Grape Seed Extract Contraindications

Jun 30, 2010 | By Linda Tarr Kent

Grape seed extract is marketed as a skin revitalizer, a treatment for allergic conditions and a heart disease preventative. It has powerful antioxidants called procyanidolic oligomers that may combat harm caused by free radicals in your body, which can damage your cells. It’s also used to lower blood pressure, to ease premenstrual syndrome and to treat varicose veins, according to “The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide,” by George T. Grossberg and Barry Fox. This extract, however, has several contradictions.

Vitamin C

You need to use caution if you take grape seed extract supplements and vitamin C at the same time, advises Drugs.com. This combination can increase blood pressure, so caution is especially important if you already are hypertensive.

Bleeding Risk

Taking grape seed extract along with certain drugs that have blood-thinning properties can increase your risk for bleeding or bruising, advise Grossberg and Fox. These include warfarin, urokinase, aspirin, abciximab, enoxaparin, fondaparinux, heparin and ticlopidine. Due to its high vitamin E content, grape seed may prolong bleeding time.

Sensitivity

Using grape seed extract is contradicted for people who have a hypersensitivity to grape seed, meaning you should avoid it if you have such a sensitivity, advises Drugs.com. Symptoms of this sensitivity may include a headache and stomachache. You also may suffer an allergic reaction. You should also avoid this supplement if you are pregnant or nursing, as there is insufficient information on the safety of using grape seed extract during pregnancy or lactation, advise the experts at Drugs.com.