Last update May 21, 2021

Berberine

Limited compatibility

Unsafe. Moderate/severe adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Use safer alternative or discontinue breastfeeding from 5 to 7 T ½ . Read Commentary.

Isoquinolinic alkaloid found in high concentration in plants such as hydrastis, barberry, Oregon grape and others.
It has been used as a flavoring in food and alcoholic beverages. It has antimicrobial properties.

At the date of the last update, the authors did not find any published data on its excretion in breast milk.

Berberine can cause gastritis, nephritis, phototoxicity and severe jaundice due to displacement of bilirubin bound to albumin, increasing risk of kernicterus in newborns, greater in the case of Glucose-6PD deficiency (Rad 2017, Chan 1993).

Given its lack of proven indications and its possible toxicity, its habitual consumption is dispensable and more so during lactation.


See below the information of these related products:

  • Barberry (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Hydrastis (Unsafe. Moderate/severe adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Use safer alternative or discontinue breastfeeding from 5 to 7 T ½ . Read Commentary.)
  • Oregon Grape (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Berberine.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Berberine in other languages or writings:

  • 5,6-Dihydro-9,10-dimethoxybenzo[g]-1,3-benzodioxolo[5,6-a]quinolizinium (Chemical name)
  • C20 H18 NO4 (Molecular formula)

Groups

Berberine belongs to these groups or families:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Berberine in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. Baja - poor %
Molecular weight 336 daltons

References

We are working to add the scientific references of this product. It will be available soon. If you wish to have access to this information, please let us know by leaving your comment in the opinion section below.

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