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Dietary supplement

Horse Chestnut Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Vitanica

Horse Chestnut label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Horse Chestnut 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

Horse Chestnut is a dietary supplement by Vitanica with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for chronic venous insufficiency, leg swelling and heaviness, varicose veins.Based on those ingredients, 122 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Horse Chestnut extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Horse Chestnut by Vitanica

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Horse Chestnut by Vitanica — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Horse Chestnut by Vitanica

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 Aug 6, 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 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: horse chestnut extract. Horse chestnut is derived from the seeds of the horse chestnut tree and has been traditionally used for circulation and vein health.

The extract is processed to remove esculin, a toxic compound found in raw plant parts, making it safer for oral use. The capsule also contains inactive ingredients—vegetable cellulose, silica, and water—which help form and fill the capsule.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded Horse Chestnut's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Horse Chestnut for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

Horse chestnut extract is rated possibly effective for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)—a condition involving poor blood circulation and vein problems in the legs. For hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, and kidney stones, there isn't enough reliable evidence in our data to establish whether it works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Horse Chestnut

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Properly processed horse chestnut seed extract is generally well tolerated orally. The most common side effects reported in trials are dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, headache, and itching.

However, raw plant parts are toxic and should never be used. Horse chestnut should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding because there isn't enough safety data to know whether it's safe for you or your baby.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Horse Chestnut

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 — Horse Chestnut.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 122 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, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you use any blood thinners or antiplatelet medications—warfarin, apixaban, aspirin, clopidogrel, and similar drugs. Horse chestnut may increase your bleeding risk when combined with these.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Horse chestnut extract may help with chronic venous insufficiency, but it can increase bleeding risk if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, skip it—the safety data just isn't there.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, especially if you take any medications that affect clotting.

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 25, 2014.

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 Horse Chestnut, straight from the product label.

Brand Vitanica
Barcode (UPC) 708118011252
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 25, 2014
DSLD ID 33882
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, 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 Horse Chestnut by Vitanica, 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)
UPC/BARCODE
708118011252
IngredientAmount% DV
Horse Chestnut extract250 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose, Silica, Water

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: One (1) capsule twice daily.

Precautions

Avoid use with bleeding disorders.

Tamper resistant: please do not use if safety seal is broken or missing.

Keep in a cool, dry place out of reach of children.

Formulation

This product contains no: preservatives, binders, artificial colorings or flavorings, sugars, starch, lactose, salt, corn, wheat or gluten, yeast, soy or milk derivatives.

Horse Chestnut is suitable for vegetarians.

Storage

Keep in a cool, dry place out of reach of children.

General Statements

a

Formula

HORSE CHESTNUT EXTRACT

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

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

See for yourself

Horse Chestnut by Vitanica label

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

Horse Chestnut 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 Horse Chestnut by Vitanica

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

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

Horse Chestnut extract

Interacts with
122 drugs
250 mg per serving

Horse chestnut seed extract is most often used for chronic venous insufficiency, where standardized products may help reduce leg swelling, pain, and h...

Horse Chestnut extract monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Horse Chestnut by Vitanica Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Horse Chestnut?

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
122Drugs
122 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Horse Chestnut extract 122

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Horse Chestnut interact with 122 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Horse Chestnut interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Horse Chestnut extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Horse Chestnut 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.

Horse Chestnut extract1 drug type · 122 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Horse chestnut may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Horse chestnut contains the constituent esculin which has been shown to have antithrombotic effects. Therefore, horse chestnut might have antiplatelet effects. This has not been shown in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Horse Chestnut extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Horse Chestnut, from the product label.

Vitanica

See all Vitanica products
Name
VITANICA(R)
Street Address
10347 SW Spokane Ct.
City
Tualatin
State
OR
ZipCode
97062
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Horse Chestnut by Vitanica: Common Questions

Does Horse Chestnut by Vitanica interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Horse Chestnut has a known interaction with 122 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Horse Chestnut 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 this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. There isn't enough safety information for either pregnancy or breastfeeding, so the safety data advises against use in both. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about alternatives.
What are the most common side effects?
Dizziness, stomach upset, headache, and itching have been reported with the extract. Serious side effects are uncommon when you use a properly processed extract, but raw plant parts are toxic and should be avoided.
Does horse chestnut actually work for vein problems?
For chronic venous insufficiency—a circulation condition affecting the legs—it's rated possibly effective. That means there's some evidence it may help, but more research is needed. For other conditions like hemorrhoids or IBS, there isn't enough reliable evidence to say.
Why is there such a long list of medications it might interact with?
The number reflects how many different blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs exist in the medication world. The actual interaction is the same: horse chestnut may increase bleeding risk with any of them.
Is it safe to take with my other supplements?
Our data covers interactions with medications, not other supplements. If you're taking multiple supplements, ask your pharmacist to review them all together.

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

Not sure if Horse Chestnut is safe with your meds?

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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.

Horse Chestnut label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Horse Chestnut’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Horse Chestnut

Interacts with 122 drugs

Horse chestnut seed extract is most often used for chronic venous insufficiency, where standardized products may help reduce leg swelling, pain, and heaviness. Raw, unprocessed horse chestnu...

Read the full Horse Chestnut monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Horse Chestnut'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 21 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.

Horse Chestnut 21 references
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Ellenhorn MJ, et al. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnoses and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1997.
  3. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  4. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  5. Greeske K, Pohlmann BK. Horse chestnut seed extract-an effective therapy principle in general practice. Drug therapy of chronic venous insufficiency. Fortschr Med 1996;114:196-200.
  6. Robbers JE, Tyler VE. Tyler's Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York, NY: The Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.
  7. Takegoshi K, Tohyama T, Okuda K, et al. A case of Venoplant-induced hepatic injury. Gastroenterol Jpn 1986;21:62-5.
  8. Jaspersen-Schib R, Theus L, Guirguis-Oeschger M, et al. [Serious plant poisonings in Switzerland 1966-1994. Case analysis from the Swiss Toxicology Information Center]. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 1996;126:1085-98.
  9. Popp W, Horak F, Jager S, et al. Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) pollen: a frequent cause of allergic sensitization in urban children. Allergy 1992;47:380-3.
  10. Diaz-Perales A, Collada C, Blanco C, et al. Cross-reactions in the latex-fruit syndrome: A relevant role of chitinases but not of complex asparagine-linked glycans. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;104:681-7. PubMed
  11. Blanco C, Diaz-Perales A, Collada C, et al. Class I chitinases as potential panallergens involved in the latex-fruit syndrome. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;103:507-13. PubMed
  12. Comaish JS, Kersey PJ. Contact dermatitis to extract of horse chestnut (esculin). Contact Dermatitis 1980;6:150-1. PubMed
  13. Pittler MH, Ernst E. Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2004. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. PubMed
  14. Ottillinger, B. and Greeske, K. Rational therapy of chronic venous insufficiency--chances and limits of the therapeutic use of horse-chestnut seeds extract. BMC.Cardiovasc.Disord. 2001;1(1):5. PubMed
  15. Pittler, M. H. and Ernst, E. Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2004;(2):CD003230. PubMed
  16. Fang, Y., Zhao, L., Yan, F., Xia, X., Xu, D., and Cui, X. Escin improves sperm quality in male patients with varicocele-associated infertility. Phytomedicine. 2010;17(3-4):192-196. PubMed
  17. De Smet, P. A., Van den Eertwegh, A. J., Lesterhuis, W., and Stricker, B. H. Hepatotoxicity associated with herbal tablets. BMJ 7-13-1996;313(7049):92.
  18. Rehn, D., Unkauf, M., Klein, P., Jost, V., and Lucker, P. W. Comparative clinical efficacy and tolerability of oxerutins and horse chestnut extract in patients with chronic venous insufficiency. Arzneimittelforschung 1996;46(5):483-487.
  19. Edem E, Kahyaoglu B, Çakar MA. Acute Effusive Pericarditis due to Horse Chestnut Consumption. Am J Case Rep. 2016;17:305-8. PubMed
  20. Costa Santos D, Lérias G, Madruga I. Drug-induced Liver Injury Due to a Horse Chestnut Dietary Supplement. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2021;8(3):002389. PubMed
  21. Yi HY, Lee JY. Poisoning due to consumption of horse chestnut seed. Clin Exp Emerg Med 2021;8(4):333-335. PubMed

See these in context on the Horse Chestnut 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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