What are berberine’s main drawbacks?

Although berberine appears to be generally safe, more long-term safety research is needed. Supplementation with berberine (especially in doses above 300 mg/day) has been reported to cause gastrointestinal side effects in some people, including diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, and stomach pain.^[1] Due to its ability to reduce blood sugar, berberine may increase the risk for hypoglycemia in high doses. Additionally, berberine inhibits several enzymes involved in drug metabolism, so there’s a risk of serious drug interactions when taken alongside other medications or supplements.^[2]