bilberry

Therapeutic Classification: ocular agents, vascular agents

Indications ⬆ ⬇

Complementary/Alternative Medicine: This monograph describes a natural or herbal product that is not subject to FDA guidelines for medicines. Patients and clinicians are advised to read package labels carefully to ensure safe and efficacious use.

REMS

Visual acuity improvement, atherosclerosis, venous insufficiency, varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcer disease, osteoarthritis, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Action ⬆ ⬇

Anthocyanidins in bilberry have a variety of effects including increased glycosaminoglycans synthesis, decreased vascular permeability, reduced membrane thickness, redistribution of microvascular blood flow, and formation of interstitial fluid.

Therapeutic effects:

Decreased inflammation.
Decreased edema.
Decreased blood glucose.
Improved circulation.

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: Unknown.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Eliminated by the kidneys.

Half-Life: Unknown.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO	unknown	unknown	unknown

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

Hypersensitivity or allergy to bilberry;
Leaves are potentially toxic with chronic use of 1.5 g/kg/day.

Use Cautiously in:

Diabetic patients;
Patients at risk for bleeding;
OB: Avoid use in pregnancy due to lack of safety data.

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

Endo: low blood sugar

GI: diarrhea, upset stomach

Hemat: bleeding, bruising

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Natural-Drug Products:

May ↑ effects of anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs and ↓ platelet activity.
May ↑ effects of antidiabetic agents and cause hypoglycemia.

Natural-Natural Products:

Avoid use with chromium-containing herbs and supplements (bilberry contains chromium).
Avoid use with herbs with hypoglycemic properties.

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

PO (Adults ): General use: 80–160 mg of aqueous extract three times daily. Retinopathy: 160 mg of bilberry extract (Tegens®) has been taken twice daily for one mo. Chronic venous insufficiency: A bilberry extract equivalent to 173 mg of anthocyanins has been taken daily for 30 days.

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Liquid extract:
Tablets:
Softgel capsules: 160 mg

Assessment ⬆ ⬇

Monitor BP periodically during therapy, coagulation panel, blood glucose.

Lab Test Considerations:

Monitor coagulation studies in patients on anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents.
- Monitor blood glucose periodically during therapy. May cause hypoglycemia.

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Pronunciation ⬇

Classifications ⬆ ⬇