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Dietary supplement

Pycnogenol Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Bio Nutrition

Pycnogenol label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Pycnogenol against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Pycnogenol is a dietary supplement by Bio Nutrition 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.

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Check Your Meds Against Pycnogenol by Bio Nutrition

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Pycnogenol by Bio Nutrition — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Pycnogenol by Bio Nutrition

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

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Sep 10, 2026

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 is a single active ingredient — a standardized extract from maritime pine bark. It's been studied for joint health, circulation, asthma, and cholesterol, and comes in a capsule with a few inactive ingredients: vegetable stearate, vegetable cellulose, and silica (binders and capsule material).

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 Maritime Pine's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Maritime Pine 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: Asthma — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Osteoarthritis — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

Pycnogenol is possibly effective for osteoarthritis and chronic venous insufficiency (poor circulation in the legs) — meaning there's some clinical evidence, but it's not yet strong enough to call it proven. For asthma, the evidence is also possibly effective.

However, for high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), the data suggests it's possibly ineffective.

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 stomach upset, dizziness, and vertigo; a single trial reported headache, and rare cases of chest pain or heart failure worsening have been reported — though it's unclear whether the extract directly caused those.

The safety data advises against use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist 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 taking Pycnogenol, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs — the extract may increase bleeding risk. Also flag it if you take immunosuppressants or diabetes medications, where dose adjustments or closer monitoring might become necessary.

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.

Pycnogenol may be worth considering if you're interested in joint comfort or leg circulation support, with some clinical backing for those uses. However, if you take blood thinners, immunosuppressants, or diabetes medications, you'll need to clear it with your doctor or pharmacist first — the interaction risks are real enough to warrant that conversation.

Anyone pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid it unless their healthcare provider approves.

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 Apr 25, 2019.

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, straight from the product label.

Brand Bio Nutrition
Barcode (UPC) 854936003679
Net contents 50 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 25, 2019
DSLD ID 200766
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), 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 Pycnogenol by Bio Nutrition, 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 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
854936003679
IngredientAmount% DV
Pycnogenol100 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Stearate, Vegetable Cellulose, Silica

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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Take one (1) capsule daily with a meal or as directed by a health care professional.

Formula

Description: Pycnogenol is a patented extract of French maritime pine bark that naturally contains a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids, which offer amazing natural properties. The active compounds act as an antioxidant, as an anti-inflammatory, generates collagen and hyaluronic acid and aids in the production of nitric oxide.

(French Maritime Bark Extract)

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.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General Statements

Each serving supplies:

Recycle Made in USA

Brand IP Statement(s)

Pycnogenol Nature's super antioxidant Pycnogenol is a registered trademark of Horphag Reseach Ltd. Use of this product may be protected by one or more U.S. patents and other international patents.

Formulation

Free of wheat, gluten, dairy, corn, soy, and most common allergens.

Vegetarian

Seals/Symbols

Vegetarian

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Pycnogenol by Bio Nutrition label

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

Pycnogenol label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Pycnogenol by Bio Nutrition

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

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

Pycnogenol

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...

Pycnogenol monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Pycnogenol by Bio Nutrition Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Pycnogenol?

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

Pycnogenol 327

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Pycnogenol interact with 327 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Pycnogenol interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Pycnogenol

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Pycnogenol 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
Pycnogenol full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Bio Nutrition

See all Bio Nutrition products
Name
Bio Nutrition, Inc.
City
Island Park
State
NY
ZipCode
11558
Phone Number
516-432-1590
Web Address
www.bionutritioninc.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Pycnogenol by Bio Nutrition: Common Questions

Does Pycnogenol by Bio Nutrition interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Pycnogenol 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 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 on a blood thinner like warfarin?
Not without talking to your doctor first. Pycnogenol may increase bleeding risk when combined with blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs — the research shows it can slow clotting, though we don't know how big that effect is in practice. Your doctor needs to weigh the benefits against the risk for your situation.
Will Pycnogenol lower my blood sugar if I'm on diabetes medication?
It might. One study found that maritime pine bark extract lowered blood glucose in people already taking diabetes drugs, so there's a theoretical risk of blood sugar dropping too low. If you take diabetes medication, you'll need close blood glucose monitoring and possibly a dose adjustment — talk with your doctor before starting.
Is Pycnogenol safe during pregnancy?
There isn't enough safety data to know for sure, so it's best avoided during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant — they can give you personalized advice based on your situation.
What are the most common side effects?
Stomach upset, dizziness, and vertigo are the most common complaints from studies. Headache has been reported in one trial. Most people tolerate it well, but long-term safety data is limited.
Does Pycnogenol actually work for joint pain?
For osteoarthritis, the evidence says possibly effective — meaning there's some clinical support, but it's not yet proven to work reliably. The same goes for leg circulation problems (chronic venous insufficiency). For high cholesterol, the evidence leans toward possibly ineffective.
Can I take Pycnogenol while breastfeeding?
Not enough safety data exists, so it's best avoided while nursing. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss whether it's right for you and your baby.

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

Not sure if Pycnogenol 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.

Pycnogenol label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Pycnogenol’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Maritime Pine

Interacts with 327 drugs

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

Read the full Maritime Pine monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Pycnogenol'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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