Which medications should not be taken with turmeric?

In this article:

• Turmeric considerations
• Turmeric interactions
• The bottom line

In this article

• Turmeric considerations
• Turmeric interactions
• The bottom line

Herbs and spices aren’t just for enhancing the flavor of your food. Many also have beneficial properties. Turmeric (Curcuma longa), for example, is a plant that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. 

With its warm, peppery taste, turmeric is a key ingredient in curry powders and Indian dishes. However, it’s also coveted for its potential health benefits, such as its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin, the active ingredient that gives turmeric its vibrant yellow color, may be responsible for supporting digestion, blood sugar, heart health, and more.

However, even though it’s a common seasoning, turmeric supplements are not risk-free. Mainly, they may interact with some medications. Here’s what research and experts say.

What to consider when taking turmeric

“Turmeric supplements can affect how your body absorbs or processes certain medications,” explains Supriya Rao, MD, a quadruple board-certified healthcare provider based in the Boston area. This is known as an herb-drug interaction, when one increases or decreases the effects of the other, and it can have serious consequences. Because of this, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health recommends talking with a healthcare provider before using any herbal supplements, including turmeric and curcumin, if you take any type of medicine.

Even though turmeric is a common seasoning, the risks aren’t the same as food sources because supplements are more concentrated, Dr. Rao says. Not only are supplements more potent, they’re also sometimes formulated with black pepper or piperine for increased bioavailability. This makes their effects—both positive and negative—heightened compared to consuming the herb in your favorite curry. Curcumin does have benefits, particularly its anti-inflammatory properties, but too much of anything can become a bad thing. Curcumin is no exception.

This serves as a good reminder that “natural” doesn’t always equate to “safe.” Turmeric is a natural herb, and though it’s associated with many health benefits, there are times when it can have adverse effects, especially when herb-drug interactions are ignored.

8 turmeric interactions

Turmeric is likely safe when used in the recommended amounts for up to two to three months. However, it may be risky in combination with certain medicines, such as the following.

1. Blood thinners

Research has shown that curcumin may block platelets (cells involved in blood clotting and wound healing) from grouping together, which could disrupt blood clotting. For this reason, it’s known to possess anticoagulant (aka blood-thinning) properties.

Because of this, turmeric supplements could interact with some blood thinners, says Inna Melamed, Pharm.D., a pharmacist in Manalapan, New Jersey. “Turmeric could add to the effects of these medications, potentially increasing the risk of bleeding,” Dr. Melamed explains.

This makes it risky to mix turmeric and blood thinners like:

• Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
• Coumadin (warfarin) 
• Plavix (clopidogrel) 
• Lovenox (enoxaparin) 
• Eliquis (apixaban)
• Xarelto (rivaroxaban)

2. Diabetes medications

Curcuminoids, a group of compounds primarily consisting of curcumin, have been shown to decrease blood sugar levels. Because turmeric supplements may lower blood sugar, they could be unsafe to take with diabetes medications. 

Doing so could increase the risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, Dr. Melamed says. This can cause symptoms like a fast heartbeat, shaking, sweating, and dizziness. In some cases, low blood sugar can be severe.

While stronger studies are needed to confirm its effects, researchers still warn about the additive effects turmeric may have on antidiabetic drugs. Per Dr. Rao, these can include:

• Insulin, such as Humalog (insulin lispro), Lantus (insulin glargine), and Novolog (insulin aspart)
• Sulfonylureas, such as Glucotrol (glipizide) and Diabeta (glyburide)
• Glucophage (metformin)
• Meglitinides, such as Prandin (repaglinide) and Starlix (nateglinide)
• DPP-4 inhibitors, such as Januvia (sitagliptin) and Onglyza (saxagliptin)
• GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic (semaglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), and Victoza (liraglutide)

3. Stomach acid reducers

Turmeric may help reduce stomach acid and the associated esophageal damage, research in animals suggests. This effect of turmeric overlaps with that of stomach acid reducers, also known as antacids. These medications can help relieve gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly referred to as acid reflux or heartburn.

However, other research suggests turmeric, which is known for its digestive properties, can increase stomach acid levels, reducing the effectiveness of stomach acid reducers like:

• Tagamet (cimetidine) 
• Pepcid (famotidine) 
• Zantac (ranitidine) 
• Prilosec (omeprazole)

Because of this, turmeric may worsen acid reflux in those taking acid reducers, Dr. Rao explains. There are also other unwanted effects of curcumin that have to do with digestion. “High doses can cause nausea or diarrhea and have been linked, in rare reports, to liver damage, especially when combined with black pepper extract that boosts absorption,” Dr. Rao says. Though rare, and typically when higher doses are involved, there have been case reports of turmeric-induced liver injury.

4. Certain immunosuppressants

Turmeric belongs to the wider Zingiberaceae family of plants, which has known immunomodulating effects. This refers to the ability of something to either boost or suppress the immune system. In many cases, these effects lend to the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric.

Although turmeric could conflict with immunosuppressant treatments, which are intended to suppress or weaken the immune system, it typically interacts with certain immunosuppressants because of its effects on the liver. 

The best example of this is the interaction between turmeric and tacrolimus, which has been documented in several case reports and animal studies. More specifically, turmeric can block the metabolism of tacrolimus in the liver, increasing the levels and potential side effects of tacrolimus (such as kidney damage).  

5. Certain chemotherapy drugs

Curcumin has a long list of beneficial properties: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and even anticancer. While some systematic reviews call for additional clinical trials in humans with early-stage cancer, there is some evidence to suggest that curcumin protects DNA from the damage caused by free radicals.

In some instances, turmeric may increase the efficiency of some chemotherapeutic medicines, research shows. Laboratory studies also show that the combination of curcumin and certain chemotherapy drugs is more effective at inhibiting stomach and breast cancer cells than either one individually. Albeit positive, these enhanced effects are still interactions. This also isn’t always the case; turmeric can have a negative interaction with some chemotherapy drugs.

Turmeric could reduce the effectiveness of tamoxifen for breast cancer, especially in people who naturally process the chemotherapy drug quickly. One study found that turmeric lowered blood levels of tamoxifen and its active form, endoxifen. This interaction was amplified when tamoxifen was taken alongside turmeric and the bio-enhancer piperine.

While it’s always recommended to consult a healthcare provider before mixing herbal supplements and medicines, it’s non-negotiable in this case. Curcumin is not FDA approved as a treatment for cancer and shouldn’t be used as such.

6. Antihypertensive drugs

While more studies are needed, researchers have identified blood pressure-lowering properties of curcumin. So what could happen if someone takes both turmeric supplements and antihypertensive (high blood pressure) medications? Turmeric could interact with some medications for hypertension, such as Norvasc (amlodipine), Dr. Melamed says. 

For example, one animal study shows that curcumin and amlodipine together have a stronger effect on blood pressure than amlodipine alone. However, this is more likely due to curcumin slowing the breakdown of amlodipine in the liver, increasing its levels and effect in the body. Another animal study found a similar interaction between curcumin and Cozaar (losartan).

7. Certain antidepressants

Further human studies are warranted, but research suggests that there may be an interaction between curcumin and antidepressant medications. Pilot studies have shown that curcumin potentiates the antidepressant effect of some antidepressants.

In one published case, a person taking Prozac (fluoxetine) and a turmeric supplement developed serotonin syndrome after being given fentanyl during a procedure. The report suggested that the curcumin in turmeric may increase serotonin in the brain by acting on the same receptors that many antidepressants do. This could lead to excessive serotonin levels as a result. 

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can also disrupt the function of platelets, increasing the risk of bleeding with other blood thinners. Because turmeric may have similar effects, there may be an increased risk of bleeding while taking turmeric with these antidepressants. 

8. Certain pain relievers

The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin may alleviate certain types of pain, such as joint pain in those with osteoarthritis. It’s been shown to improve levels of inflammation and pain in those with arthritis. However, it may not be safe to combine curcumin supplements with certain medications for pain relief. 

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), and aspirin may increase the risk of bleeding, especially with long-term use. Adding turmeric on top of that may worsen that risk, and the risk may be even higher for those who take higher doses or other blood-thinning medications. If you take turmeric regularly, ask your healthcare provider before combining turmeric and ibuprofen or other pain relievers.

Bottom line: Always consult a healthcare provider

Turmeric supplements have garnered considerable attention for their potential health benefits. The active ingredient, curcumin, is associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, among other things. However, there are possible side effects and herb-drug interactions with turmeric supplements.

If you’re thinking about taking turmeric or curcumin supplements, it’s wise to first consult a healthcare professional, especially if you take medicine of any kind or have an existing health condition. “If someone is thinking of starting a turmeric supplement, it’s always important to speak with a healthcare provider,” Dr. Melamed says, adding that interactions are something to be aware of with this herb. 

When discussing turmeric supplementation, your healthcare provider may want to know key information, such as the dosage, brand, and form, as well as a full list of any medicines you currently take. Be as detailed as possible (e.g., how often you take it, what it’s for, etc.), so your healthcare team can give you the most accurate, personalized medical advice.