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While most studies do not indicate major side effects, pine bark extract may cause irritability and fatigue, and could interact with other drugs. Make sure to seek out the advice of your physician prior to using pine bark extract or the branded name, Pycnogenol.

If you are taking blood thinners, do not take pine bark extract or Pycnogenol unless approved by your doctor. It’s been noted that taking OPCs and vitamin C supplements at the same time could increase blood pressure if you have hypertension. *

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When taken by mouth: A specific maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) is possibly safe when taken in doses of 50-450 mg daily for up to one year. It might cause dizziness and stomach problems in some people.

When applied to the skin: A specific maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) is possibly safe when used as a cream for up to 7 days or as a powder for up to 6 weeks.

Pregnancy: Taking a specific maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) is possibly safe when used in late pregnancy. But until more is known, it should be used cautiously or avoided during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if maritime pine is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: A specific maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) is possibly safe to take by mouth for up to 3 months in children 6-18 years of age.

Auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Maritime pine might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using maritime pine.

Bleeding conditions: Taking high doses of maritime pine might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding conditions.

Surgery: Maritime pine might slow blood clotting and reduce blood sugar. There is some concern that it might cause blood sugar to go too low and increase the chance of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using maritime pine at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Be cautious with this combination

• Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with MARITIME PINE
  Maritime pine can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking maritime pine along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.
• Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with MARITIME PINE
  

  Maritime pine might slow blood clotting. Taking maritime pine along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

• Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with MARITIME PINE
  Maritime pine might lower blood sugar levels. Taking maritime pine along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. *