Bitter Melon

Bitter Melon suggested uses include diabetes, psoriasis, gastrointestinal (GI) upset, anti-microbial, HIV, cancer, fertility, and skin diseases.

Preliminary research shows bitter melon decreases blood glucose and HgbA1C in type 2 diabetes

Bitter Melon is available under the following different brand and other names: balsam apple, balsam pear, bitter apple, bitter cucumber, bitter gourd, karela, lakwa, margose, Momordica charantia, and wild cucumber.

Diabetes

• 50-100 mL once/day OR
• 900 mg of fruit three times daily

Side effects of bitter melon include:

• Abdominal pain and diarrhea (with bitter melon juice, several times more than the recommended amounts)
• Headache, fever, and coma (with excessive ingestion of the seeds)
• Worsening low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

Bitter Melon has no known severe interactions with other drugs.

Bitter Melon has moderate interactions with at least 25 different drugs.

Mild Interactions of bitter melon include:

• bendroflumethiazide
• bumetanide
• chlorothiazide
• chlorthalidone
• cyclopenthiazide
• ethacrynic acid
• furosemide
• hydrochlorothiazide
• indapamide
• methyclothiazide
• metolazone
• shark cartilage
• torsemide

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Warnings

• This medication contains bitter melon. Do not take balsam apple, balsam pear, bitter apple, bitter cucumber, bitter gourd, karela, lakwa, margose, Momordica charantia, or wild cucumber if you are allergic to bitter melon or any ingredients contained in this drug.
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy

Effects of Drug Abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Bitter Melon?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Bitter Melon?"

Cautions

• Concomitant hypoglycemic medications.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Do not use bitter melon in pregnancy. The risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
• There is no information available about use of bitter melon while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor.