Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on May 19, 2023.
Official answer
by Drugs.com
Cranberry may increase the anticoagulant effect from blood thinners like warfarin and lead to bruising or bleeding.
If you take an oral blood thinner, check with your doctor before consuming large amounts of cranberry or cranberry juice. You may need to have your International Normalized Ratio (INR) or other blood clotting lab test checked more frequently, or have your warfarin (Jantoven) dose changed.
Call your doctor right away if you have signs of an interaction such as unusual bleeding or bruising, vomiting, blood in your urine or stools, headache, dizziness, or weakness.
In one case report in a kidney transplant patient, lower tacrolimus blood levels were reported when used with cranberry juice extract. Levels returned to normal when cranberry cranberry juice extract was stopped.
It is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you use, including prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Learn more: Drug interactions with cranberry (in more detail)
Does cranberry work for a UTI?
Some people drink cranberry juice to help prevent urinary tract infections (UTI).
- Although data are conflicting, some studies suggest cranberry can reduce recurrent UTIs some patients, but it is not likely to be helpful in curing an established UTI.
- However, increasing fluid intake in general (such as water) can help reduce the risk of a UTI recurrence. Some clinicians recommend a daily target of 2 to 3 liters of fluid per day. If you have recurrent UTIs, contact your doctor for further advice.
- A UTI can worsen to a kidney or blood infection so it important to see your doctor to determine if you need an antibiotic.
Cranberries are thought to be helpful for UTIs as they contain proanthocyanidins and fructose, agents that may stop the bacteria being able to attach to cell walls in the urinary system.
Drinking cranberry juice is probably not harmful, but it can be high in calories and sugar, and may cause heartburn, diarrhea or weight gain in some people. Cranberry products may also promote kidney stone formation by increasing urine oxalate excretion.
This is not all the information you need to know about cranberry drug interactions for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full cranberry information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
Related questions
- Does cranberry juice help prevent a UTI?
- How to treat a UTI at home?
- Yeast Infections
References
- Sobota AE. Inhibition of bacterial adherence by cranberry juice: potential use for the treatment of urinary tract infections. J Urol. 1984 May;131(5):1013-6. doi: 10.1016/s0022-5347(17)50751-x
- Gupta K (author). Recurrent simple cystitis in women. Up to Date. Last updated: Apr 28, 2022. Accessed May 19, 2023 at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/recurrent-simple-cystitis-in-women
- Dave AA, Samuel J. Suspected Interaction of Cranberry Juice Extracts and Tacrolimus Serum Levels: A Case Report. Cureus. 2016 May 16;8(5):e610
- Cranberry. Integrative medicine. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Accessed May 19, 2023 athttps://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/cranberry
- Urinary tract infection (UTI). Drugs.com. Accessed May 19, 2023 at https://www.drugs.com/mcd/urinary-tract-infection-uti#lifestyle-and-home-remedies
- McCallum K. UTI Home Remedies: Does Cranberry Juice Really Help Houston Methodist. Nov. 4, 2021.
Read next
Although ciprofloxacin starts working within hours of taking it, you may not notice an improvement in your symptoms for 2 to 3 days. For some infections, such as osteomyelitis (a bone infection), it may take up to a week before you show any improvement. Continue reading
UTIs are not contagious nor sexually transmitted – that is you cannot catch them from another person – but some women do get them frequently and they can occur after sexual activity, when bacteria in the vagin*l area get pushed near or into the urethra. In most cases, the sexual partners of a person with a UTI will not need treatment. Continue reading
Amoxicillin is a safe oral, broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribed by veterinarians for bacterial infections in dogs. Amoxicillin is well-tolerated by most dogs, but common side effects may occur, like diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, skin rash or allergy. Contact your veterinarian right away if you have concerns about amoxicillin side effects in your dog. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- Does a UTI always need to be treated with an antibiotic?
- What happens if antibiotics don’t work for UTI?
- Does Flagyl treat UTI infections?
- UTI vs Bladder vs Yeast Infections - What's the difference?
- What antibiotics are used to treat UTI?
- Does Bactrim cause headaches?
- What dose of co-trimoxazole is used in a patient with a UTI?
- Can clarithromycin be used to treat UTI's?
- What is "dual release" nitrofurantoin?
- How do you get a bladder infection?
- How do you know if you have a bladder infection?
- Do I have a Urinary Tract Infection?
- What type of drug is Zemdri?
- What drugs are contained in Vabomere?
- What do I need to know about Medications/Vaccinations before I Travel?
- Smart use of Antibiotics
Drug information
- Cranberry Information for Consumers
- (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Cranberry(detailed)
Related support groups
- Cranberry(12 questions, 15 members)
- Urinary Tract Infection(197 questions, 598 members)
Medical Disclaimer
FAQs
Possible Interactions
What medications cannot be taken with cranberry? ›
by Drugs.com
Cranberry may increase the anticoagulant effect from blood thinners like warfarin and lead to bruising or bleeding. If you take an oral blood thinner, check with your doctor before consuming large amounts of cranberry or cranberry juice.
Can you drink cranberry juice if you take blood pressure tablets? ›
It's possible that too much cranberry in your diet can interfere with fluid balance. The properties of cranberries can also act as a blood thinner, so be aware if you're taking aspirin or a blood thinner medication.
Can you take Tylenol with cranberry juice? ›
No interactions were found between cranberry and Tylenol Cold + Mucus Severe.
What cancers do cranberries prevent? ›
Specifically, cranberry derived ursolic acid, proanthocyanidins and an organic-soluble cranberry extract inhibit the growth of breast, colon, cervical, glioblastoma, leukemia, lung, melanoma, oral cavity, prostate and renal cancer cell lines [26,29,30,46].
What medications are affected by cranberry juice? ›
Interactions ?
- Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with CRANBERRY. Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. ...
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor) interacts with CRANBERRY. ...
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates) interacts with CRANBERRY. ...
- Nifedipine (Procardia) interacts with CRANBERRY.
Stomach upset or diarrhea may occur with very large doses. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: severe stomach/abdominal pain. A very serious allergic reaction to this product is rare.
Who should not drink cranberry juice? ›
Aspirin: Like aspirin, cranberries contain salicylic acid. If you take aspirin regularly, as a blood-thinner, for example, or if you are allergic to aspirin, you should not take cranberry supplements or drink a lot of juice. Other medications: Cranberry may interact with medications that are broken down by the liver.
What is the number one fruit to lower blood pressure? ›
The top fruits for lowering blood pressure include bananas, apples, pears, apricots, grapes, raisins, kiwis, mangoes, watermelon, pomegranate, plums, prunes, avocado, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, tomatoes, citrus fruit, berries, and more.
What is the number one drink to lower blood pressure? ›
The top drinks for lowering blood pressure include water, fruit juices (pomegranate, prune, cranberry, cherry), vegetable juice (tomato, raw beet), tea (black, green), and skim milk.
Healthy levels of cholesterol and blood pressure directly affect kidney health, as the kidney acts as a filter for the blood passing through the body. The juice from cranberries is also shown to keep pathogenic bacteria from accumulating at the walls of the kidneys and can prevent infections or diseases from occurring.
What should you never mix with Tylenol? ›
Key takeaways:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be dangerous when taken with other medications that contain acetaminophen. ...
- Taking acetaminophen and drinking alcohol in large amounts can be risky. ...
- Acetaminophen can also interact with warfarin, some seizure medications, and isoniazid.
Reduce Side Effects. People taking omeprazole may increase absorption of dietary vitamin B12 by drinking cranberry (Vaccinium marocarpon) juice or other acidic liquids with vitamin B12-containing foods. The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Does cranberry juice lower PSA levels? ›
Of course if you have been drinking cranberry juice on a regular basis (whether you have prostate cancer or not), then what is clear is that you and your doctors had better be aware that this can lower PSA levels.
Is cranberry good for the colon? ›
Cranberries, provided in limited animal studies as freeze-dried fruit, powders, extracts or purified compounds, can increase antioxidant enzyme activity, decrease oxidative stress and reduce inflammation and tumor incidence in the colon.
Can you drink too much cranberry juice? ›
Although cranberry juice is safe to consume in moderation, drinking too much can cause side effects such as upset stomach, diarrhea, and blood sugar spikes. In the past, it was believed that cranberry juice can slow the growth of bacteria and therefore is useful in treating urinary tract infections.
Does cranberry interact with omeprazole? ›
Reduce Side Effects. People taking omeprazole may increase absorption of dietary vitamin B12 by drinking cranberry (Vaccinium marocarpon) juice or other acidic liquids with vitamin B12-containing foods. The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Do cranberry pills interfere with antibiotics? ›
Analyses showed that the cranberry extract increases bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics by acting in two ways. First, it makes the bacterial cell wall more permeable to the antibiotic, and second, it interferes with the mechanism used by the bacteria to pump out the antibiotic.
Is cranberry hard on the liver? ›
There have been no convincing reports of serum enzyme elevations, jaundice or clinically apparent liver injury associated with cranberry use. Likelihood score: E (unlikely cause of clinically apparent liver injury).
Is it OK to take probiotics and cranberry pills together? ›
In conclusion, this pilot study showed that BKPro-Cyan was safe and effective for preventing recurrent UTIs in premenopausal adult women. It is the first study of its type, suggesting clinical benefit with an oral probiotic and cranberry extract combination product in a disorder commonly treated in community practice.
