The short answer
Not known in people. In one small rat study, amla given with metformin for a week lowered blood sugar more than metformin alone. In a 90-day trial in people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, an amla extract lowered sugar by itself. But amla and metformin went to separate groups, so the trial tells us nothing about taking both.
We found no study of people taking amla and metformin together. Because both lower blood sugar, amla capsules or extract could add to metformin's effect. If you take metformin, tell your prescribing doctor before you start amla supplements, and ask whether you should check your sugar more often.
Metformin is sold in India as Glycomet and Glycomet SR. Glycomet-GP also contains glimepiride.
At a glance
| What was seen | How it may work | Direction | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower blood sugar with amla plus metformin than with metformin alone[2] | Not established; drug levels were not measured | Could add to metformin's sugar-lowering effect | Animal |
| Amla extract lowered fasting sugar and HbA1c on its own[1] | Not established | Works in the same direction as metformin | RCT |
No listing is not a clearance. A missing interaction here never means a combination is safe.
The evidence, study by study
Open-label trial against metformin, 2022 RCT
Adults newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and raised cholesterol took an amla extract standardised to 10% beta-glucogallin (1 g or 2 g a day) or metformin 500 mg a day for 90 days. Fasting sugar, after-meal sugar and HbA1c fell in all three groups, and no serious side effects were seen. Nobody took amla and metformin together. The trial was open-label, and its authors work for Sabinsa, the company that makes the extract.[1]
Rat study, 2013 Animal
Diabetic rats, six to a group, were given amla extract, metformin or both for seven days. Final blood sugar was 103.8 mg/dL with the combination against 127.5 mg/dL with metformin alone. The study did not measure metformin levels, so it cannot say why. Animal results show the question is worth asking. They cannot tell us what happens in people.[2]
What your doctor may watch for
- Fasting and after-meal blood sugar, and HbA1c at your usual reviews. These were the measures that fell with amla extract in the trial.[1]
- Any new low sugar reading. The metformin label says metformin by itself does not cause low blood sugar except in special circumstances, so a low reading after adding amla is worth reporting.[3]
What to tell your prescribing doctor
You can read this out, or show them this page:
“I am taking, or planning to take, amla (fruit, juice, powder or capsules, and how much) along with metformin. Amla lowered sugar further with metformin in a rat study, and amla extract lowered sugar on its own in people. Should I check my blood sugar more often?”
Withheld until review
Questions people ask
Is amla powder or juice the same as the extract in the trial?
No. The human trial used a branded amla extract standardised to one compound, beta-glucogallin. Fresh amla, juice and churna were not tested and may not act the same way.[1]
Is amla good for diabetes? Can it replace metformin?
One 90-day trial found an amla extract lowered blood sugar in newly diagnosed people, but it was open-label and run by the extract's maker. That is far too little to replace a prescribed medicine, and any change to metformin is for your doctor to decide.[1]
Related
Type 2 diabetes (sugar): what Ayurveda offers
Some herbs, such as methi and karela, lowered HbA1c a little in trials. Taken with diabetes medicines, they can add to the risk of low sugar.
InteractionAmla and blood pressure medicines
Two trials disagree. One found amla lowered blood pressure further in people on BP medicines; a larger one found no extra effect.
InteractionAshwagandha with metformin and insulin
Not studied in people. A US health agency lists diabetes medicines among those ashwagandha might interact with, without details.
InteractionTriphala and metformin
We found no study of triphala with metformin. A review lists a sugar-lowering effect among triphala's reported effects, so the two could add up.
Sources
- Majeed M, Mundkur L, Paulose S, Nagabhushanam K. Novel Emblica officinalis extract containing beta-glucogallin vs. metformin: a randomized, open-label, comparative efficacy study in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with dyslipidemia. Food Funct. 2022;13:9523-9531. PMID 35996967.
- Sakthivel K, Senthamarai R, Karpagam Kumara Sundari S, Rajesh C. Pharmacodynamic drug interaction of metformin with amla (Emblica officinalis) in rats. Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences. 2013;4(1):1030-1033.
- Metformin hydrochloride tablets, US prescribing information (DailyMed).
Updated 4 November 2026
Taking amla with other medicines? A vaidya can check your full list.
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