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Dietary supplement

Uva-Ursi Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbalist & Alchemist

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

Uva-Ursi is a dietary supplement by Herbalist & Alchemist with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for urinary tract infections, urinary discomfort, mild diuretic.Based on those ingredients, 803 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are dried Uva-ursi herb extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Uva-Ursi by Herbalist & Alchemist

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: dried uva-ursi herb extract. Uva-ursi (also called bearberry) is traditionally used for urinary tract health.

The liquid also contains distilled water, ethyl alcohol, and vegetable glycerin as inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Leans against
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
Leans against

The strongest graded evidence we hold for the stated purpose leans against a benefit.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: promotes urinary function.
  • We looked for evidence on: Urinary tract infections (UTIs), urinary discomfort, urinary health, kidney function.
  • The closest evidence on file: Uva Ursi is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Urinary tract infections (UTIs) (Natural Medicines).

The evidence for uva-ursi is mixed. For urinary tract infections, it's rated possibly ineffective — meaning there's reason to doubt it works for that purpose.

For bronchitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia, we don't have enough reliable evidence to say whether it helps or not.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Uva Ursi

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.

Uva-ursi is generally well tolerated at low doses for short periods, but it can be toxic with high doses or long-term use. Common side effects at normal doses are diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, and vomiting.

At very high doses (20 grams or more of dried herb), it's been reported to cause serious effects including convulsions, confusion, and breathing trouble; doses of 30 grams or more may be fatal. Avoid uva-ursi during pregnancy — it may stimulate the uterus and we don't have safety data on it.

There isn't enough information to use it while breastfeeding, so talk with your pharmacist or doctor for personalized advice.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Uva Ursi

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 — Uva Ursi.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: lithium.
  • For scale: 804 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, check whether you're on any drugs metabolized by the liver enzymes CYP2C19 or CYP3A4, drugs cleared through glucuronidation, lithium, or drugs that are P-glycoprotein substrates. Also avoid it if you take urinary acidifying agents (medications that lower urine pH), since they'll reduce uva-ursi's effect.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with graded evidence leaning against its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Uva-ursi may help with certain urinary issues, but evidence is weak and interactions with many medications are a real concern. If you take any prescription drugs — especially ones metabolized by the liver — check them against the tool on this page first.

Keep use short-term and at low doses, and avoid it if you're pregnant or nursing.

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 Jun 25, 2018.

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 Uva-Ursi, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbalist & Alchemist
Barcode (UPC) 667056128524
Net contents 2 fl. Oz.; 60 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 25, 2018
DSLD ID 174818
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher
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 Uva-Ursi by Herbalist & Alchemist, 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 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 mL
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
667056128524
IngredientAmount% DV
dried Uva-ursi herb extract2 mL--

Other ingredients: distilled Water, Ethyl Alcohol, Vegetable Glycerin

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.
Formula

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

OK

General Statements

Promotes urinary function

Botanical preparation ratio 1:4

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: 20-40 drops (1-2 mL) in juice or water. Take 3 times per day. Shake well before using.

Precautions

Contraindications: Do not use during pregnancy or for a prolonged period of time unless otherwise directed by a qualified expert.

Do not use use if you have kidney disease or gastric irritation.

Keep out of children's reach

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

General

NO. UVA-2 1730FR

Seals/Symbols

OK

See for yourself

Uva-Ursi by Herbalist & Alchemist label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Uva-Ursi by Herbalist & Alchemist

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

Serving size1 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Dried Uva-ursi herb extract

Interacts with
803 drugs
2 mL per serving

Uva ursi is a traditional herb used mainly for urinary tract infections, and its leaves contain a compound called arbutin that may have antimicrobial...

Dried Uva-ursi herb extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Distilled Water, Ethyl Alcohol, Vegetable Glycerin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Uva-Ursi by Herbalist & Alchemist Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Uva-Ursi?

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
803Drugs
740 Moderate 63 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Uva-Ursi 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.

dried Uva-ursi herb extract6 drug types · 803 drugs

Cytochrome P450 2C19 (Cyp2C19) Substrates

Theoretically, uva ursi may decrease the metabolism of CYP2C19 substrates.
In vitro, uva ursi appears to inhibit cytochrome CYP2C19. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, uva ursi may decrease the metabolism of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro, uva ursi appears to inhibit CYP3A4. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Glucuronidated Drugs

Theoretically, uva ursi may increase levels of drugs metabolized by glucuronidation.
In vitro, uva ursi extract appears to strongly inhibit UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1 (UGT1A1). However, uva ursi extract does not appear to inhibit UGT1A1 in animal models. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Lithium

Theoretically, uva ursi may increase lithium levels, necessitating a decrease in dose.
Uva ursi may have diuretic properties. Diuretics may increase lithium reabsorption with sodium in the proximal tubule of the kidney. Theoretically, uva ursi might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Urinary Acidifying Agents

Effects of uva ursi in the urinary tract may be reduced by urinary acidifying agents.
Uva ursi seems to work best in alkaline urine. Theoretically, taking uva ursi with medications known to acidify the urine may decrease any effects of uva ursi on the urinary tract.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Theoretically, uva ursi may alter the levels of drugs transported by P-glycoprotein.
In vitro, uva ursi appears to inhibit the multi-drug transporter protein, P-glycoprotein. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Uva-Ursi, from the product label.

Herbalist & Alchemist

See all Herbalist & Alchemist products
Name
Herbalist & Alchemist, Inc.
City
Washington
State
NJ
ZipCode
07882
Phone Number
800-611-8235
Web Address
www.herbalist-alchemist.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Uva-Ursi by Herbalist & Alchemist: Common Questions

Does Uva-Ursi by Herbalist & Alchemist interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Uva-Ursi has a known interaction with 803 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Uva-Ursi 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 uva-ursi while I'm pregnant?
No. Uva-ursi may stimulate the uterus and we don't have safety data on it in pregnancy, so it's best to avoid it. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you're planning pregnancy or are already pregnant.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking uva-ursi?
There isn't enough safety information to say, so it's safer to avoid it while breastfeeding. Speak with your pharmacist or doctor for personalized advice.
What are the most common side effects?
At normal doses, the most common side effects are diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, and vomiting. At very high doses, much more serious effects can occur, which is why short-term use at low doses is important.
How long can I take uva-ursi safely?
Uva-ursi is meant for short-term use only. Long-term use or high doses can be toxic, so stick to the label directions and don't use it longer than recommended.
Does uva-ursi actually work for urinary tract infections?
The evidence suggests it's probably not effective for UTIs. For bronchitis and prostate issues, we just don't have enough reliable research to say one way or the other.

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

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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.

Uva-Ursi label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Uva-Ursi'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 8 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.

Uva Ursi 8 references
  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physician's Guide to Herbal Medicine. Terry C. Telger, transl. 3rd ed. Berlin, GER: Springer, 1998.
  3. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  4. Wang L, Del Priore LV. Bull's-eye maculopathy secondary to herbal toxicity from uva ursi. Am J Ophthalmol 2004;137:1135-7. PubMed
  5. Beaux, D., Fleurentin, J., and Mortier, F. Effect of extracts of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth, Hieracium pilosella L., Sambucus nigra L. and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. in rats. Phytother.Res 1999;13(3):222-225.
  6. de Arriba SG, Naser B, Nolte KU. Risk assessment of free hydroquinone derived from Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi folium herbal preparations. Int J Toxicol. 2013;32(6):442-453.
  7. Park JB, Kim D, Min JS, et al. Identification and characterization of in vitro inhibitors against UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 in uva-ursi extracts and evaluation of in vivo uva-ursi-drug interactions. Food Chem Toxicol. 2018;120:651-661. PubMed
  8. Chauhan B, Yu C, Krantis A, et al. In vitro activity of uva-ursi against cytochrome P450 isoenzymes and P-glycoprotein. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2007;85(11):1099-107.

See these in context on the Uva Ursi 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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