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Dietary supplement

Pomegranate Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized

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

Pomegranate is a dietary supplement by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for heart and blood vessel health, antioxidant support, high blood pressure.Based on those ingredients, 922 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Pomegranate Fruit Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Pomegranate by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized

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: pomegranate fruit extract — a concentrated form of the pomegranate fruit. The capsules also contain two inactive ingredients: dicalcium phosphate and vegetable cellulose (the capsule material itself).

Pomegranate extract pulls the active compounds from the fruit into a more concentrated dose than you'd get from eating the fruit or drinking juice. The extract is what we've checked for interactions and safety — it's different from the whole fruit.

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 Pomegranate's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Pomegranate for:

Why this rating?
  • The label markets general wellness (“Antioxidant support”), not a specific health condition, so there is no single claim to grade against clinical-evidence data.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Hypertension — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

According to the evidence we hold, pomegranate is possibly effective for high blood pressure (hypertension) — the research suggests it may help lower it modestly. For high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) and diabetes, the data shows it's possibly ineffective.

For nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, there isn't enough reliable evidence to rate whether it works or doesn't.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Pomegranate

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.

Pomegranate fruit and juice are generally well tolerated when eaten in normal food amounts. The fruit extract in this product also seems to be well tolerated.

The most common side effects are mild stomach issues — diarrhea and gas happen in a small number of people, and in one study, diarrhea occurred in about 10% of those taking a high-dose extract. A small number of trial participants also reported nausea, belly pain, constipation, stomach upset, or vomiting at high doses.

There isn't enough information on concentrated supplements to know if they're completely safe long-term, so use caution. Pomegranate root, stem, and peel shouldn't be used in large amounts — this product is the fruit extract, which is safer.

In pregnancy and breastfeeding, pomegranate is rated possibly safe, but talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Pomegranate

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 — Pomegranate.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 923 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, check if you use warfarin (Coumadin) or other blood thinners, blood pressure medications (especially ACE inhibitors), drugs broken down by the liver enzyme CYP2D6, or rosuvastatin (Crestor). The warfarin interaction is the most serious — pomegranate can affect how your blood thinner works and your bleeding risk.

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.

If you have high blood pressure and don't take blood pressure medication or warfarin, pomegranate extract might be worth discussing with your pharmacist. But if you take any blood pressure drugs, warfarin, or medications metabolized by the liver, check this supplement against your list first — the interactions are real and worth reviewing.

A pharmacist can help you time doses or suggest alternatives if there's a conflict.

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 Oct 26, 2011.

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 Pomegranate, straight from the product label.

Brand GNC Herbal Plus Standardized
Barcode (UPC) 048107066987
Net contents 50 Vegetarian Capsules
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 26, 2011
DSLD ID 847
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 Pomegranate by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
048107066987
IngredientAmount% DV
Pomegranate Fruit Extract250 mg--

Other ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Vegetable Cellulose Capsule

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.
FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

Formula

Standardized Extract ?250 mg

Formulation

No Sugar, No Artficial Colors, No Artifical Flavors, Sodium Free, No Wheat, No Gluten, No Soy, No Dairy, Yeast Free.

Precautions

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

WARNING: Consult your physician prior to using this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Discontinue use two weeks prior to surgery.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

General Statements

Antioxidant Support*

Conforms to USP <2091> for weight. Meets USP <2040> disintegration.

Lot No./Best By:

Potency verified by GNC procedure #5298.

General

CODE 198411 EKG

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take one to two capsules daily.

See for yourself

Pomegranate by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Pomegranate by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized

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.

Pomegranate Fruit Extract

Interacts with
922 drugs
250 mg per serving

Pomegranate is a nutrient-rich fruit that is high in antioxidants and is widely enjoyed as food and juice. Early research suggests it may support hear...

Pomegranate Fruit Extract monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Pomegranate by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Pomegranate?

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
922Drugs
355 Moderate 567 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Pomegranate 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.

Pomegranate Fruit Extract9 drug types · 922 drugs

Ace Inhibitors (Aceis)

Theoretically, taking pomegranate with ACEIs might increase the risk of adverse effects.
Pomegranate juice is thought to have ACE inhibitor-like effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, taking pomegranate with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Consuming pomegranate juice can modestly lower blood pressure.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Theoretically, pomegranate might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
In vitro, pomegranate juice inhibits CYP2D6. However, the clinical significance of this potential interaction in humans is not known.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)

Theoretically, taking pomegranate with rosuvastatin might increase the risk of adverse effects.
In one case, a patient taking rosuvastatin 5 mg every other day in combination with ezetimibe 10 mg daily developed rhabdomyolysis after drinking pomegranate juice 200 mL twice weekly for 3 weeks. This patient had a history of elevated creatine kinase levels while not receiving any statin treatment. This suggests a possible underlying myopathy and predisposition to rhabdomyolysis.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, pomegranate might increase warfarin levels and increase the risk of bleeding. Also, discontinuing regular consumption of pomegranate juice might decrease warfarin levels.
In one case report, a patient had a stable, therapeutic bleeding time, as measured by international normalized ratio (INR), while taking warfarin in combination with pomegranate juice 2-3 times per week. The patient became subtherapeutic within about 10 days after discontinuing pomegranate juice, which required a warfarin dose increase. In another case report, a patient with a stable INR for over one year presented with an INR of 14. The patient noted no changes to medications or diet but did report consuming around 3 liters of pomegranate juice over the previous week. The patient's INR stabilized upon moderation of pomegranate juice consumption. The mechanism of this potential interaction is unclear.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Theoretically, taking pomegranate with carbamazepine might increase the risk of adverse effects, although research suggests this interaction is unlikely to be clinically significant.
Animal research shows that pomegranate juice may inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) metabolism of carbamazepine and increase levels of carbamazepine by 1.5 times without prolonging the elimination half-life. This suggests that pomegranate juice inhibits intestinal CYP3A4, but might not inhibit hepatic CYP3A4. However, some human research suggests that pomegranate does not significantly inhibit CYP3A4 drug metabolism in humans.

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

Theoretically, pomegranate might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
Some animal and in vitro research shows that pomegranate juice inhibits intestinal, but not hepatic, CYP2C9 isoenzyme activity. However, clinical research shows that neither pomegranate juice nor pomegranate extract have a significant effect on CYP2C9 activity in humans.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, pomegranate might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4, but most research suggests this interaction is unlikely to be clinically significant.
Pomegranate contains several polyphenols that have individually been shown to inhibit CYP3A4. However, there is contradictory evidence about the effect of whole pomegranate juice on CYP3A4 activity. In vitro, pomegranate juice significantly inhibits the CYP3A4 enzyme, with comparable inhibition to grapefruit juice. In an animal model, pomegranate juice inhibits CYP3A4 metabolism of carbamazepine and increases levels of carbamazepine by 1.5 times; however, in human volunteers, drinking a single glass of pomegranate juice 240 mL or taking 200 mL daily for 2 weeks does not significantly affect levels of the CYP3A4 substrate midazolam after oral or intravenous administration. Another study in healthy volunteers shows that consuming pomegranate juice 300 mL three times daily for three days also does not significantly affect levels of simvastatin, a CYP3A4 substrate This suggests that pomegranate is unlikely to significantly affect levels of CYP3A4 substrates in humans.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
Tolbutamide (Orinase)

Theoretically, pomegranate might increase levels of tolbutamide, although research suggests this interaction is unlikely to be clinically significant.
Animal research shows that pomegranate juice inhibits the cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) metabolism of tolbutamide. Pomegranate juice increased tolbutamide levels by 1.2 times without prolonging the elimination half-life. This suggests that pomegranate juice inhibits intestinal CYP2C9, but might not inhibit hepatic CYP2C9. Despite this evidence, clinical research shows that neither pomegranate juice nor pomegranate extract have a significant effect on CYP2C9 activity in humans. This interaction does not appear to be clinically significant in humans.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Pomegranate, from the product label.

GNC Herbal Plus Standardized

See all GNC Herbal Plus Standardized products
Phone Number
1-888-462-2548
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Pomegranate by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized: Common Questions

Does Pomegranate by GNC Herbal Plus Standardized interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Pomegranate has a known interaction with 922 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Pomegranate 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 pomegranate extract lower my blood pressure?
According to the evidence we hold, pomegranate is possibly effective for high blood pressure. It may help lower it modestly, but it's not a proven cure. Talk with your doctor about whether it fits into your blood pressure management plan — and never stop taking prescription medications without their okay.
What are the side effects I should expect?
Most people tolerate pomegranate extract well. The most common issues are mild — diarrhea and gas — affecting a small number of people at normal doses. At higher doses, some have reported nausea, belly pain, constipation, or stomach upset. Stop taking it and call your pharmacist if you have bad stomach problems.
Is this safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Pomegranate is rated possibly safe in pregnancy and lactation. That means there isn't enough data to say it's definitely safe or unsafe. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you and your situation — they know your individual health picture.
What's the difference between pomegranate juice and this extract?
This is a concentrated extract from the pomegranate fruit, so you get more of the active compounds in a capsule than you'd drink in juice. The extract has been tested for interactions and side effects, and it's generally well tolerated — though it's more concentrated, so some people may have stomach upset at high doses.
Will it help my cholesterol or diabetes?
According to the evidence we hold, pomegranate is possibly ineffective for high cholesterol and diabetes. The research doesn't show it works for those problems, so it's not a good choice if those are your main reasons for wanting it.
Does this have fillers or other ingredients?
The two inactive ingredients are dicalcium phosphate and the vegetable cellulose capsule. Those are standard excipients — the dicalcium phosphate is a flow agent and binder, and the cellulose is just the capsule material.

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

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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.

Pomegranate label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Pomegranate'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 27 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.

Pomegranate 27 references
  1. Igea JM, Cuesta J, Cuevas M, et al. Adverse reaction to pomegranate ingestion. Allergy 1991;46:472-4. DOI
  2. Gaig P, Bartolome B, Lleonart R, et al. Allergy to pomegranate (Punica granatum). Allergy 1999;54:287-8.
  3. Aviram M, Dornfeld L. Pomegranate juice consumption inhibits serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity and reduces systolic blood pressure. Atherosclerosis 2001;158:195-8. PubMed
  4. Valsecchi R, Reseghetti A, Leghissa P, et al. Immediate contact hypersensitivity to pomegranate. Contact Dermatitis 1998;38:44-5. PubMed
  5. Esmaillzadeh A, Tahbaz F, Gaieni I, et al. Concentrated pomegranate juice improves lipid profiles in diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia. J Med Food 2004;7:305-8. PubMed
  6. Aviram M, Rosenblat M, Gaitini D, et al. Pomegranate juice consumption for 3 years by patients with carotid artery stenosis reduces common carotid intima-media thickness, blood pressure and LDL oxidation. Clin Nutr 2004;23:423-33. DOI
  7. Hidaka M, Okumura M, Fujita K, et al. Effects of pomegranate juice on human cytochrome p450 3A (CYP3A) and carbamazepine pharmacokinetics in rats. Drug Metab Dispos 2005;33:644-8. PubMed
  8. Loren DJ, Seeram NP, Schulman RN, Holtzman DM. Maternal dietary supplementation with pomegranate juice is neuroprotective in an animal model of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Pediatr Res 2005;57:858-64. PubMed
  9. Kim ND, Mehta R, Yu W, et al. Chemopreventive and adjuvant therapeutic potential of pomegranate (Punica granatum) for human breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2002;71:203-17. PubMed
  10. Sorokin AV, Duncan B, Panetta R, Thompson PD. Rhabdomyolysis associated with pomegranate juice consumption. Am J Cardiol 2006;98:705-6. PubMed
  11. Farkas D, Oleson LE, Zhao Y, et al. Pomegranate juice does not impair clearance of oral or intravenous midazolam, a probe for cytochrome P450-3A activity: comparison with grapefruit juice. J Clin Pharmacol 2007;47:286-94. PubMed
  12. Yeo C, Shon J, Liu K, et al. The effects of pomegranate juice on the pharmacokinetics of simvastatin in healthy Korean subjects (PI-63). Clin Pharmacol Ther 2006;79:23.
  13. Farkas D, Greenblatt DJ. Influence of fruit juices on drug disposition: discrepancies between in vitro and clinical studies. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2008;4:381-93.
  14. Nagata M, Hidaka M, Sekiya H, et al. Effects of pomegranate juice on human cytochrome P450 2C9 and tolbutamide pharmacokinetics in rats. Drug Metab Dispos 2007;35:302-5. PubMed
  15. Komperda KE. Potential interaction between pomegranate juice and warfarin. Pharmacotherapy 2009;29:1002-6. PubMed
  16. Gangemi S, Mistrello G, Roncarolo D, et al. Pomegranate-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2008;18:491-2.
  17. Misaka S, Nakamura R, Uchida S, et al. Effect of 2 weeks' consumption of pomegranate juice on the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of midazolam: an open-label, randomized, single-center, 2-period crossover study in healthy Japanese volunteers. Clin Ther PubMed
  18. Jarvis S, Li C, Bogle RG. Possible interaction between pomegranate juice and warfarin. Emerg Med J 2010;27:74-5. PubMed
  19. Esmaillzadeh, A., Tahbaz, F., Gaieni, I., Alavi-Majd, H., and Azadbakht, L. Cholesterol-lowering effect of concentrated pomegranate juice consumption in type II diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia. Int J Vitam.Nutr Res 2006;76(3):147-151. PubMed
  20. Forest, C. P., Padma-Nathan, H., and Liker, H. R. Efficacy and safety of pomegranate juice on improvement of erectile dysfunction in male patients with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study PubMed
  21. Wright, H. and Pipkin F. B. Pomegranates (Punica granatum), kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) and blood pressure: a pilot study. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2008;67(8):1.
  22. Sohrab G, Sotoodeh G, Siasi F, et al. Effect of pomegranate juice consumption on blood pressure in type 2 diabetic patients. Iranian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2008;9:399-405, 470.
  23. Enrique E, Utz M, De Mateo JA, et al. Allergy to lipid transfer proteins: cross-reactivity among pomegranate, hazelnut, and peanut. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2006;96(1):122-3. PubMed
  24. Hanley MJ, Masse G, Harmatz JS, et al. Pomegranate juice and pomegranate extract do not impair oral clearance of flurbiprofen in human volunteers: divergence from in vitro results. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2012;92(5):651-7. PubMed
  25. Paller CJ, Ye X, Wozniak PJ, et al. A randomized phase II study of pomegranate extract for men with rising PSA following initial therapy for localized prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2013;16(1):50-5. PubMed
  26. Park SJ, Yeo CW, Shim EJ, et al. Pomegranate juice does not affect the disposition of simvastatin in healthy subjects. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2016;41(4):339-44. PubMed
  27. Ross MM, Cherkerzian S, Mikulis ND, et al. A randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of maternal dietary supplementation with pomegranate juice on brain injury in infants with IUGR. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):3569. PubMed

See these in context on the Pomegranate 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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