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Dietary supplement

Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Bronson

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

Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 mg is a dietary supplement by Bronson with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for eye and vision health, antioxidant support, diarrhea and digestive upset.Based on those ingredients, 275 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bilberry fruit extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 mg by Bronson

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: bilberry fruit extract, standardized to 250 mg per capsule. Bilberry is a berry rich in anthocyanidins, plant compounds believed to support eye and blood vessel health.

The capsule also contains inactive ingredients — microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and gelatin — which are common binders and fillers.

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 Bilberry's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Supports healthy eyes.
  • We looked for evidence on: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Asthenopia (eye strain), Cataracts, Diabetic retinopathy, Dry eye, Glaucoma — and 4 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Bilberry is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Night vision (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Bilberry is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Cataracts, Diabetic retinopathy, Dry eye, and more.

The evidence for bilberry's effectiveness is limited. For night vision, current research suggests it's likely ineffective.

For age-related cognitive decline, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), atherosclerosis, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), there isn't enough reliable evidence in our data to rate it one way or the other. If you're considering this supplement for a specific condition, talk with your pharmacist about what the research actually supports.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Bilberry

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.

Bilberry fruit at food amounts is generally well tolerated, but long-term safety data for supplements is limited, and we'd recommend caution with concentrated doses. The most common side effects are mild: dark-colored stools, flatulence, and stomach discomfort.

In one small study of patients with a particular intestinal condition, about a third reported mild-to-moderate gas; in another, about 13% had temporary digestive upset. A few people have also noticed dark discoloration of the tongue, teeth, or stool — this is harmless staining, but it's worth knowing about.

Bilberry is rated likely safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Bilberry

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 — Bilberry.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 275 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 this, double-check your medications against these types: blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs (Moderate risk of increased bleeding), diabetes medications (Moderate risk of low blood sugar), drugs metabolized by the liver enzyme CYP2E1 (Moderate risk of reduced effectiveness), and erlotinib/Tarceva (Moderate risk of reduced cancer-drug effectiveness). Use the interaction checker on this page with your exact prescriptions.

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 on blood thinners, diabetes medication, or certain cancer drugs, you'll need to check with your pharmacist before starting this. The evidence for what bilberry actually does is weak, and safety data for long-term supplement use is sparse.

It's generally well tolerated when people do take it, though you may notice your stools darken. Talk to your pharmacist about whether this makes sense for you.

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, 2020.

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 Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Bronson
Barcode (UPC) X001MHGGVX
Net contents 60 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Aug 23, 2020
DSLD ID 232970
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 Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 mg by Bronson, 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
X001MHGGVX
IngredientAmount% DV
Bilberry fruit extract250 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Gelatin

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: If you are pregnant, nursing or taking any medications, consult your doctor before use.

Storage

Store at room temperature. Protect from light.

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.

General Statements

Discover the Bronson Difference To Reorder: www.bronsonvitamins.com 1-800-235-3200 Bronson Billberry extract 250 mg, 60 capsules New Bronson Nutrition since 1960

Formulation

Supports healthy eyes

Herbal support Antioxidant

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Take 1-2x daily

Directions: As a dietary supplement for adults, take one capsule 1-2 times daily at mealtime, or as directed by a healthcare professional.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 mg by Bronson label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 mg by Bronson

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.

Bilberry fruit extract

Interacts with
275 drugs
250 mg per serving Form: Anthocyanidins

Bilberry is a blueberry-like fruit rich in antioxidant plant compounds called anthocyanins, and it has a long history of traditional use for eye healt...

Bilberry fruit extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Gelatin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 mg by Bronson Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 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
275Drugs
275 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 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.

Bilberry fruit extract4 drug types · 275 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, bilberry fruit extract might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro, animal, and clinical research suggest that anthocyanidin extracts from bilberry can inhibit platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, bilberry leaf or fruit extract may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that bilberry leaf extract might have blood glucose-lowering activity. Also, one small clinical trial in patients with type 2 diabetes shows that taking bilberry fruit extract 470 mg as a single dose prior to an oral glucose tolerance test lowers plasma glucose levels when compared with placebo.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2E1 (Cyp2E1) Substrates

Theoretically, bilberry fruit extract might decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2E1.
Animal research shows that exposure to small concentrations of bilberry extract in drinking water for around one month increased CYP2E1 activity by 31%. However, exposure over a 2-month period did not increase CYP2E1 activity. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Erlotinib (Tarceva)

Theoretically, bilberry fruit extract might reduce the efficacy of erlotinib.
In vitro research suggests that bilberry fruit extract and its constituents, delphinidin and delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, inhibit the activity of erlotinib. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 mg, from the product label.

Bronson

Name
Bronson Laboratories
Street Address
350 South 400 West #102
City
Lindon
State
UT
ZipCode
84042
Phone Number
1-800-235-3200
Web Address
www.bronsonvitamins.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 mg by Bronson: Common Questions

Does Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 mg by Bronson interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 mg has a known interaction with 275 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 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.
Does bilberry actually help with eyesight?
For night vision specifically, the evidence suggests it's likely ineffective. For other eye conditions like age-related macular degeneration, there isn't enough reliable data to say whether it works or doesn't. If improving your vision is the goal, this may not be the supplement to count on.
What are the side effects?
Most people tolerate bilberry well. The common side effects are mild: dark-colored stools, gas, and stomach discomfort. Some people also notice dark staining of the tongue, teeth, or stool — harmless, just unexpected. Serious side effects are uncommon.
Is it safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Yes, bilberry is rated likely safe during pregnancy and lactation. That said, always confirm with your doctor or pharmacist before adding any supplement to a pregnancy or while nursing.
What's the difference between bilberry fruit and bilberry leaf?
This product is bilberry fruit extract. The facts mention that animal studies have looked at both fruit and leaf extracts; either may lower blood sugar, so the diabetes interaction applies here. Our data focuses on the fruit extract in this product.
Why do you say long-term safety is limited?
Bilberry fruit as food has a long history and is safe, but as a concentrated supplement taken daily for months or years, we don't have robust safety studies. That's why caution with supplement doses is advisable — we just don't have enough long-term data yet.

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

Not sure if Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 mg is safe with your meds?

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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.

Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 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

Standardized Bilberry Extract 250 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.

Bilberry 14 references
  1. Cignarella A, Nastasi M, Cavalli E, Puglisi L. Novel lipid-lowering properties of Vaccinium myrtillus L. leaves, a traditional antidiabetic treatment, in several models of rat dyslipidaemia: a comparison with ciprofibrate. Thromb Res 1996;84:311-22. PubMed
  2. Morazzoni P, Magistretti MJ. Activity of Myrtocyan, an anthosyanoside complex from Vaccinium myrtillus (VMA), on platelet aggregation and adhesiveness. Fitoterapia 1990;61:13-21.
  3. Erlund, I., Koli, R., Alfthan, G., Marniemi, J., Puukka, P., Mustonen, P., Mattila, P., and Jula, A. Favorable effects of berry consumption on platelet function, blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87(2):323-331. PubMed
  4. Hawrelak, J. A. and Myers, S. P. Effects of two natural medicine formulations on irritable bowel syndrome symptoms: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med 2010;16(10):1065-1071. PubMed
  5. Morazzoni P and Magistretti MJ. Effects of Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides on prostacyclin-like activity in rat arterial issue. Fitoterapia 1986;57:11-14.
  6. Pulliero G, Montin S, Bettini V, and et al. Ex vivo study of the inhibitory effects of Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides on human platelet aggregation. Fitoterapia 1989;60:69-75.
  7. Bottecchia D. Preliminary report on the inhibitory effect of vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides on platelet aggregation and clot retraction. Fitoterapia 1987;48:3-8.
  8. Fdez, M., Zaragoza, F., and Alvarez, P. In vitro platelet aggregation effects of anthocyanosides of vaccinium myrtilus L. Anales de la Real Academia de Farmacia 1983;49:79-90.
  9. Biedermann L, Mwinyi J, Scharl M, Frei P, Zeitz J, Kullak-Ublick GA, et al. Bilberry ingestion improves disease activity in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis-an open pilot study. 2013 May;7(4):271-9. PubMed
  10. Hoggard N, Cruickshank M, Moar KM, Bestwick C, Holst J, Russell W, et al. A single supplement of a standardized bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract (36% wet weight anthocyanins) modifies glycaemic response in individuals with type 2 diabetes control
  11. Aichinger G, Pahlke G, Nagel LJ, Berger W, Marko D. Bilberry extract, its major phenolic compounds, and soy isoflavone genistein antagonize the cytostatic drug erlotinib in human epithelial cells. Food Funct 2016;7(8):3628-36.
  12. Prokop J, Lněničková K, Cibicek N, et al. Effect of bilberry extract (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) on drug-metabolizing enzymes in rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2019;129:382-90. PubMed
  13. Chan SW, Chu TTW, Choi SW, Benzie IFF, Tomlinson B. Impact of short-term bilberry supplementation on glycemic control, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and antioxidant status in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. Phytother Res 2021. Online ahead o PubMed
  14. Bøhn SK, Myhrstad MCW, Thoresen M, et al. Bilberry/red grape juice decreases plasma biomarkers of inflammation and tissue damage in aged men with subjective memory impairment -a randomized clinical trial. BMC Nutr 2021;7(1):75. PubMed

See these in context on the Bilberry 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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