available doesn't yet support claims about how well it works for these uses.

If you're considering eyebright for a specific condition, talk it over with your doctor — they may know of additional research or be able to suggest better-studied alternatives.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Eyebright

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.

Orally, eyebright has been reported to cause confusion, headache, nausea, constipation, cough, shortness of breath (dyspnea), and nasal congestion in some people. The data advises against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding due to insufficient safety information.

A key caution: using homemade or non-sterile eyebright preparations directly in the eye carries real risk — stick to oral forms from reputable manufacturers if you choose to use it.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Eyebright

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 — Eyebright.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 86 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 antidiabetes drugs (insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas, or any other blood sugar medication), double-check this product with your doctor or pharmacist first — eyebright may lower your blood glucose and increase the risk of low blood sugar.

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.

Eyebright Extract may be worth considering if you're interested in traditional herbal support, but the modern evidence for its effectiveness isn't yet established. If you take any diabetes medication, check your specific drugs before starting — low blood sugar risk is a real concern.

Talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist before adding this to your routine, especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or on any prescription medications.

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 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 Eyebright Extract 400 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson
Barcode (UPC) 087614141862
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 22, 2024
DSLD ID 308526
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
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 Eyebright Extract 400 mg by Swanson, 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
60
UPC/BARCODE
087614141862
IngredientAmount% DV
Eyebright Whole Plant Extract400 mg--

Other ingredients: Maltodextrin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Gelatin, 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.
Formulation

Total wellness for mind, body & home Unsurpassed purity & potency 100% money back guaranteed

Eye and vision health Standardized

Brand IP Statement(s)

Swanson Science-backed quality since 1969

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule two times per day with water.

Precautions

Warning: For adults only. Keep out of reach of children.

Consult your healthcare provider before using this or any product if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.

Do not use if seal is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

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

Herbal Supplement

Formula

Eyebright extract 400 mg per capsule

See for yourself

Eyebright Extract 400 mg by Swanson label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Eyebright Extract 400 mg by Swanson

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Eyebright Whole Plant Extract

Interacts with
86 drugs
400 mg per serving Form: Euphrasia officinalis Whole Plant Extract

Eyebright is a traditional herb long used for minor eye irritation, redness, and allergy symptoms, but high-quality human studies are very limited. Th...

Eyebright Whole Plant Extract monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Eyebright Extract 400 mg by Swanson Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Eyebright Extract 400 mg?

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
86Drugs
86 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Eyebright Extract 400 mg 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.

Eyebright Whole Plant Extract1 drug type · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, eyebright might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that eyebright lowers blood glucose levels.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Eyebright Extract 400 mg, from the product label.

Swanson

See all Swanson products
Name
Swanson Health Products
City
Fargo
State
ND
ZipCode
58104
Phone Number
1-800-437-4148
Web Address
swanson.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Eyebright Extract 400 mg by Swanson: Common Questions

Does Eyebright Extract 400 mg by Swanson interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Eyebright Extract 400 mg has a known interaction with 86 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Eyebright Extract 400 mg 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.
Can I use eyebright in my eyes directly?
The safety data cautions against it. Homemade or non-sterile eyebright applied directly in the eye is risky. If you want to use eyebright for eye concerns, stick to oral supplements from reputable manufacturers and check with your eye doctor first.
Is eyebright safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No — the safety data advises against it during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because there isn't enough information on safety in these situations. If you're pregnant or nursing and interested in eyebright, talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
What side effects might I experience?
Orally, eyebright has been reported to cause confusion, headache, nausea, constipation, cough, shortness of breath, and nasal congestion. These aren't common, but they're documented. Stop the supplement and call your doctor if you experience any of these.
Does eyebright actually work for hay fever or colds?
The evidence we hold rates it as having insufficient reliable evidence — meaning the research doesn't yet support how well it works. That doesn't mean it doesn't work, just that we don't have solid data on it yet.
Can I take this with my diabetes medication?
Check with your doctor or pharmacist first. Eyebright may lower blood sugar, which means a Moderate-severity risk of low blood sugar when combined with diabetes drugs. They can tell you whether it's safe for your situation and if your medication needs adjusting.
What's actually in this capsule besides the eyebright extract?
The capsule contains maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, gelatin, and magnesium stearate — all standard inactive ingredients that help form and preserve the supplement.

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

Not sure if Eyebright Extract 400 mg 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.

Eyebright Extract 400 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Eyebright Extract 400 mg’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Eyebright Extract 400 mg'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 4 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.

Eyebright 4 references
  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. Wichtl MW. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Ed. N.M. Bisset. Stuttgart: Medpharm GmbH Scientific Publishers, 1994.
  3. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  4. Porchezhian, E., Ansari, S. H., and Shreedharan, N. K. Antihyperglycemic activity of Euphrasia officinale leaves. Fitoterapia 2000;71(5):522-526. PubMed

See these in context on the Eyebright 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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