Are there any dangers in taking berberine?

October 6, 2025 •

3 min read

According to research, many individuals taking berberine experience mild gastrointestinal side effects, such as bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. Before adding this supplement to your routine, it is critical to address the question: Are there any dangers in taking berberine?

Quick Summary

This article explores the risks associated with berberine, including common gastrointestinal side effects, significant drug interactions with common medications, and contraindications for specific populations like pregnant women and infants. Long-term safety is not yet well-established.

Key Points

Significant Drug Interactions: Berberine can dangerously interact with medications like blood thinners, statins, diabetes, and blood pressure drugs by altering their metabolism in the liver.
Gastrointestinal Distress is Common: Many users experience mild side effects, including diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and nausea, which can be worse at higher doses.
Unsafe for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: Due to risks like uterine contractions and the potential for kernicterus (brain damage) in infants, berberine should not be used by pregnant or nursing mothers.
Lack of Long-Term Safety Data: Most clinical research is short-term (under 6 months), so the long-term safety and effects of chronic berberine supplementation are not well-established.
Supplement Quality is Unregulated: As a dietary supplement, berberine is not strictly regulated by the FDA, meaning product quality and dosage can vary significantly.
Risks for Vulnerable Groups: Caution is necessary for individuals with liver or kidney disorders, low blood pressure, and for children, as safety has not been established for these groups.

Common Side Effects of Berberine

Many users experience mild digestive issues when taking berberine, which often improve as the body adjusts. Taking a lower dose or taking it with food can help minimize these effects. {Link: NebraskaMed https://www.nebraskamed.com/diabetes/is-berberine-a-safe-alternative-treatment-for-diabetes} provides more details on typical gastrointestinal side effects, which may include diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, stomach discomfort, and nausea. Less commonly, headaches or dizziness may occur, especially at higher doses.

Serious Risks and Contraindications

Beyond common side effects, berberine poses significant risks for certain individuals and situations.

Dangers for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Berberine is considered unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It can cross the placenta, potentially causing uterine contractions. When breastfeeding, it can pass into breast milk and may increase bilirubin levels in infants, potentially leading to kernicterus, a serious type of brain damage.

Unsafe for Infants and Children

Due to the risk of kernicterus, berberine should not be given to newborns. There is insufficient research on its safety for older children.

Precautions for Specific Health Conditions

Individuals with certain health issues should consult a doctor before using berberine.

Liver and Kidney Disorders: Berberine is processed by the liver and can affect liver enzymes. Consultation is advised for those with existing liver or kidney problems.
Low Blood Pressure: Berberine can lower blood pressure. Taking it with existing low blood pressure or with blood pressure medication can cause a dangerous drop.

Major Drug Interactions

Berberine can interact with many medications by inhibiting liver enzymes (cytochrome P450) responsible for drug metabolism. This can increase drug levels in the blood, potentially leading to increased effects and side effects.

Significant interactions include:

Diabetes Medications: Increased risk of dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Blood Thinners: Increased risk of bleeding and bruising.
Blood Pressure Medications: Can cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure.
Statins: May increase statin levels and side effects.
Immunosuppressants: Significant interference with metabolism, increasing toxicity risk.
Sedatives: Can lead to excessive sleepiness and slowed breathing.

The Uncertainties of Long-Term Use

Most studies on berberine are short-term (3 to 6 months). Therefore, the long-term effects of using berberine are not well-known. Some animal studies have raised concerns about potential liver toxicity and effects on cellular energy, but the human relevance of these findings long-term is unclear. More research is needed to understand its long-term impact.

Navigating an Unregulated Market

Dietary supplements like berberine are not strictly regulated by the FDA. This means that product quality and dosage can vary significantly between brands. Choosing products tested by independent third parties can help verify purity and potency.

Comparing Potential Benefits and Dangers of Berberine


Feature	Potential Benefits (with caution)	Potential Dangers
Primary Uses	Supports blood sugar regulation, aids cholesterol management, and helps with weight management.	Potent drug interactions, especially with diabetes, blood pressure, and blood-thinning medications.
Side Effects	Mild gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea, constipation, gas) that often lessens with time.	Higher doses can worsen GI issues; risks of hypoglycemia and low blood pressure when combined with medications.
Contraindications	None, for suitable populations.	Unsafe for pregnant or breastfeeding women and infants due to serious risks like kernicterus and uterine contractions.
Safety Research	Short-term studies show a good safety profile for mild side effects.	Long-term effects are not well-established, and concerns exist regarding liver metabolism.
Regulation	None, as a dietary supplement. Look for third-party testing.	Variable product quality and inaccurate dosages due to lack of FDA oversight.

Conclusion: Is Berberine Right for You?

Berberine has historical use and some research supporting its benefits for blood sugar and cholesterol, but it also carries notable dangers. Significant drug interactions are a major concern, particularly for those on medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, or blood clotting. It is strongly not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to infant risks. The lack of long-term safety data also warrants caution for chronic use. Consulting a healthcare professional is crucial to assess individual risks and potential interactions before using berberine. {Link: Examine.com https://examine.com/supplements/berberine/} provides a relevant resource on berberine safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should not take berberine with diabetes medication without strict medical supervision. Both berberine and diabetes drugs lower blood sugar, and combining them can significantly increase the risk of hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood sugar levels.

The most frequently reported side effects of berberine are gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhea, constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, and nausea. These are often mild and temporary, especially when starting with a low dose.

Berberine can cross the placenta and potentially cause uterine contractions during pregnancy. During breastfeeding, it can pass into breast milk and has been linked to an increased risk of kernicterus, a type of brain damage in infants.

Yes, berberine can interact with blood pressure medications. Since berberine can also lower blood pressure, combining it with antihypertensive drugs can cause blood pressure to drop too low.

The long-term safety of berberine is not well-established. Most research studies have been short-term (3-6 months), and there is limited information on its effects over extended periods. Consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended for prolonged use.

Berberine is metabolized by the liver and can inhibit liver enzymes, which may affect its function. While some studies show benefit for fatty liver disease, others indicate a narrow margin between beneficial and toxic effects. Those with existing liver conditions should consult their doctor.

Yes, berberine can significantly affect how other medications work. It inhibits liver enzymes (CYP450) that metabolize many drugs, which can increase the concentration of those drugs in your bloodstream and raise the risk of side effects.