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Dietary supplement

Pycnogenol 100 Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Allergy Research Group

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

Pycnogenol 100 is a dietary supplement by Allergy Research Group with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for circulation and vein health, antioxidant support, skin health and aging.Based on those ingredients, 327 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are French Maritime Pine Bark Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Pycnogenol 100 by Allergy Research Group

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.

Pycnogenol 100 is a single-ingredient supplement: French Maritime Pine Bark Extract (standardized as pycnogenol). This is the active ingredient.

The capsule also contains inactive fillers and binders—hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, rice hull concentrate, gum arabic, sunflower oil, and silicon dioxide—which help hold the capsule together and have no therapeutic role.

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: Antioxidant support for circulation and vein health.
  • We looked for evidence on: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), Varicose veins, Hemorrhoids, Raynaud syndrome, Hypertension, Atherosclerosis — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Maritime Pine is rated "Possibly Effective" for Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Maritime Pine is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Aging skin, Atherosclerosis, Hemorrhoids, Hypertension, and more.

The evidence shows maritime pine bark extract is possibly effective for osteoarthritis and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)—a condition where veins in the legs have trouble returning blood to the heart. It's also possibly effective for asthma.

For high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), the data suggests it's possibly ineffective, so don't expect it to lower your lipid levels.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Maritime Pine

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.

Maritime pine bark extract is generally well tolerated in studies, but long-term safety data is limited. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal complaints, dizziness, and vertigo.

Headache has been reported in a single trial. A couple of rare cases of chest pain and heart failure worsening have been reported, though it's unclear whether the extract caused them—one patient had prior heart disease in both cases.

During pregnancy, there isn't enough safety data, so it's best avoided. The same applies to breastfeeding—evidence is insufficient, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Maritime Pine

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 — Maritime Pine.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 327 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.

Check with your pharmacist before using this product if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin or aspirin)—the extract may increase bleeding risk. Immunosuppressants and diabetes medications are also concerns: the extract may reduce how well immunosuppressants work and lower blood sugar too much.

Use the medication checker on this page with your prescription list.

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.

Pycnogenol 100 may be worth considering if you have osteoarthritis, chronic venous insufficiency, or asthma and want to explore botanical options. Be cautious if you take blood thinners, immune suppressors, or diabetes medications—these need to be checked before you start.

Talk to your pharmacist about your exact medications and whether this product fits your situation.

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 22, 2024.

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 Pycnogenol 100, straight from the product label.

Brand Allergy Research Group
Barcode (UPC) 713947772700
Net contents 30 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 22, 2024
DSLD ID 304273
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 Pycnogenol 100 by Allergy Research Group, 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)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
713947772700
IngredientAmount% DV
French Maritime Pine Bark Extract100 mg--

Other ingredients: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Rice hull concentrate, Gum Arabic, Sunflower Oil, Silicon Dioxide

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formula

Pycnogenol is the original French maritime pine bark extract, providing a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids, and phenolic acids. More than 400 published studies and review articles demonstrate its safety and efficacy.

Original French maritime pine bark extract

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use As a dietary supplement, 1 capsule one or two times daily, or as directed by your healthcare professional. May be taken with or without food.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place, tightly capped.

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.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Pycnogenol Nature's Super Antioxidant Pycnogenol is a registered trademark of Horphag Research Ltd. Use of this product may be protected by one or more US patents and other international patents.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formulation

Hypoallergenic

See for yourself

Pycnogenol 100 by Allergy Research Group label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Pycnogenol 100 by Allergy Research Group

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

French Maritime Pine Bark Extract

Interacts with
327 drugs
100 mg per serving

Maritime pine bark extract (often sold as Pycnogenol) is a plant-based antioxidant most studied for circulation, vein, and skin health. Some research...

French Maritime Pine Bark Extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Rice hull concentrate, Gum Arabic, Sunflower Oil, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Pycnogenol 100 by Allergy Research Group Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Pycnogenol 100?

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
327Drugs
327 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Pycnogenol 100 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.

French Maritime Pine Bark Extract3 drug types · 327 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, maritime pine bark extract might increase the risk of bleeding when used with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.
Clinical research suggests that maritime pine bark extract inhibits platelet aggregation. However, the clinical significance of this effect is unclear.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, maritime pine bark extract might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used with antidiabetes drugs.
One clinical study shows that maritime pine bark extract decreases blood sugar in patients with diabetes being treated with antidiabetes agents. Monitor blood glucose levels closely. Dose adjustments might be necessary.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, maritime pine bark extract might decrease the effectiveness of immunosuppressant therapy.
In vitro and animal research suggests that maritime pine bark extract has immunostimulant activity. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Pycnogenol 100, from the product label.

Allergy Research Group

See all Allergy Research Group products
Name
Allergy Research Group
City
South Salt Lake
State
UT
ZipCode
84115
Phone Number
800-545-9960
Web Address
www.allergyresearchgroup.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Pycnogenol 100 by Allergy Research Group: Common Questions

Does Pycnogenol 100 by Allergy Research Group interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Pycnogenol 100 has a known interaction with 327 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Pycnogenol 100 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.
What is pycnogenol, and what does it do?
Pycnogenol is a standardized extract from French Maritime Pine Bark. The research shows it's possibly effective for osteoarthritis, chronic venous insufficiency (problems with leg veins), and asthma, but doesn't appear to help with high cholesterol.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data to know either way. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Pycnogenol 100 if you're pregnant or breastfeeding—they can help you decide whether the potential benefits outweigh the unknowns for your situation.
What are the side effects?
Most common are stomach upset, dizziness, and vertigo. Headache has been reported in one trial. Rarely, chest pain or worsening heart failure have occurred, though it's unclear if the extract caused them. Overall, it's generally well tolerated, but long-term safety data is limited.
Do I need to worry about interactions with my medications?
Yes—if you take blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs, immunosuppressants, or diabetes medications, you should check with your pharmacist first. This extract can affect how these drugs work and may increase bleeding or lower blood sugar too much.
How many active ingredients does this product have?
One: French Maritime Pine Bark Extract. The other ingredients are inactive fillers and capsule materials that have no therapeutic purpose.

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.

Pycnogenol 100 label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Pycnogenol 100'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 14 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.

Maritime Pine 14 references
  1. Rice-Evans CA, Packer L, eds. Flavonoids in Health and Disease. Manhattan, NY: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1998.
  2. Liu FJ, Zhang YX, Lau BH. Pycnogenol enhances immune and haemopoietic functions in senescence-accelerated mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 1998;54:1168-72. PubMed
  3. Putter M, Grotemeyer KH, Wurthwein G, et al. Inhibition of smoking-induced platelet aggregation by aspirin and pycnogenol. Thromb Res 1999;95:155-61. PubMed
  4. Kohama T, Inoue M. Pycnogenol alleviates pain associated with pregnancy. Phytother Res 2006;20:232-4.
  5. Liu X, Zhou HJ, Rohdewald P. French maritime pine bark extract pycnogenol dose-dependently lowers glucose in type 2 diabetic patients (letter). Diabetes Care 2004;27:839. PubMed
  6. Liu X, Wei J, Tan F, et al. Antidiabetic effect of Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract in patients with diabetes type II. Life Sci 2004;75:2505-13. PubMed
  7. Wilson D, Evans M, Guthrie N et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory study to evaluate the potential of pycnogenol for improving allergic rhinitis symptoms. Phytother Res 2010;24:1115-9.
  8. Araghi-Niknam, M., Hosseini, S., Larson, D., Rohdewald, P., and Watson, R. R. Pine bark extract reduces platelet aggregation. Integr.Med. 3-21-2000;2(2):73-77. PubMed
  9. Trebaticka, J., Kopasova, S., Hradecna, Z., Cinovsky, K., Skodacek, I., Suba, J., Muchova, J., Zitnanova, I., Waczulikova, I., Rohdewald, P., and Durackova, Z. Treatment of ADHD with French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol. Eur.Child Adolesc.Psychi PubMed
  10. Suzuki, N., Uebaba, K., Kohama, T., Moniwa, N., Kanayama, N., and Koike, K. French maritime pine bark extract significantly lowers the requirement for analgesic medication in dysmenorrhea: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
  11. Cisar, P., Jany, R., Waczulikova, I., Sumegova, K., Muchova, J., Vojtassak, J., Durackova, Z., Lisy, M., and Rohdewald, P. Effect of pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) on symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Phytother.Res. 2008;22(8):1087-1092.
  12. Enseleit, F., Sudano, I., Periat, D., Winnik, S., Wolfrum, M., Flammer, A. J., Frohlich, G. M., Kaiser, P., Hirt, A., Haile, S. R., Krasniqi, N., Matter, C. M., Uhlenhut, K., Hogger, P., Neidhart, M., Luscher, T. F., Ruschitzka, F., and Noll, G. Effects
  13. Schoonees, A., Visser, J., Musekiwa, A., and Volmink, J. Pycnogenol(R) (extract of French maritime pine bark) for the treatment of chronic disorders. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2012;4:CD008294.
  14. Wang S, Tan D Zhao Y et al. The effect of pycnogenol on the microcirculation, platelet function and ischemic myocardium in patients with coronary artery diseases. Eur Bull Drug Res 1999;7:19-25.

See these in context on the Maritime Pine 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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