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When taken by mouth: Berberine is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults for short-term use when taken by mouth. Side effects include diarrhea, constipation, gas, stomach upset, and headache.
When applied to the skin: Berberine is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when used short-term.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's
LIKELY UNSAFE to take berberine by mouth if you are pregnant. Researchers believe berberine can cross the placenta and might cause harm to the fetus. Kernicterus, a type of brain damage, has developed in newborn infants exposed to berberine.
It's also
LIKELY UNSAFE to take berberine if you are breast-feeding. Berberine can be transferred to the infant through breast milk, and it might cause harm.
Children: It's
LIKELY UNSAFE to give berberine to newborns. It can cause kernicterus, a rare type of brain damage that can occur in newborns who have severe jaundice. Jaundice is yellowing of the skin caused by too much bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a chemical that is produced when the old red cells break down. It is normally removed by the liver. Berberine may keep the liver from removing bilirubin fast enough.
Diabetes: Berberine can lower blood sugar. Theoretically, berberine may cause blood sugar to become too low if taken by diabetics who are controlling their blood sugar with insulin or medications. Use with caution in people with diabetes.
High bilirubin levels in the blood in infants: Bilirubin is a chemical that is produced when the old red blood cells break down. It is normally removed by the liver. Berberine may keep the liver from removing bilirubin fast enough. This can cause brain problems, especially in infants with high levels of bilirubin in the blood. Avoid using.
Low blood pressure: Berberine can lower blood pressure. Theoretically, berberine might increase the risk of blood pressure becoming too low in people who already have low blood pressure. Use with caution.
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Does Berberine have any side effects?
Unlike other natural compounds with pharmaceutical-grade effects, Berberine and its sources have low toxicity and no reports of serious side effects. One study on 48 type-2 diabetic adults found that 35% of the patients experienced momentary and short-lived gastrointestinal issues.
Spread your berberine dose out in to 3 or 4 smaller doses throughout the day to minimize the likelihood of cramps or diarrhea. A second study reported that 5 of 58 type-2 diabetic patients experienced mild or moderate constipation.
Short-term (<1 year) berberine consumption has no negative impact on kidney or liver function. While data related to long-term (>1 year) berberine use is limited, experts don't advise against taking this compound long-term.
Is Berberine safe to stack with other supplements?
Berberine is safe to stack with staple supplements like fish oil, whey protein, multivitamins, creatine, BCAAs, and caffeine. Stack berberine with sodium caprate or p-glycoprotein inhibitors like milk thistle to increase absorption.5 Milk thistle also has strong liver-protective properties.
Do NOT combine berberine with phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors as their fat-burning properties will be reduced. Berberine has a high interaction-potential with certain medication.
Do NOT combine berberine with macrolide antibiotics like azithromycin, compounds interacting with enzymes CYP2D6, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4, organic anion transporter proteins. Do NOT stack berberine with Type-2 Diabetes prescription drugs like metformin. A healthy individual regularly using moderate doses of berberine should experience numerous benefits with little to no side effects. *