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📰Read the full Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex) evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.⚠ Patient on antipsychotics — vitex (D2 agonist) may reduce drug efficacy [1]
⚠ Patient on dopamine agonists — additive prolactin suppression [1]
⚠ Takes 2–3 menstrual CYCLES for effect [2]
⚠ STOP at confirmed pregnancy [1]
⚠ Commission E + EMA approved for PMS [1]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable — this is not obtained from food in meaningful amounts; supplementation is the practical route.
🔬 Lab interpreter
Recommended test
PMS symptom diary
PMS symptom diary
Reference range / target
Improvement over 2–3 cycles
Improvement over 2–3 cycles
Primary efficacy measure [2].
Full lab monitoring ↓⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
STOP at confirmed pregnancy. Dopaminergic effects may interfere with pregnancy maintenance [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
Not appropriate [1].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose
How to take
🍽 Timing: Once daily, morning [2].
💊 With food: With or without food [1].
🚫 Avoid: Antipsychotics. Dopamine agonists. OCP (may interfere). Pregnancy [1].
2 Which form?
| Form | Bioavailability | Vegan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ['Standardized fruit extract (Ze 440)', 'preferred', 'Most studied. 20 mg/day. German pharmaceutical [2].'] | Standard | Check label | |
| ['BNO 1095', '', 'Alternative studied extract. 4 mg/day (different standardization) [2].'] | Standard | Check label | |
| ['Dried berry powder', 'common', '300–500 mg/day. Traditional preparation [1].'] | Standard | Check label |
3 Common questions
How does vitex help PMS? ▼
By reducing prolactin through D2 receptor agonism. Elevated prolactin (even within 'normal' range) contributes to PMS symptoms — breast tenderness, mood changes, water retention. Vitex normalizes this [1].
How long until it works? ▼
2–3 menstrual cycles (2–3 months). Effects build over time. Don't expect relief in the first month [2].
Can vitex help with fertility? ▼
Theoretically, by correcting luteal phase deficiency and mild hyperprolactinemia. Some case series are positive, but no adequate RCT exists for infertility as primary endpoint [1].
Should I stop vitex if I become pregnant? ▼
Yes — stop at confirmed pregnancy. Dopaminergic effects could theoretically interfere with pregnancy maintenance (prolactin supports early pregnancy) [1].
4 Clinical evidence
Strong
Dopamine D2 agonism → prolactin reduction: well-characterized pharmacology [1]. Commission E approved for PMS, mastalgia, and menstrual irregularities [1]. HIGH
Moderate
PMS: systematic review of 5 RCTs — superior to placebo for irritability, mood, headache, breast fullness [2]. Cyclical mastalgia: reduced breast pain in multiple trials [1]. Mild hyperprolactinemia: may normalize prolactin in some women with latent hyperprolactinemia [1]. Luteal phase defect: may lengthen luteal phase and improve progesterone levels [1]. MODERATE
Insufficient
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events
Absolute contraindications
✕ Pregnancy — affects prolactin and hormonal balance
Relative
⚠ Dopamine agonists/antagonists (e.g., antipsychotics) — opposing or additive dopaminergic effects
⚠ Hormone-sensitive conditions and combined oral contraceptives — may interfere
⚠ In-vitro fertilization/hormonal treatment — may interfere
🚩 Red flags
● Patient on antipsychotics + vitex — D2 conflict [1]
● Patient on dopamine agonists — additive prolactin suppression [1]
● Pregnant patient on vitex — STOP [1]
6 Interactions
Drug interactions
Antipsychotics (D2 antagonists) Major
Mechanism: Vitex is a D2 agonist; antipsychotics are D2 antagonists. Direct pharmacological opposition. [1]
Effect: May reduce antipsychotic efficacy. [1]
Action: AVOID combination [1].
Dopamine agonists (bromocriptine, cabergoline) Moderate
Mechanism: Additive D2 agonism. [1]
Effect: Excessive prolactin suppression. [1]
Action: Avoid unless directed by endocrinologist [1].
Oral contraceptives Moderate
Mechanism: Vitex's hormonal effects may interfere with OCP efficacy. [1]
Effect: Potential breakthrough bleeding or reduced contraceptive efficacy. [1]
Action: Inform patient. Use backup contraception if concerned [1].
Supplement synergies
Magnesium · 300–400 mg magnesium
Both help PMS. Complementary mechanisms [1].
Both help PMS. Complementary mechanisms [1].
Vitamin B6 · 50 mg B6 (not >100 mg long-term)
B6 also supports prolactin regulation and serotonin synthesis [1].
B6 also supports prolactin regulation and serotonin synthesis [1].
7 Regulatory
Germany (Commission E): Approved for PMS, cyclical mastalgia, menstrual irregularities [1].
European Union (EMA): 'Well-established use' for PMS [1].
United States: Dietary supplement [1].
8 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex) — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Aug 15]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/chaste-tree-berry-vitex/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex) — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/chaste-tree-berry-vitex/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Institution: Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG)
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: February 2027
References: 2 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex) — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/chaste-tree-berry-vitex/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG