Berberine: What Studies Show, Risks and Drug Interactions
Educational guide · Last updated: October 4, 2026 · Not medical advice.
Key takeaways:
- Berberine is a plant compound studied for blood sugar and cholesterol.
- Studies are mostly short and vary in quality.
- It can interact with medicines and is not advised in pregnancy.
What is berberine?
Berberine is a compound found in plants such as barberry and goldenseal. It has been used in traditional medicine and is sold as a supplement.
What the studies suggest
Several small trials and reviews report modest reductions in blood sugar and LDL cholesterol. Many trials are short, from a few countries, and use different doses. Experts call for larger, better trials.
Side effects and cautions
- Stomach upset, constipation or diarrhea are common.
- It may interact with diabetes medicines (risk of low blood sugar), blood pressure medicines and drugs processed by the liver.
- Not advised during pregnancy or for newborns.
- Ask your doctor first if you take cyclosporine or other medicines with narrow safety margins.
Berberine in products
Some memory and blood-sugar supplements list berberine. See how that shows up in our reviews of Phytomem One and read our guide on blood sugar supplements.
Sources to read next
- NCCIH: Berberine
- MedlinePlus: Berberine
This article is for education only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Healthnilo earns commissions from some links on this site; see our Affiliate Disclosure and Editorial Policy.
Related: Phytomem One review · All guides