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Are Berberine supplements safe to use and what are the possible side effects that can occur? While generally well tolerated, negative effects can occur if it is used improperly or taken for long periods of time.
Berberine is a compound found in the stem bark, rhizomes and roots of several different plants, including Berberis aquifolium, Coptis chinensis and Hydrastis canadensis.
Because of its yellow color, berberine has been used as a dye throughout history. It is also consumed in the form of a supplement and applied as a topical preparation.
According to the Natural Medicines Database, topical preparations of berberine have been used for chlamydial eye infections and burns. It has also been consumed orally for PCOS, diabetes, candida, high cholesterol, diarrhea, cardiovascular health and other ailments.
Although berberine is considered possibly safe when it is used appropriately, this supplement may still cause side effects.
In addition, this product may not be safe for every consumer. Below is some information about berberine side effects, contraindications, interactions and safe usage.
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Top Berberine Products* ❯Berberine Effects on the Body
Studies have shown that berberine may have several different effects on the body. According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, some of these potential effects include:
- Wound healing
- Weight loss
- Mild sedation
- Protection of the kidneys from damage
- Protection against radiation damage
- Muscle relaxation
- Hypotensive effects
- Increase of sex hormone binding globulin in patients with PCOS
- Support of cardiovascular function
- Positive behavioral effects
- Prevention of gastric ulcers
- Antioxidant effects
- Lowering of cholesterol
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Anti-fungal effects
- Prevention and/or improvement of diarrhea
- Antidiabetic effects
Keep in mind that, while some of these effects have been demonstrated in multiple research studies, only limited evidence exists to support other effects.
Research into berberine’s effects on the body is ongoing. This supplement has not been approved as a drug by the FDA for the prevention or treatment of any medical conditions.
Is Berberine Safe?
Berberine is rated as Possibly Safe by the NMCD when used appropriately and in its oral or topical forms. However, this supplement may not be safe for everyone.
It may also be unsafe when taken in high dosages and/or for an extended period of time. Use berberine only as directed by your doctor for best results.
Large doses have the potential to be irritating to the mucosal membranes of the body. Like many other natural supplements, extremely large dosages can be toxic.
This supplement has the potential to interact with certain drugs and medications, including anti-coagulants, drugs that lower blood sugar or blood pressure, or drugs that act as sedatives.
This plant alkaloid may interact with Cytochrome P450 substrates as it appears to inhibit CYP3A4. Avoid using drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 when taking berberine.
Negative Berberine Side Effects
Clinical evidence of serious berberine dangers is not present in literature. However, side effects have been reported with this supplement. Some potential adverse effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Headache
- Low blood pressure
- Low blood sugar
The side effects of berberine supplements may be more pronounced if high doses of the supplement are consumed.
Berberine Toxicity
Several studies have explored the potential for toxicity when consuming excessive dosages. In two separate clinical trials, for example, researchers were unable to find any evidence that berberine caused adverse effects for the kidneys or liver.
In mice, the lethal dosage of berberine was found to be 329 mg per kg of body weight when taken orally. When administered subcutaneously, the lethal dosage for mice was found to be 18 mg per kg of body weight. These are both many times the standard dosage of this supplement used in humans.
Symptoms of berberine overdose may include irritation of the upper gastrointestinal tract and convulsions. However, the dosage at which these symptoms may begin is unknown.
Berberine Interactions and Contraindications
Berberine may interact with several prescription medications, including midazolam, losartan, dextromethorphan, sildenafil (Viagara), Effexor, Zofran, Haldol, Risperdal, tamoxifen, CNS depressants, antihypertensive drugs, antidiabetes drugs and anticoagulant drugs.
This supplement may also interact with any other supplement that is known to lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, have sedative properties or have anticoagulation effects.
Use of this supplement with herbs that have an antiplatelet effect could result in an increased risk of bleeding. Some examples of herbs with this effect include angelica, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba and Korean Panax ginseng.
Taking this supplement with herbs that have hypoglycemic effects could result in an unsafe drop in blood sugar levels. Check with a doctor before using this herb with alpha-lipoic acid, bitter melon, chromium, devil’s claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, or Siberian ginseng.
Berberine may cause blood pressure to decrease in some users. Taking it with other anti-hypertensive supplements could cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure. Use caution when taking it with andrographis, casein peptides, cat’s claw, coenzyme Q-10, fish oil, L-arginine, lyceum, stinging nettle, or theanine.
Supplements used to induce sleep or promote relaxation may have a synergistic effect with berberine. This could result in excessive sedation. Some examples of supplements with a sedative effect include calamus, California poppy, catnip, hops, Jamaican dogwood, kava, L-tryptophan, melatonin, sage, SAMe, St. John’s wort, sassafras, and skullcap.
Berberine supplements may not be safe for people with certain conditions, including hypotension, hyperbilirubinemia and diabetes.
Supplements that contain this alkaloid are also considered to be unsafe for children, pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding. If you are a member of one of these populations, do not take this herbal extract unless directed to do so by your doctor.
How to Take Berberine Safely
Berberine supplements can be taken orally, administered intravenously and applied topically. For certain uses, it is also prepared into a suppository, drank as a tea or used as a liquid tincture.
In order to minimize the risk of berberine side effects, it is important to take the proper dosage of this supplement at all times.
The Natural Medicines Database reports that oral dosages of up to 2 grams daily have been used without serious side effects for up to eight weeks at one time. Topical preparations have been used for up to 20 days at one time without significant adverse effects.
In addition, subjects tolerated the following dosages well in past research studies.
- For thrombocytopenia – 5 mg of berberine bisulfate three times daily for up to 15 days
- For radiation-induced damage – 300 mg of berberine three times daily for up to five weeks
- For polycystic ovarian syndrome – 500 mg of berberine hydrochloride three times daily for three months
- For obesity – 500 mg of berberine three times daily for 12 weeks
- For liver disease – 0.6 g of berberine twice daily for 12 weeks
- For infectious diarrhea – A single dose of 400 mg berberine sulfate
- For high cholesterol – 0.5 g of berberine twice daily for three months
- For H. pylori -300 mg of berberine three times daily for six weeks
- For diabetes – 0.5 g berberine twice daily for three months
Even though the dosages above caused no serious problems among subjects in research studies, they may not be appropriate for everyone. Talk to your doctor to determine what dosage of berberine is right for you.
If you experience negative side effects when taking this supplement, discontinue use and consult with a doctor before taking it again.
Article last updated on: July 9th, 2018 by Nootriment