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Dietary supplement

Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by GNC Herbal Plus

Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg 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

Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg is a dietary supplement by GNC Herbal Plus with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for colds, flu (influenza), other respiratory infections.Based on those ingredients, 121 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Elderberry. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg by GNC Herbal Plus

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg by GNC Herbal Plus — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg by GNC Herbal Plus

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.

This product contains one active ingredient: elderberry extract at 500 mg per capsule. Elderberry is the ripe fruit of the elder plant, traditionally used in herbal medicine.

The capsule itself includes hypromellose (a coating material) and silicon dioxide (an anti-caking agent), which are inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Not established
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 established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Elderberry's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: seasonal antioxidant defense.
  • We looked for evidence on: immune function, upper respiratory health, cold and flu support.
  • The closest evidence on file: Elderberry is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Respiratory tract infections (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Elderberry is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Lower respiratory tract infections.

The evidence on elderberry's effectiveness isn't established in the data we hold. Our monograph shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate it for hay fever (allergic rhinitis), heart disease, chronic fatigue, COPD, memory and concentration, and lower respiratory infections — the conditions most commonly studied.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means rigorous studies are lacking or results are unclear so far.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Elderberry

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.

Properly cooked elderberry products are generally well tolerated. Raw or unripe berries, seeds, leaves, and bark can be toxic due to compounds called cyanogenic glycosides and may cause nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, weakness, dizziness, numbness, and confusion — but cooking eliminates these toxins.

This product is made from ripe fruit, so it should not carry that risk. There isn't enough reliable safety information to know whether elderberry supplements are safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so the data advises against use in both cases.

One case report described autoimmune hepatitis in a patient who took elderberry for several years; the person recovered after stopping it and starting prednisone. Nausea and vomiting have also been reported in one case involving an elderberry and echinacea combination product, though it's unclear which ingredient caused it.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Elderberry

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 — Elderberry.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: immunosuppressants / transplant drugs.
  • For scale: 121 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 starting this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take pazopanib (Votrient) or any immunosuppressant medication — including those used after organ transplant, for rheumatoid arthritis, or for other autoimmune conditions. Both carry Moderate-severity interaction concerns with elderberry.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you're taking a blood-thinning medication, an immune-suppressing drug, or pazopanib for cancer, check your exact medications with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product. The evidence for its effectiveness is limited.

Properly prepared elderberry is generally well tolerated, but avoid it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding until you've talked it over with your healthcare provider.

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 22, 2021.

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 Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand GNC Herbal Plus
Barcode (UPC) 048107222208
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Apr 22, 2021
DSLD ID 243137
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 Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg by GNC Herbal Plus, 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
100
UPC/BARCODE
048107222208
IngredientAmount% DV
Elderberry500 mg--

Other ingredients: Hypromellose, 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.
Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

Warning: Consult your physician prior to using this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Discontinue use two weeks prior to surgery.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Formulation

Seasonal antioxidant defense

General Statements

50-day supply

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule two times daily.

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.

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

See for yourself

Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg by GNC Herbal Plus label

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

Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg 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 Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg by GNC Herbal Plus

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 container100 Amounts shown are per serving.

Elderberry

Interacts with
121 drugs
500 mg per serving

Elderberry is a popular herbal supplement, mainly taken to help with colds and flu. Some small studies suggest it may modestly shorten cold or flu sym...

Elderberry monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Hypromellose, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg by GNC Herbal Plus Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Sambucus Elderberry 500 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
121Drugs
121 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Elderberry 121

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg interact with 121 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Elderberry

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Sambucus Elderberry 500 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.

Elderberry2 drug types · 121 drugs

Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, elderberry might interfere with immunosuppressant therapy due to its immunostimulant activity.
Elderberry has immunostimulant activity, increasing the production of cytokines, including interleukin and tumor necrosis factor.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Pazopanib (Votrient)

Theoretically, elderberry might interact with pazopanib, potentially increasing the risk of adverse effects.
In one case, a 65-year-old patient taking pazopanib for 4 weeks for soft-tissue sarcoma developed severe nausea, loose stools, and elevated alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels and was diagnosed with grade 3 liver injury. The patient reported taking elderberry supplements for 2 years, dose unspecified, and was also taking a multivitamin and a calcium supplement. The patient's symptoms and liver enzyme levels improved upon discontinuation of pazopanib and all supplements. Pazopanib treatment was re-initiated, at a lower dose, with no further evidence of liver injury. It was unclear in this case report if the elderberry supplements were derived from the berry, the flower, or the combination.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Elderberry full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg, from the product label.

GNC Herbal Plus

See all GNC Herbal Plus products
Name
General Nutrition Corporation
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
ZipCode
15222
Phone Number
1-888-462-2548
Web Address
gnc.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg by GNC Herbal Plus: Common Questions

Does Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg by GNC Herbal Plus interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg has a known interaction with 121 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Sambucus Elderberry 500 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.
Is this safe if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough reliable safety information about elderberry supplements during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The data advises against use in both cases. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you.
What's the difference between this product and raw elderberries?
Raw or unripe elderberries, seeds, and leaves can be toxic and cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness. This product is made from ripe fruit that has been processed, so those toxins aren't a concern — but make sure you're buying from a reputable brand.
Does elderberry actually work for colds or the flu?
The evidence we hold shows insufficient reliable data to know whether elderberry works for lower respiratory infections or other common uses. More rigorous studies would help settle the question.
What's in the capsule besides elderberry?
The capsule contains hypromellose (a coating) and silicon dioxide (an anti-caking agent). These are inert ingredients that help form and stabilize the capsule.
Can I take this with other supplements?
We don't have interaction data between elderberry and other supplements — only with prescription medications. If you're taking multiple supplements or herbs, it's smart to run them by your pharmacist to be sure they work well together.

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

Not sure if Sambucus Elderberry 500 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.

Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Sambucus Elderberry 500 mg’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Elderberry

Interacts with 121 drugs

Elderberry is a popular herbal supplement, mainly taken to help with colds and flu. Some small studies suggest it may modestly shorten cold or flu symptoms, but the evidence is limited and n...

Read the full Elderberry monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Sambucus Elderberry 500 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 6 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.

Elderberry 6 references
  1. Barak V, Halperin T, Kalickman I. The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines. Eur Cytokine Netw 2001;12:290-6..
  2. Elderberry (Sambucus species). The Poison Plant Patch, Novia Scotia Museum, 2007. Available at: http://museum.gov.ns.ca/poison/?section=species&id=117 (Accessed 16 October 2009).
  3. European elder. Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System. Available at: http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/pp/ppack.jump?p_null=all&p_psn=121&p_type=all&p_sci=comm&p_x=px (Accessed 16 October 2009).
  4. Raus K, Pleschka S, Klein P, Schoop R, Fisher P. Effect of an echinacea-based hot drink versus oseltamivir in Influenza treatment: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, noninferiority clinical trial. . Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2015;20;77:6 PubMed
  5. Ramachandran A, Antala D, Pudasainee P, Panginikkod S, Gupta H. A Plausible Association Between the Use of Elderberry and Autoimmune Hepatitis. Cureus 2022;14(4):e24250. PubMed
  6. Agarwal N, Mangla A. Elderberry interaction with pazopanib in a patient with soft-tissue sarcoma: A case report and literature review. Mol Clin Oncol 2024;20(5):36. PubMed

See these in context on the Elderberry 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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