How to Take It
Pediatric
Grape seed extracts are not recommended for children. Grapes, however, make a healthy and safe snack for children.
Adult
Grape seed often comes in standardized extracts with certain levels of proanthocyanidins. Speak to a knowledgeable provider to find the right dose for your issue.
Precautions
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, contain components that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider qualified in the field of botanical medicine. Common side effects include nausea, itching, dizziness, stomach upset, diarrhea, headache, sore throat, cough, and rash.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take grape seed supplements.
Possible Interactions
Grape seed extract can potentially affect medications broken down by the liver. Numerous medications are broken down by the liver, so check with your physician. Also, OPCs in grape seed extract may interact with the following:
Anticoagulants (blood thinners): Grape seed extract may act as a blood thinner, and could increase the risk of bleeding if taken with other blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin. If you are taking blood-thinning medications, or have bleeding disorders, ask your doctor before taking grape seed extract.
Phenacetin: Drinking grape juice may increase how quickly the body breaks down Phenacetin to get rid of it. This may decrease the effectiveness of the Phenacetin you are taking.