Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Pycnogenol 50 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Source Naturals

Tablet Or Pill Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Pycnogenol 50 mg is a dietary supplement by Source Naturals 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 Pycnogenol. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Pycnogenol 50 mg by Source Naturals

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: 50 mg of Pycnogenol, a standardized extract from maritime pine bark. The tablet also includes inactive ingredients — microcrystalline cellulose, dibasic calcium phosphate, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, modified cellulose gum, and colloidal silicon dioxide — which are fillers and binders that hold the tablet together.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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 assessable

We hold no graded evidence for this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: antioxidant support from maritime pine bark.
  • Our graded evidence for these ingredients doesn't cover that particular purpose.

The clinical evidence we hold rates maritime pine bark extract as possibly effective for osteoarthritis and chronic venous insufficiency (heaviness, swelling, or discomfort in the legs from poor blood flow). For asthma, it's rated possibly effective as well.

However, for high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), the evidence suggests it's possibly ineffective, so it shouldn't be relied on for that use.

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, though long-term safety hasn't been fully established. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal complaints, dizziness, and vertigo.

Headache has been reported in a single trial. One case of chest pain and one case of worsening heart failure have been reported in patients taking Pycnogenol, though both had prior heart conditions and a direct link to the extract is unclear.

The safety data advises against using this product during pregnancy or while breastfeeding because there isn't enough research to know either way. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your individual situation if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing.

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.

Before you take Source Naturals Pycnogenol, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin or aspirin), immunosuppressants, or diabetes medications — all carry moderate-severity interaction risks with this extract. The extract may increase bleeding, reduce immunosuppressant effectiveness, or lower blood sugar further.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Pycnogenol may be worth considering if you have osteoarthritis, chronic venous insufficiency, or asthma and want to explore a plant-based option — the evidence is modest but favorable for those uses. However, if you take blood thinners, immunosuppressants, or diabetes medications, you need to clear this with your doctor or pharmacist first because the interactions are documented and could affect how your drugs work or your safety.

Discuss it with your healthcare provider before you start.

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 Aug 23, 2023.

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 50 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Source Naturals
Barcode (UPC) 021078003052
Net contents 120 Tablet(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 23, 2023
DSLD ID 296162
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Tablet Or Pill
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 50 mg by Source Naturals, 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 Tablet(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Tablet(s)
Servings per container
50
UPC/BARCODE
021078003052
IngredientAmount% DV
Pycnogenol50 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Dibasic Calcium Phosphate, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, modified Cellulose Gum, Silicon Dioxide, Colloidal

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 Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formula

Proanthocyanidin complex

Pycnogenol the natural plant product made from the bark of the European coastal pine, Pinus maritima. Pycnogenol is rich in proanthocyanidins, a special class of water-soluble antioxidant flavonoids which are excellent free radical scavengers. Proanthocyanidins are believed to play an important role in maintaining good health.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: 1 tablet daily. To build reserves rapidly, start with 1 tablet per 50 pounds of body weight per day, for 7 to 10 days.

Precautions

Note: if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, breastfeeding, consult your health care professional before using this product.

Do not use if either tamper-evident seal is broken or missing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Pycnogenol is a registered trademark of Horphag Research, Ltd. Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract is protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 4,698,360 and 5,720,956.

Copyright Source Naturals, Inc.

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.

See for yourself

Pycnogenol 50 mg by Source Naturals label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Pycnogenol 50 mg by Source Naturals

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

Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Servings per container50 Amounts shown are per serving.

Pycnogenol

Interacts with
327 drugs
50 mg per serving Form: French Maritime Pine Bark Extract

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

Pycnogenol monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Dibasic Calcium Phosphate, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Modified Cellulose Gum, Silicon Dioxide, Colloidal. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Pycnogenol 50 mg by Source Naturals Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Pycnogenol 50 mg?

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 50 mg 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.

Pycnogenol3 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 50 mg, from the product label.

Source Naturals

Name
Source Naturals, Inc.
Street Address
P. O. Box 2118
City
Santa Cruz
State
CA
ZipCode
95062
Web Address
www.sourcenaturals.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Pycnogenol 50 mg by Source Naturals: Common Questions

Does Pycnogenol 50 mg by Source Naturals interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Pycnogenol 50 mg 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 50 mg contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take Pycnogenol if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data to know either way, so the data advises against it during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your specific situation — they can help you weigh the options for your individual needs.
What side effects might I experience?
The most common ones are stomach upset, dizziness, and vertigo. Headache has been reported in at least one study. Serious side effects like chest pain or heart problems are rare and have only appeared in individual cases; those patients had prior heart conditions, so a direct link to Pycnogenol is unclear.
Does Pycnogenol actually work for arthritis?
The evidence rates it as possibly effective for osteoarthritis, meaning some clinical studies support it but the research isn't definitive. If you're considering it, try it and monitor whether your symptoms improve — and discuss it with your doctor first, especially if you're on other medications.
What is Pycnogenol exactly?
It's a standardized extract from maritime pine bark — the inner bark of a specific pine tree. It contains compounds called proanthocyanidins that give it its potential health benefits.
Is this safe to take long-term?
The extract is generally well tolerated in studies, but long-term safety hasn't been fully established yet, so we don't have complete information on extended use over months or years.

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

Not sure if Pycnogenol 50 mg 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.

Pycnogenol 50 mg label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Pycnogenol 50 mg'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

Keep exploring