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

Gymnema Sylvestre 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nova Nutritions

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

Gymnema Sylvestre 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Nova Nutritions with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for blood sugar support, type 2 diabetes, sugar cravings.Based on those ingredients, 851 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Gymnema standardized extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Gymnema Sylvestre 500 mg by Nova Nutritions

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.

Nova Nutritions' Gymnema Sylvestre contains one active ingredient: a standardized extract of gymnema leaf at 500 mg per capsule. The capsule itself is made from vegetable cellulose, with silica and vegetable magnesium stearate as inactive ingredients to aid absorption and flow.

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 Gymnema's own graded uses on its monograph.

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

The evidence for gymnema isn't yet strong enough to make a confident claim. Our data shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate it for diabetes, prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, or obesity.

While some studies suggest gymnema can lower blood sugar, we don't have enough high-quality human research to say definitively whether it works or how well it works for any of these uses.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Gymnema

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.

Gymnema is generally well tolerated in the short term, though quality varies between products—so if you do try it, stick with a reputable brand. The most serious adverse effect on record is a case of liver inflammation (hepatitis) with severe complications in someone who drank gymnema tea heavily for 10 days; symptoms included weakness, fatigue, jaundice, and liver enzyme changes, which took months to fully resolve.

Because of the risk of lowering blood sugar, be cautious if you're prone to low blood sugar episodes. The safety data for pregnancy and breastfeeding is too limited to know whether it's safe, so it's best avoided if you're pregnant or nursing—talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your options if you're in either situation.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Gymnema

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 — Gymnema.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 852 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 doctor or pharmacist if you're on antidiabetes drugs (there's a real risk of low blood sugar), blood thinners, pain relievers, or any medication broken down by liver enzymes CYP2C9 or CYP1A2. The enzyme interactions here are documented and moderate in severity.

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.

Gymnema Sylvestre may be worth discussing with your doctor if you're exploring blood-sugar support, but the science so far doesn't conclusively prove it works. If you're on diabetes medication or any prescription drug, you must check with your pharmacist or doctor first—the enzyme interactions are real and could affect how your medications work.

Be aware that liver inflammation has been reported, and quality varies by brand. Have this conversation with your own healthcare provider before you start.

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 24, 2020.

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 Gymnema Sylvestre 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Nova Nutritions
Barcode (UPC) 732363270928
Net contents 240 Veggie Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 24, 2020
DSLD ID 229323
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, 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 Gymnema Sylvestre 500 mg by Nova Nutritions, 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 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Servings per container
240
UPC/BARCODE
732363270928
IngredientAmount% DV
Gymnema standardized extract500 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose, Silica, Vegetable 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

Gymnema Sylvestre helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels when used as part of your diet. This herb has been used traditionally in India for centuries and has been shown in research to support healthy glucose metabolism by mediation of insulin release and activity and enhancement of healthy pancreatic function.

Precautions

Caution: For adults only, if you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications or have any medical condition, consult your doctor before use.

Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal is broken or missing.

Storage

Keep in cool, dry place.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

Formulation

Supports healthy blood sugar level & normal appetite level

Free of: Artificial color, preservatives, sugar, starch, milk, corn, gluten, wheat, yeast, fish.

GMP Good Manufacturing Practice Product

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take one (1) capsule one to three times daily with meals or as directed by your qualified healthcare professional.

Seals/Symbols

GMP Good Manufacturing Practice Product Made in USA

See for yourself

Gymnema Sylvestre 500 mg by Nova Nutritions label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Gymnema Sylvestre 500 mg by Nova Nutritions

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

Serving size1 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container240 Amounts shown are per serving.

Gymnema standardized extract

Interacts with
851 drugs
500 mg per serving Form: Gymnema sylvestre

Gymnema is an Ayurvedic herb best known for possibly helping lower blood sugar and reducing the taste of sweetness on the tongue. Some early human stu...

Gymnema standardized extract monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Gymnema Sylvestre 500 mg by Nova Nutritions Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Gymnema Sylvestre 500 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
851Drugs
347 Moderate 504 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Gymnema Sylvestre 500 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.

Gymnema standardized extract6 drug types · 851 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking gymnema with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Gymnema reduces blood glucose levels in some human and animal research. In human studies, it has been shown to enhance the blood glucose lowering effects of hypoglycemic drugs. However, other research in adults with prediabetes or metabolic syndrome suggests that gymnema does not reduce fasting levels of blood glucose. Until more is known, monitor blood glucose levels closely.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, gymnema might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
Animal and in vitro research shows that gymnema can inhibit the CYP1A2 enzyme. In one animal study, oral administration of gymnema for 7 days increased the plasma concentrations of phenacetin, a CYP1A2 substrate, by about 1.4-fold and reduced the clearance of phenacetin by about 29%.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, gymnema might increase or decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
Animal research shows that gymnema can induce the CYP2C9 enzyme. In one animal study, gymnema caused a 2.4-fold increase in the clearance of tolbutamide, a CYP2C9 substrate, in rats. In vitro research also shows that gymnema can inhibit CYP2C9.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Phenacetin

Theoretically, taking gymnema with phenacetin might increase the levels of phenacetin.
Animal research shows that gymnema, administered orally for 7 days, decreases the clearance of phenacetin in a dose-dependent manner by about 21% to 29% and increases plasma levels about 1.3- to 1.4-fold when compared to control.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Tolbutamide (Orinase)

Theoretically, taking gymnema with tolbutamide might the decrease levels of tolbutamide.
Animal research shows that gymnema, administered orally for 7 days, increases the clearance of tolbutamide by 2.4-fold when compared to control.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, gymnema might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
One in vitro study using rat liver microsomes shows that gymnema can modestly inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme. However, other in vitro research using human liver microsomes shows that gymnema does not affect CYP3A4 activity. Animal research also shows that gymnema does not alter the function of CYP3A4. In one study in rats, oral administration of gymnema for 7 days did not alter the clearance of amlodipine, a CYP3A4 substrate.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Gymnema Sylvestre 500 mg, from the product label.

Nova Nutritions

See all Nova Nutritions products
Name
Nova Nutritions
City
Scotch Plains
State
New Jersey
ZipCode
07076
Web Address
www.novanutritions.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Gymnema Sylvestre 500 mg by Nova Nutritions: Common Questions

Does Gymnema Sylvestre 500 mg by Nova Nutritions interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Gymnema Sylvestre 500 mg has a known interaction with 851 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Gymnema Sylvestre 500 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 take gymnema if I'm on diabetes medication?
No, not without talking to your doctor first. Gymnema lowers blood sugar and can strengthen the effect of your diabetes drugs, which raises the risk of dangerously low blood sugar. Your doctor or pharmacist needs to know before you add this supplement.
Is gymnema safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data to know either way, so it's best avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about safer alternatives if you're in either situation.
What are the side effects of gymnema?
Most people tolerate it well short-term. The most serious adverse effect on record is liver inflammation (hepatitis), which happened in someone who drank gymnema tea heavily for 10 days and caused weakness, fatigue, jaundice, and liver damage that took months to recover from.
Does gymnema actually work for blood sugar or weight?
We don't have enough reliable evidence yet to say it works for diabetes, prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, or obesity. Some studies suggest it may lower blood sugar, but we need stronger human research before we can be confident.
Why does the product info mention so many medication interactions?
Gymnema affects liver enzymes that break down a huge range of prescription drugs—pain relievers, blood thinners, and many others. That's why it can interact with hundreds of different medications, even if you're only on one or two.
Is gymnema safe if I'm not on any medications?
It's generally well tolerated short-term in people without diabetes or liver disease. But quality varies between brands, so choose a reputable one, and be aware that one severe case of liver inflammation has been reported with heavy use.

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

Not sure if Gymnema Sylvestre 500 mg is safe with your meds?

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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.

Gymnema Sylvestre 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Gymnema Sylvestre 500 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

Gymnema Sylvestre 500 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 12 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.

Gymnema 12 references
  1. Shanmugasundaram ER, Rajeswari G, Baskaran K, et al. Use of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in the control of blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. J Ethnopharmacol 1990;30:281-94. PubMed
  2. Baskaran K, Kizar Ahamath B, Radha Shanmugasundaram K, Shanmugasundaram ER. Antidiabetic effect of leaf extract from Gymnema sylvestre in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients. J Ethnopharmacol 1990;30:295-300.
  3. Kamble B, Gupta A, Moothedath I, Khatal L, Janrao S, Jadhav A, et al. Effects of Gymnema sylvestre extract on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of glimepiride in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Chem Biol Interact. 2016;245:30-8. PubMed
  4. Tiwari P, Mishra BN, Sangwan NS. Phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Gymnema sylvestre: an important medicinal plant. Biomed Res Int. 2014; 2014:830285.
  5. Fabio GD, Romanucci V, De Marco A, Zarrelli A. Triterpenoids from Gymnema sylvestre and their pharmacological activities. Molecules. 2014;19(8):10956-81. PubMed
  6. Shiyovich A, Sztarkier I, Nesher L. Toxic hepatitis induced by Gymnema sylvestre, a natural remedy for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Am J Med Sci. 2010;340(6):514-7. PubMed
  7. Zuniga LY, Gonzalez-Ortiz M, Martinez-Abundis E. Effect of gymnema sylvestre administration on metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion. J Med Food. 2017 Aug;20(8):750-54.
  8. Rammohan B, Samit K, Chinmoy D, et al. Human cytochrome P450 enzyme modulation by gymnema sylvestre: a predictive safety evaluation by LC-MS/MS. Pharmacogn Mag. 2016 Jul;12(Suppl 4):S389-S394.
  9. Vaghela M, Sahu N, Kharkar P, Pandita N. In vivo pharmacokinetic interaction by ethanolic extract of gymnema sylvestre with CYP2C9 (tolbutamide), CYP3A4 (amlodipine) and CYP1A2 (phenacetin) in rats. Chem Biol Interact. 2017 Dec 25;278:141-151. PubMed
  10. Vaghela M, Iyer K, Pandita N. In vitro inhibitory effect of gymnema sylvestre extracts and total gymnemic acids fraction on select cytochrome P450 activities in rat liver microsomes. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2017 Oct 10. PubMed
  11. Gaytán Martínez LA, Sánchez-Ruiz LA, Zuñiga LY, González-Ortiz M, Martínez-Abundis E. Effect of Gymnema sylvestre administration on glycemic control, insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity in patients with impaired glucose tolerance. J Med Food. 2021;
  12. Philips CA, Theruvath AH, Ravindran R. Toxic hepatitis-associated aplastic anaemia after dual homeopathic remedies and Gymnema sylvestre use. BMJ Case Rep 2022;15(3):e247867. PubMed

See these in context on the Gymnema 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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