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Dietary supplement

Pomegranate Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Vitabase

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

Pomegranate is a dietary supplement by Vitabase 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. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Pomegranate by Vitabase

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.

Vitabase Pomegranate is a single-ingredient supplement containing pomegranate extract in capsule form. The capsule also contains gelatin, magnesium stearate, and stearic acid — these are inactive ingredients (binders and fillers) that help hold the capsule together.

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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: High antioxidant properties.
  • We looked for evidence on: Atherosclerosis, Coronary heart disease (CHD), Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, Metabolic syndrome, Stroke — and 3 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Pomegranate is rated "Possibly Effective" for Hypertension (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Pomegranate is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Hyperlipidemia.
  • Also on file: Pomegranate is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Atherosclerosis, Coronary heart disease (CHD), Stroke, Metabolic syndrome.

The evidence for pomegranate is mixed. It's rated possibly effective for high blood pressure — research shows pomegranate juice can modestly lower blood pressure in some people.

For high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) and diabetes, the evidence suggests it's probably not effective. For nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, we simply don't have enough reliable evidence to know whether it helps.

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 as food. The most common side effects from supplements are mild digestive complaints — diarrhea and gas appeared in about 2% of people drinking pomegranate juice daily, and up to 10% taking higher-dose extract experienced diarrhea.

A small number of trial participants reported nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, or vomiting at higher doses. Because this is a concentrated extract supplement rather than whole fruit, use caution and watch for digestive upset when you start.

Pomegranate is rated possibly safe in pregnancy and lactation, though data is limited — talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant or nursing.

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 Vitabase Pomegranate, check with your pharmacist if you take warfarin (a blood thinner), blood pressure medications including ACE inhibitors, drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 (a liver enzyme — your pharmacist can tell you if yours are), rosuvastatin or other statin cholesterol drugs, or carbamazepine (an antiseizure drug). The interactions with blood thinners and blood pressure drugs are the most serious.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This supplement may help lower blood pressure modestly, but it interacts with several common medications, most notably blood thinners and blood pressure drugs. If you take warfarin, ACE inhibitors, or medications processed by your liver's CYP2D6 enzyme, check with your pharmacist before starting.

Otherwise, it's generally well tolerated, though digestive upset can happen at higher doses.

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 Mar 23, 2012.

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 Vitabase
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 23, 2012
DSLD ID 6688
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), 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 Pomegranate by Vitabase, 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:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
IngredientAmount% DV
Pomegranate500 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Magnesium Stearate, Stearic Acid

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

Pregnant or nursing mothers, children under 18, and individuals with a known medical condition should consult a physician before using this or any dietary supplement.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

DO NOT USE IF OUTER SEAL IS DAMAGED OR MISSING.

CAUTION: Do not exceed recommended dose.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

Seals/Symbols

Vb

General Statements

Formulated to Provide High Anti-Oxidant Properties

Vitabase uses only high quality ingredients.

FDA Statement of Identity

DIETARY SUPPLEMENT

Formulation

Contains No Sugar, No Starch, No Yeast, No Artificial Colors, Flavors or Preservatives.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take two(2) capsules daily.

See for yourself

Pomegranate by Vitabase label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Pomegranate by Vitabase

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

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Pomegranate

Interacts with
922 drugs
500 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 monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Magnesium Stearate, Stearic Acid. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Pomegranate by Vitabase 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.

Pomegranate9 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.

Vitabase

See all Vitabase products
Name
Vitabase.com
City
Monroe
State
GA
ZipCode
30656
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Pomegranate by Vitabase: Common Questions

Does Pomegranate by Vitabase 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.
Does pomegranate actually work for anything?
The evidence shows it may help lower blood pressure a bit — that's rated possibly effective. For high cholesterol and diabetes, research suggests it probably doesn't help. For liver disease, there simply isn't enough evidence yet to know.
What side effects should I expect?
Pomegranate is generally well tolerated, but digestive upset is the main concern — diarrhea and gas are the most common, happening in a small percentage of people. At higher doses, some people report nausea, constipation, or stomach pain. Start with the labeled dose and stop if your digestion gets uncomfortable.
Is this safe if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Pomegranate is rated possibly safe during pregnancy and lactation, but data is limited. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you're pregnant or nursing — they can help you decide based on your individual situation.
Can I take this with my blood pressure medication?
Not without checking first. Pomegranate lowers blood pressure on its own, so combining it with blood pressure drugs might drop your pressure too far. Ask your pharmacist — they may need to monitor you or adjust your medication.
What's actually in this capsule besides pomegranate?
The capsule itself is gelatin, and there's magnesium stearate and stearic acid inside — those are just binders and fillers to hold the supplement together. The active ingredient is pomegranate extract.

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

Not sure if Pomegranate 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.

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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