Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Swanson Ultra

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

GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 mg is a dietary supplement by Swanson Ultra with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for blood sugar support, type 2 diabetes, weight management.Based on those ingredients, 299 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are GlucoHelp Banaba extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 mg by Swanson Ultra

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: banaba extract at 1.33 mg per softgel. Banaba is a plant extract traditionally used for blood sugar support.

The softgel also holds several inactive ingredients—rice bran oil, gelatin, glycerin, purified water, carob extract, silica, yellow beeswax, and zinc oxide—which are fillers and capsule materials.

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 Banaba's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: blood sugar support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes), Metabolic syndrome, Hyperglycemia, Glycemic control.
  • The closest evidence on file: Banaba is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Diabetes (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Banaba is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes), Metabolic syndrome.

The evidence we hold on banaba for diabetes, prediabetes, and metabolic syndrome is insufficient to rate it. That means studies so far haven't given us enough reliable data to say whether it actually works for these uses.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're considering it for any of these conditions.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Banaba

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.

Banaba extract appears to be well tolerated in short-term studies, but long-term safety isn't well established, so we don't know what happens with extended use. A product combining banaba with another plant did report side effects like dizziness, headache, tremor, weakness, and stomach upset in some people, though it's unclear whether banaba alone was responsible.

Because safety data in pregnancy is insufficient, the safety data advises against use during pregnancy. There isn't enough reliable information for nursing — you should avoid use while breastfeeding and talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Banaba

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 — Banaba.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 299 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 with your doctor or pharmacist if you take blood pressure medications (antihypertensive drugs) or diabetes medications (antidiabetes drugs) — banaba may add to their effects. Also check if you take any medications that depend on OATP transporters for absorption, as banaba can reduce how much of those drugs your body absorbs.

Altogether, these interactions span 299 individual medications.

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.

GlucoHelp Banaba Extract might appeal to someone looking for plant-based blood sugar or blood pressure support, but the evidence of effectiveness is thin. If you take any medication for blood pressure or blood sugar, or any drug that relies on the OATP transporter to be absorbed, you need to check with your own doctor or pharmacist before starting this — the interaction risk is real.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid it.

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 Sep 21, 2018.

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 GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Swanson Ultra
Barcode (UPC) 087614026596
Net contents 60 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 21, 2018
DSLD ID 180933
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
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 GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 mg by Swanson Ultra, 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 Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Softgel(s)
UPC/BARCODE
087614026596
IngredientAmount% DV
GlucoHelp Banaba extract1.33 mg--

Other ingredients: Rice Bran Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, purified Water, Carob extract, Silica, yellow Beeswax, Zinc Oxide

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

The Most Advanced Nutrition Technology Softgels

To reorder, call toll free 1-800-437-4148 or visit our website at www.swansonvitamins.com

FDA Statement of Identity

Standardized Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Guaranteed purity & potency

Precautions

Do not use if seal is broken.

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take one softgel two times per day with water, after the morning meal and the evening meal.

Brand IP Statement(s)

GlucoHelp is a registered trademark of Soft Gel Technologies, Inc.

General

SWU659 Rev 0 03 30 17

See for yourself

GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 mg by Swanson Ultra label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 mg by Swanson Ultra

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

Serving size1 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Amounts shown are per serving.

GlucoHelp Banaba extract

Interacts with
299 drugs
1.33 mg per serving Form: Corosolic Acid

Banaba is a leaf extract most often used to help support healthy blood sugar, and small early studies suggest its active compound corosolic acid may m...

GlucoHelp Banaba extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Rice Bran Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Purified Water, Carob extract, Silica, Yellow Beeswax, Zinc Oxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 mg by Swanson Ultra Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 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
299Drugs
299 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 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.

GlucoHelp Banaba extract3 drug types · 299 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of banaba and hypoglycemic drugs might have additive effects.
Human and animal research suggests that banaba can lower blood glucose levels.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of banaba and antihypertensive drugs might cause additive effects.
Human and animal research suggests that banaba can lower blood pressure.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide Substrates (Oatp)

Theoretically, concomitant use of banaba with substrates of OATP might reduce the bioavailability of the OATP substrate.
In vitro research shows that banaba inhibits OATP, particularly OATP2B1. OATPs are expressed in the small intestine and liver and are responsible for the absorption of drugs and other compounds.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 mg, from the product label.

Swanson Ultra

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

GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 mg by Swanson Ultra: Common Questions

Does GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 mg by Swanson Ultra interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 mg has a known interaction with 299 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 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.
Will banaba help my blood sugar or blood pressure?
The evidence we have isn't enough to say whether it works. Studies on banaba for diabetes, prediabetes, and metabolic syndrome haven't given us reliable proof yet. Your doctor can discuss whether it's worth trying alongside your regular treatment.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Not during pregnancy — there isn't enough safety data, so the data advises against it. If you're nursing, there's no reliable safety information, so you should avoid use. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what's safe for you and your baby.
What side effects have been reported?
Banaba extract itself appears well tolerated. A product that combined banaba with another plant did report dizziness, headache, tremor, weakness, stomach upset, and a few others in some people — but it's unclear whether banaba alone caused those or if the other ingredient was responsible.
How long can I safely take this?
Short-term use appears well tolerated based on the studies we have. Long-term safety isn't well established yet, so we don't know what happens if you take it for months or years. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you decide how long to use it.
What's in the softgel besides the active extract?
The capsule contains rice bran oil, gelatin, glycerin, purified water, carob extract, silica, yellow beeswax, and zinc oxide — these are fillers and capsule materials, not active ingredients.

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

Not sure if GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 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.

GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 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

GlucoHelp Banaba Extract 1.33 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 7 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.

Banaba 7 references
  1. Judy WV, Hari SP, Stogsdill WW, et al. Antidiabetic activity of a standardized extract (Glucosol) from Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves in Type II diabetics. A dose-dependence study. J Ethnopharmacol 2003;87:115-7. PubMed
  2. Kakuda T, Sakane I, Takihara T, et al. Hypoglycemic effect of extracts from Lagerstroemia speciosa L. leaves in genetically diabetic KK-AY mice. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 1996;60:204-8.
  3. Fukushima, M., Matsuyama, F., Ueda, N., Egawa, K., Takemoto, J., Kajimoto, Y., Yonaha, N., Miura, T., Kaneko, T., Nishi, Y., Mitsui, R., Fujita, Y., Yamada, Y., and Seino, Y. Effect of corosolic acid on postchallenge plasma glucose levels. Diabetes Res C PubMed
  4. Yamaguchi, Y., Yamada, K., Yoshikawa, N., Nakamura, K., Haginaka, J., and Kunitomo, M. Corosolic acid prevents oxidative stress, inflammation and hypertension in SHR/NDmcr-cp rats, a model of metabolic syndrome. Life Sci 11-25-2006;79(26):2474-2479. PubMed
  5. Fuchikami H, Satoh H, Tsujimoto M, Ohdo S, Ohtani H, Sawada Y. Effects of herbal extracts on the function of human organic anion-transporting polypeptide OATP-B. Drug Metab Dispos 2006;34:577-82. PubMed
  6. Manaf A, Tjandrawinata RR, Malinda D. Insulin sensitizer in prediabetes: a clinical study with DLBS3233, a combined bioactive fraction of Cinnamomum burmanii and Lagerstroemia speciosa. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2016;10:1279-89. PubMed
  7. Tjokroprawiro A, Murtiwi S, Tjandrawinata RR. DLBS3233, a combined bioactive fraction of Cinnamomum burmanii and Lagerstroemia speciosa, in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients inadequately controlled by metformin and other oral antidiabetic agents. J Comple

See these in context on the Banaba monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

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

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring