Turmeric
Other Names: Curcuma, Curcuma species, Indian Saffron
What interactions should I watch for?
Prescription Drugs
Taking turmeric may increase the time blood needs to clot. When it is taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, the effect of the drug may be increased, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding.
- Antiplatelets include clopidogrel and Ticlid
- Anticoagulants include heparin and warfarin
If turmeric is taken by mouth, it may change the production of stomach acid, potentially interfering with Histamine-2 (H-2) receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors.
- H-2 receptor blockers include:
- cimetidine (Tagamet)
- famotidine (Pepcid)
- nizatidine (Axid)
- ranitidine (Zantac)
- Proton pump inhibitors include:
- Nexium
- omeprazole
- Prevacid
- Protonix
Theoretically, turmeric may increase the blood sugar-lowering effects of insulin and oral drugs for diabetes, such as:
- Actos
- Avandia
- glimepiride
- glipizide
- glyburide
- Glyset
- metformin
- Prandin
- Precose
Non-prescription Drugs
Turmeric can decrease the ability of blood to clot after an injury. Aspirin can also delay clotting, so turmeric should not be taken orally at the same time as aspirin.
The possibility that turmeric can increase or decrease the production of stomach acid could interfere with the effectiveness of antacids and over-the-counter medications such as Pepcid AC, Prilosec OTC, and Zantac AR.
Herbal Products
Theoretically, if turmeric is used with other herbs that affect blood clotting, bleeding may occur. Some of the most common herbal products that might inhibit blood clotting are:
- Danshen
- Devil's Claw
- Eleuthero
- Garlic
- Ginger (in high amounts)
- Ginkgo
- Horse Chestnut
- Panax Ginseng
- Papain
- Red Clover
- Saw Palmetto
Because turmeric may decrease blood sugar levels, taking it with other blood sugar-lowering herbal products may result in hypoglycemia--blood sugar that is too low. Herbals that may reduce blood sugar include:
- Eleuthero
- Fenugreek
- Ginger (in high amounts)
- Kudzu
- Panax Ginseng
Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how turmeric interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.
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What interactions should I watch for?
