Indications
Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia, known in Bangla as Korola) is a vegetable whose fruit extract is used as a herbal supplement. It is traditionally used in Ayurvedic, Unani and folk medicine to help lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, and also for poor appetite, indigestion and some skin problems. Some small studies show a modest lowering of blood sugar, but the evidence is mixed and it cannot replace prescribed diabetes medicines.
How It Works
Bitter melon contains plant compounds such as charantin, polypeptide-p (sometimes called plant insulin) and vicine. These may help the body’s cells take up sugar from the blood, reduce the release of sugar from the liver and slow the absorption of sugar from the gut, which can lower blood sugar levels.
Dosage and Administration
Take as directed on the label or by a registered practitioner. Supplements are usually taken once or twice a day with meals. People with diabetes should check their blood sugar regularly, especially when starting or changing the dose. Eating bitter melon as a vegetable in normal amounts is safe for most people.
Interactions
- Medicines for diabetes such as Metformin, Gliclazide, Glimepiride or Insulin: blood sugar may fall too low. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose.
- Other herbs that lower blood sugar, such as Fenugreek or Gymnema: added effect.
- Medicines broken down by the liver: bitter melon may affect some liver enzymes; ask your pharmacist.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines and herbal products you use.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy, or trying to become pregnant.
- Breastfeeding.
- Children.
- G6PD deficiency (an inherited red blood cell enzyme problem), because the seeds contain vicine, which can cause breakdown of red blood cells.
- Low blood sugar.
- Allergy to bitter melon or related plants.
Side Effects
Possible effects include stomach pain, diarrhoea, nausea, headache and low blood sugar (shakiness, sweating, hunger, fast heartbeat, confusion). Long-term use of large amounts may affect the liver.
Get urgent medical help if you have signs of very low blood sugar that do not improve after taking sugar, confusion, fainting or a seizure, severe stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face or difficulty breathing.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Do not use medicinal bitter melon during pregnancy, because it may cause bleeding, contractions and miscarriage. Avoid during breastfeeding, as its safety is not known.
Precautions and Warnings
- Do not stop or reduce your prescribed diabetes medicines without your doctor’s advice.
- Stop use at least two weeks before planned surgery, as it may affect blood sugar control.
- Children have had serious low blood sugar and seizures after drinking bitter melon tea; keep products away from children.
- Use with care if you have liver disease.
Overdose
Too much may cause severe low blood sugar, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain. If someone has low blood sugar, give sugar, juice or a sweet drink if they can swallow, and seek medical help immediately. Take the pack with you to the hospital.
Therapeutic Class
Herbal supplement for blood sugar support.
Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.