Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 2 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Organic Gymnema Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Himalaya

Other (e.g. Tea Bag) Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Organic Gymnema is a dietary supplement by Himalaya with 2 active ingredients. 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 organic Gymnema powder. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Organic Gymnema by Himalaya

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

Himalaya's Organic Gymnema is a simple product with 2 active ingredients: organic gymnema powder and organic gymnema extract. Both deliver the same herb in different forms so you get the compound in multiple ways.

There are no inactive ingredients (fillers or binders) listed for this product.

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: supports metabolism of refined carbohydrates.
  • We looked for evidence on: Diabetes, Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes), Metabolic syndrome, blood sugar regulation, glucose metabolism.
  • 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 established in the data we hold. The product is marketed for blood sugar and weight management, but the research available rates its effectiveness as insufficient to make a reliable claim for diabetes, prediabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome.

That doesn't mean it won't work for you—it means larger, better-designed human studies haven't confirmed it yet.

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, but it does lower blood sugar, so caution is warranted if you use it alongside other blood sugar–lowering treatments. Quality can vary between products.

Rare cases of serious liver injury (hepatitis and aplastic anemia) have been reported in people drinking gymnema tea heavily, though these are uncommon. There isn't enough safety data to know either way about use during pregnancy or breastfeeding—talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice if you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing.

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 you take this, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you use antidiabetes drugs (blood sugar medications)—gymnema may strengthen their effect and raise your low blood sugar risk. Also check CYP1A2 substrates, CYP2C9 substrates (especially tolbutamide), and any medications processed by your liver's CYP3A4 enzyme, as gymnema can alter their levels in your blood.

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.

Himalaya's Organic Gymnema is a straightforward gymnema product, but it's not for everyone. If you take diabetes medications, heart drugs, or other medications metabolized by your liver, you'll want to check your exact medications with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this supplement.

Pregnant or breastfeeding? There isn't enough safety data—get personalized advice from your healthcare provider.

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 Jan 22, 2021.

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 Organic Gymnema, straight from the product label.

Brand Himalaya
Barcode (UPC) 605069418010
Net contents 60 Caplet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 22, 2021
DSLD ID 240754
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Other (e.g. Tea Bag)
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, Gluten Free, Dairy 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 Organic Gymnema by Himalaya, 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 Caplet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Caplet(s)
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
605069418010
IngredientAmount% DV
organic Gymnema powder400 mg--
organic Gymnema extract300 mg--

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.
Precautions

No wheat, corn, soy or dairy.

Caution: As with any supplement, consult a healthcare practitioner before use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, have a medical condition or are planning any medical procedure.

Discontinue use and consult a healthcare practitioner if any adverse reactions occur.

Keep out of reach of children.

Formulation

No wheat, corn, soy or dairy. No ingredients of animal origin Gluten free

Vegan friendly

cGMP

Certified Organic by Control Union Certifications, CU 867461

Traditionally called Sugar destroyer Reinforces pancreatic function

Non GMO Project Verified nongmoproject.org

USDA Organic

Used as a part of a healthy diet, Gymnema supports blood sugar balance already within the normal range.

General Statements

Product of India Neutral Code No.: KR/Drugs/DLA AUS-83 Mfg. Lic. No. AUS-83

1 month supply

Recycle Our cartons are made from 100% recycled fibers, including 40% post-consumer material. Our glass bottles contain at least 48% recycled content.

Happiness through wellness Crafting traditional medicines based on Ayurveda, a 5,000 year old science that believes the journey back to wholeness begins with nurturing the capacity for joy. Trusting the gifts of nature and the irreplaceable relationship between the plant and its native soil for consistent healing properties. Contributing to the wellness of the earth by teaching our family of farmers to grow native plants sustainably on their land and reduce the demand on the local environment. Building communities by advocating women in farming, protecting fair prices, providing maternal health, sponsoring clinical services and offering school wellness programs. Believing that if wellness is the path to happiness, we must contribute to the wellness of all things. Wellness of people, wellness of the environment, wellness of our communities. Family owned for more than 85 years

Formula

Research has shown Gymnema's unique plant chemistry supports the metabolism of refined carbohydrates in both the digestive system and the pancreas.

The ancient texts of Ayurveda, which first identified Gymnema, called it Gurmar, or Sugar destroyer. This time-tested plant has been used for thousands of years to support digestion and normal kidney function.

Featured herb on front: Gymnema (aerial parts) Clinical strength extract Each Himalaya Organic Gymnema caplet is equivalent to 8,200 mg of Organic Gymnema powder per serving.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended Use: Adults take 1 caplet twice daily before meals.

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.

Seals/Symbols

Non GMO Project Verified nongmoproject.org USDA Organic

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

See for yourself

Organic Gymnema by Himalaya label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Organic Gymnema by Himalaya

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Caplet(s) Dosage formOther (e.g. Tea Bag) Servings per container60 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.

Organic Gymnema powder

Interacts with
851 drugs
400 mg per serving

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...

Organic Gymnema powder monograph & interactions

Organic Gymnema extract

Interacts with
851 drugs
300 mg per serving Form: Gymnemic Acids

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...

Organic Gymnema extract monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Organic Gymnema by Himalaya Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Organic Gymnema?

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 Organic Gymnema 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.

organic Gymnema powder6 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 Organic Gymnema, from the product label.

Himalaya

See all Himalaya products
Name
The Himalaya Drug Company
Street Address
1101 Gillingham Lane
City
Sugar Land
State
Texas
ZipCode
77478
Phone Number
1-800-869-4640
Web Address
www.himalayausa.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Organic Gymnema by Himalaya: Common Questions

Does Organic Gymnema by Himalaya interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Organic Gymnema 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?
Organic Gymnema contains 2 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 too much if I'm on diabetes medication?
That's the main concern. Gymnema can enhance the blood sugar–lowering effect of diabetes drugs, which raises the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). You'll need to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before combining them—they may need to adjust your medication dose or monitor you more closely.
Does gymnema actually help with blood sugar or weight?
The evidence isn't established yet. The research available rates its effectiveness for diabetes, prediabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome as insufficient to make a reliable claim. It may help, but we don't have strong proof.
Is this safe if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data to know either way. The safety notes advise against it during pregnancy and breastfeeding out of caution. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether you should use it.
What's the difference between the powder and extract in this product?
Both are gymnema, just in different forms—powder is the dried leaf, extract is a concentrated version. They have the same interactions and effects; this product just gives you both.
Has anyone had bad side effects from gymnema?
Rare cases of serious liver injury have been reported—hepatitis and aplastic anemia—in people who drank gymnema tea heavily (three times a day for 10 days or more). Most people tolerate it well short-term, but watch for weakness, fatigue, or yellowing of the skin, and contact your doctor right away if those appear.

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

Not sure if Organic Gymnema 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.

Organic Gymnema label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Organic Gymnema'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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