Suggested Dosing
Diabetes
50-100 mL qD OR
900 mg of fruit TID
Suggested Uses
Diabetes, psoriasis, GI upset, anti-microbial, HIV, cancer, fertility, skin diseases
Efficacy
Preliminary research shows that it decreases blood glucose & HgbA1C in type 2 diabetes
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Contraindicated (0)
Serious - Use Alternative (0)
Monitor Closely (23)
- acarbose
bitter melon increases effects of acarbose by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- chlorpropamide
bitter melon increases effects of chlorpropamide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- glimepiride
bitter melon increases effects of glimepiride by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- glipizide
bitter melon increases effects of glipizide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- glyburide
bitter melon increases effects of glyburide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- insulin aspart
bitter melon increases effects of insulin aspart by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- insulin detemir
bitter melon increases effects of insulin detemir by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- insulin glargine
bitter melon increases effects of insulin glargine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- insulin glulisine
bitter melon increases effects of insulin glulisine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- insulin lispro
bitter melon increases effects of insulin lispro by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- insulin NPH
bitter melon increases effects of insulin NPH by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- insulin regular human
bitter melon increases effects of insulin regular human by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- metformin
bitter melon increases effects of metformin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- miglitol
bitter melon increases effects of miglitol by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- nateglinide
bitter melon increases effects of nateglinide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- pioglitazone
bitter melon increases effects of pioglitazone by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- repaglinide
bitter melon increases effects of repaglinide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- rosiglitazone
bitter melon increases effects of rosiglitazone by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- saxagliptin
bitter melon increases effects of saxagliptin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- sitagliptin
bitter melon increases effects of sitagliptin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- tolazamide
bitter melon increases effects of tolazamide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- tolbutamide
bitter melon increases effects of tolbutamide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
- vildagliptin
bitter melon increases effects of vildagliptin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Risk of hypoglycemia.
Minor (13)
- bendroflumethiazide
bitter melon, bendroflumethiazide. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Hypokalemia.
- bumetanide
bitter melon, bumetanide. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Hypokalemia.
- chlorothiazide
bitter melon, chlorothiazide. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Hypokalemia.
- chlorthalidone
bitter melon, chlorthalidone. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Hypokalemia.
- cyclopenthiazide
bitter melon, cyclopenthiazide. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Hypokalemia.
- ethacrynic acid
bitter melon, ethacrynic acid. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Hypokalemia.
- furosemide
bitter melon, furosemide. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Hypokalemia.
- hydrochlorothiazide
bitter melon, hydrochlorothiazide. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Hypokalemia.
- indapamide
bitter melon, indapamide. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Hypokalemia.
- methyclothiazide
bitter melon, methyclothiazide. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Hypokalemia.
- metolazone
bitter melon, metolazone. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Hypokalemia.
- shark cartilage
shark cartilage increases effects of bitter melon by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Enhanced blood sugar lowering effects (theoretical interaction).
- torsemide
bitter melon, torsemide. Mechanism: pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Hypokalemia.
Adverse Effects
Not specified
Warnings
Contraindications
Pregnancy
Cautions
Concomitant hypoglycemic medications
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: X
Lactation: N/A
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
Mechanism of Action
Polypeptide P: insulin-like properties (onset 30-60min; peak 4 hours)
Also has anticancer proteins