Overview

Rutin is a type of chemical called a flavonoid. It is naturally found in buckwheat and many fruits, and is also available over the counter as a supplement. When you take rutin by mouth, it turns into quercetin, another chemical that is naturally found in plants. People take rutin for many reasons, but very little research has been done to study this chemical. The safety and benefits of rutin supplements are not well defined. Before taking rutin, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is rutin used for?

Rutin, a chemical that is naturally found in various plants, is often used to improve the health of the heart, gut, and brain. However, its benefits for any use are not well defined.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed rutin for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does rutin work (mechanism of action)?

Rutin is a flavonoid that is naturally found in many plants, including buckwheat, citrus fruits, berries, grapes, and apples. When you eat foods or supplements that contain rutin, the bacteria in your gut turn it into quercetin, another chemical that is naturally found in plants. Dietary supplements that contain rutin may come from many different plants, but most are made from the Japanese pagoda tree (Sophora japonica).

Both rutin and quercetin may help to reduce swelling (inflammation) and act as antioxidants. Quercetin may also change the way that your brain responds to certain chemicals, such as serotonin. This has led to interest in taking rutin for many different reasons, including improving the health of the heart, brain, and gut. But the benefits of rutin for any use are not well defined.

Rutin is not the same as a group of man-made chemicals called oxerutins (or rutosides), which are designed to be similar to rutin. Some examples of these chemicals include troxerutin and monoxerutin. Oxerutins are being studied for certain conditions related to poor blood flow, such as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). But rutin has not been studied for these conditions, and it is not clear whether it is helpful for improving blood flow.

How should I store rutin?

You should store rutin according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of rutin?

Rutin is found in many foods and is generally well tolerated. But there is not enough research to know what side effects may be caused by rutin supplements. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

There may be side effects of rutin that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of rutin?

While less common, the most serious side effects of rutin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Rutin may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using rutin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Precautions

Who should not use rutin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use rutin.

• Quercetin
• Quercetin-3-rutinoside
• Rutin
• Rutinoside
• Sophorin
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific rutin products they stock.

What should I know about rutin before using it?

Rutin is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep rutin out of the reach of children.

The FDA has not tested rutin products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using rutin?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know whether rutin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Hormone-sensitive cancers, including breast,ovarian, or uterine cancer
• Are receiving treatment for cancer, including radiation or chemotherapy

Other Medicines and Supplements.Rutin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking rutin, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how rutin could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if rutin passes into breast milk. But when you take rutin by mouth, it turns into quercetin, which does pass into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does rutin interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between rutin and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect rutin.

Does rutin interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are receiving chemotherapy, which is a type of medicine used to treat cancer.

The interactions between rutin and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with rutin is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking rutin with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much rutin?

If you or someone else has used too much rutin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Rutin is found in buckwheat and many fruits. It is also available as a dietary supplement. The dose of rutin may be very different depending on the product you choose and your reasons for using it.

Read the product label closely and speak with a health care provider about how to take rutin safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.