Reputable health institutions like the University of Maryland Medical Center, the Mayo Clinic and the National Institutes of Health agree that supplementing with cranberry may yield a number of benefits for the urinary tract and digestive system, as well as possibly promoting teeth, gum and heart health. There are few serious side effects associated with cranberry pill use, though cranberries may interfere with some medications and may increase the risk of developing certain conditions. Speak to your doctor about the possible dangers of cranberry pill use.
Use
In the past, cranberries and cranberry juice have played a prominent role in a variety of cultures as a treatment for kidney and bladder conditions, a fever reducer, a poison antidote and as a method for preventing scurvy. Modern scientific research indicates that both cranberry juice and cranberry supplement pills are safe and may be effective at preventing the development of urinary tract infections. Additionally, MayoClinic.com reports that cranberry pill supplementation may help prevent stomach ulcers by inhibiting the bacteria Helicobacter pylori from thriving on stomach wall tissue. The dosage amounts used in the studies range from as many as six 300 to 400 mg capsules of cranberry extract consumed up to twice daily, though more research is needed to determine the safety of long-term cranberry pill usage.
Possible Side Effects
Cranberry pills cause few side effects. The most common occur generally with very high doses of cranberry and include diarrhea and stomach pain. People with a history of kidney stones should avoid cranberry supplementation since cranberry pills can significantly increase the urine's concentration of oxalate, a compound that combines with calcium to form kidney stones. If you are allergic to aspirin, blueberries or cranberries, you should not use cranberry pills.
Drug Interactions
Cranberries and cranberry pills contain natural compounds that thin the blood. Because of this, you should avoid taking cranberry pills if you are taking a blood thinning medication like warfarin -- the two taken together may cause hemorrhages and excessive bleeding. High doses of cranberry pills may contain sufficient amounts of salicylic acid -- an active ingredient of aspirin -- to exacerbate the effects of aspirin-containing medications. The supplements may also alter the ability of the liver to properly metabolize drugs like diazepam, celecoxib, ibuprofen and glipizide.
Considerations
Cranberry pills are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. This means that any commercial cranberry supplements you may purchase have not been checked for effectiveness, safety or purity. If you do decide to try cranberry pills, choose a reputable natural supplement retailer and talk to your doctor about appropriate dosages and potential problems before beginning use. Do not use cranberry pills as a substitute for antibiotics in treating urinary tract infections.
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