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Dietary supplement

Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract) 50 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Pure Encapsulations

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

Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract) 50 mg is a dietary supplement by Pure Encapsulations 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 (Pinus pinaster) extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract) 50 mg by Pure Encapsulations

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: French Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster) extract, standardized as Pycnogenol, at 50 mg per capsule. It's what we call a botanical extract—the active compounds are pulled from pine bark.

The capsule itself and the other ingredients listed (plant fiber, vegetarian capsule material, and ascorbyl palmitate, a form of vitamin C) are inactive—they're there to hold and preserve the extract, not to create the effect.

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?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • 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).

The evidence for maritime pine extract is mixed. It's rated possibly effective for osteoarthritis and chronic venous insufficiency (heaviness, swelling, or aching in the legs from poor circulation).

For asthma, it's also possibly effective. However, for high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), the evidence suggests it's likely ineffective.

Keep in mind that 'possibly effective' means some clinical trials support it, but the evidence isn't yet conclusive.

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

A few trials reported headache. One case of chest pain and one case of heart failure worsening were reported, but both patients had existing heart disease, so a direct link to the supplement isn't clear.

The safety data advises against use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this—the data just isn't there to say it's safe.

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 start, double-check your medications against these types, worst severity first: blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel), diabetes medications, and immunosuppressants. These are all Moderate-severity interactions documented for maritime pine extract.

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 osteoarthritis or leg swelling from poor circulation and don't take blood thinners, diabetes medications, or immunosuppressants, this might be worth trying. If you're on any of those medications—or if you have a heart condition—check with your pharmacist first.

The supplement is well tolerated overall, but it does affect how your body handles bleeding and blood sugar.

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 Nov 22, 2022.

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 (Pine Bark Extract) 50 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Pure Encapsulations
Barcode (UPC) 766298002262
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 22, 2022
DSLD ID 278340
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten 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 (Pine Bark Extract) 50 mg by Pure Encapsulations, 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
60
UPC/BARCODE
766298002262
IngredientAmount% DV
French Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster) extract50 mg--

Other ingredients: hypoallergenic Plant Fiber, Vegetarian Capsule, Ascorbyl Palmitate

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.
Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommendations: As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule, 1-3 times daily, between meals.

Precautions

Warning: If you are pregnant or lactating, have any health condition or are taking any medication, consult your health professional before use.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Use only if safety seal is intact.

General Statements

Contents may not fill package in order to accommodate required labeling. Please rely on stated quantity.

Scan to learn about our hypoallergenic supplements

Seals/Symbols

GFCO.org Certified Gluten-Free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization, www.gluten.org

Formulation

Supports cognitive function and cardiovascular health

Gluten-free, Non-GMO & Hypoallergenic

Gluten-free, Non-GMO & Hypoallergenic

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Pycnogenol is a registered trademark of Horphag Research Ltd. Use of this product may be protected by one or more U.S. patents and other international patents. Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract

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.

See for yourself

Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract) 50 mg by Pure Encapsulations label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract) 50 mg by Pure Encapsulations

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 container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

50 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 (Pinus pinaster) extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hypoallergenic Plant Fiber, Vegetarian Capsule, Ascorbyl Palmitate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract) 50 mg by Pure Encapsulations Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract) 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 (Pine Bark Extract) 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.

French Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster) 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 (Pine Bark Extract) 50 mg, from the product label.

Pure Encapsulations

See all Pure Encapsulations products
Name
Pure Encapsulations
Street Address
490 Boston Post Road
City
Sudbury
State
MA
Phone Number
1-800-753-2277
Web Address
www.PureEncapsulations.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract) 50 mg by Pure Encapsulations: Common Questions

Does Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract) 50 mg by Pure Encapsulations interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract) 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 (Pine Bark Extract) 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.
What is Pycnogenol, and where does it come from?
Pycnogenol is a standardized extract from French Maritime Pine bark. It's the brand name for this particular form of the extract, and it's what's in this capsule. We use it because the research on this condition used this specific version.
Can I take this if I'm on aspirin or another blood thinner?
Not without checking with your pharmacist first. The extract may increase bleeding risk when combined with these drugs. Use the medication checker on this page with your exact prescriptions, then talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting.
Will this lower my blood sugar if I take diabetes medication?
Possibly—one clinical study showed it can decrease blood sugar. If you're on diabetes drugs, you'd need close blood glucose monitoring and your doctor might need to adjust your dose. Don't start this without talking to your prescriber first.
What side effects should I watch for?
The most common are stomach upset, dizziness, and vertigo. Headache has been reported in a few trials. Chest pain and worsening heart failure were rare and occurred in people who already had heart disease, but mention any new chest symptoms to your doctor right away.
Is this safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data either way. The evidence advises against using it during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
Does this really work for what it claims?
For osteoarthritis and leg swelling from poor circulation, the evidence says possibly effective—meaning some good studies support it, but we need more research to be sure. For high cholesterol, it's rated possibly ineffective.

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

Not sure if Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract) 50 mg 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 (Pine Bark Extract) 50 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract) 50 mg’s Ingredients

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

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract) 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

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