Medications and Supplements Not To Take With Turmeric

Turmeric is an Asian spice from the turmeric plant Curcuma longa, part of the ginger Zingiberaceae family. It contains curcumin, a natural pigment that gives turmeric its yellow color.

Studies have found that turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Both turmeric and curcumin have been used to treat many inflammatory conditions, including osteoarthritis (OA), seasonal allergies, and respiratory (lung) infections. Some research also shows that turmeric can improve health conditions such as depression, hyperlipidemia (high blood fat levels), and Alzheimer's disease. You can consume turmeric as a spice or tea or take it as a dietary supplement.

Even though turmeric is considered a natural product, it may interact with certain medications and supplements. These interactions may affect how well a medication works or how well your body absorbs the medicine.

1. Cancer Medications

Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. It may protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that may play a role in the development of chronic health conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

Chemotherapy drugs work by killing cells (both cancerous and non-cancerous) and blocking cancer cells from growing. Therefore, it is believed that the antioxidants in turmeric may lower how well certain chemotherapy drugs work.

Numerous studies have found that turmeric lowers the success of certain cancer medicines. Some studies report that turmeric does not affect chemotherapy much, while others have found that turmeric may help chemotherapy work better. The differences in results may relate to the dose of turmeric, as well as the type of chemotherapy received.

If you are taking medications for cancer, check with your healthcare provider before taking turmeric.

2. Blood-Thinning Medications

Antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications prevent blood clotting and "thin" the blood. They are commonly used to treat or prevent conditions like blood clots or cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attacks. Examples of blood thinners include Coumadin (warfarin), Plavix (clopidogrel), and aspirin.

Turmeric can act like a blood thinner and may increase your risk for bleeding and bruising if taken with other blood-thinning medications. Signs and symptoms of severe bleeding include coughing up blood, blood in your urine or stool, severe headache, dizziness, and a cut that does not stop bleeding. See a healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

3. Blood Sugar-Lowering Medications

Turmeric and curcumin may lower blood sugar, so you should be cautious if you are taking any medication for diabetes that lowers blood sugar. Blood sugar-lowering medications include glyburide, insulin, and Ozempic (semaglutide).

Taking turmeric along with other diabetes medicines may cause your blood sugar to drop too low, also called hypoglycemia. Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include fast heartbeat, shakiness, anxiety, dizziness, and confusion.

One study found that people with type 2 diabetes taking curcumin with glyburide may see benefits in blood sugar control. Larger studies are needed to evaluate treatment safety and effectiveness.

If you are taking medication for high blood sugar or diabetes, talk with your healthcare provider before starting turmeric. Monitor your blood sugar levels closely if you take turmeric with other blood sugar-lowering medications.

4. Amlodipine

Norvasc (amlodipine) is a medication used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart disease in adults and some children. Taking turmeric with amlodipine may increase the medication's levels in your body, increasing the side effects experienced with amlodipine. Side effects reported with amlodipine include stomach pain, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, severe chest pain, and fainting.

Researchers report a drastic increase in amlodipine levels in the body when taken with turmeric. However, taking the two products together does not appear to lower blood pressure. Amlodipine and turmeric interaction studies have only been conducted in animals, so research in humans is needed.

5. Estrogen

Large amounts of turmeric may interfere with the effects of estrogen hormone replacement therapy. Research has shown that turmeric binds to estrogen receptors in the body, blocking estrogen from binding where it should and lowering the effectiveness of estrogen therapy in the body.

Estrogen hormone therapy manages menopausal symptoms (e.g., heat flashes) and increases estrogen levels in the body. Examples of estrogen therapy include Premarin (conjugated equine estrogens), ethinyl estradiol, and Estrace (estradiol).

6. Tamoxifen

Nolvadex (tamoxifen) is an antiestrogen medication used to treat breast cancer. It works by blocking estrogen activity in the breast, potentially stopping the growth of some tumors. Turmeric may reduce levels of tamoxifen in the body, affecting how well the medication works.

In a small study of people with breast cancer taking 20-30 milligrams of tamoxifen daily, adding curcumin and piperine (a compound found in back pepper) lowered tamoxifen levels in the blood. When only given curcumin, the reduction was not as noticeable. More research is needed to understand the interaction between turmeric and tamoxifen.

7. Medications That Can Harm the Liver

One of the more severe side effects reported with turmeric is liver damage. This side effect is most commonly reported with curcumin doses of 250-1,800 milligrams daily.

Examples of liver damage include hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), cholestasis (when the flow of bile from the liver stops or slows down), and cellular liver injury. Common symptoms of liver damage include jaundice (yellowish appearance of the whites of the eyes and skin), abdominal pain, nausea, and dark urine.

Taking turmeric alongside medications that can harm the liver, such as amiodarone, methotrexate, some seizure medicines, and tetracyclines, may increase the risk of liver damage. Talk with your healthcare provider to determine if any medications you are taking can cause liver damage.

If you notice any liver damage symptoms, stop taking turmeric and talk with your healthcare provider immediately. Stopping the turmeric supplement should help resolve any liver damage caused, but additional treatment may be necessary if the damage is severe.

8. Sulfasalazine

Sulfasalazine is an anti-inflammatory medication used to treat autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Taking turmeric with this medication may increase sulfasalazine levels in your body, potentially causing side effects. Side effects reported with sulfasalazine include rash, stomach pain, chest pain, weakness, and seizures.

Talk with your healthcare provider before starting turmeric if you take sulfasalazine. They can help you determine the benefits vs. risks of taking both medicines.

9. Tacrolimus

Prograf (tacrolimus) is an immunosuppressant used to prevent rejection in people who have received a heart, kidney, liver, or lung transplant. It blocks the immune system to prevent it from attacking the transplanted organ. Turmeric may raise the amount of tacrolimus in your body, increasing the risk of side effects and kidney damage. Serious side effects reported with tacrolimus include difficulty urinating, trouble breathing, fast heartbeat, seizures, and unusual bleeding or bruising.

The interaction between turmeric and tacrolimus is likely related to the metabolization of both substances in the liver. Stopping the turmeric supplement should help resolve any kidney damage caused. If the damage is severe, additional treatment may be necessary.

10. Losartan

Cozaar (losartan) is a medication that treats high blood pressure and certain heart conditions in adults. Taking turmeric with losartan may increase the blood pressure-lowering effects and side effects experienced with losartan. Side effects reported with losartan include muscle cramps, diarrhea, hoarseness, difficulty breathing, and chest pain.

An animal study found that taking turmeric with losartan can increase the risk of low blood pressure. Signs and symptoms of low blood pressure (hypotension) include nausea, dizziness, weakness, and cold skin. Research in humans is needed to understand how safe turmeric and losartan are together.

Supplements to Not Mix with Turmeric

Supplements that should not be taken with turmeric include:

• Iron supplements: Turmeric may lower the absorption of iron in the body. Some research indicates that this risk is not of significant concern and that the products can be taken together.
• Supplements that affect blood clotting: Turmeric may slow blood clotting and increase bleeding risk. Taking turmeric with other supplements known to affect blood clotting, including vitamin E, n-acetyl cysteine (NAC), and saw palmetto, can increase these risks.
• Supplements that may cause liver damage: Turmeric may harm the liver and should be used cautiously with supplements that also affect the liver. Supplements that may cause liver damage include kava, black cohosh, garcinia, and green tea extract.
• Supplements that may lower blood sugar: Turmeric may lower blood sugar and should be used with caution if taken with other blood sugar-lowering supplements. Examples include ashwagandha, milk thistle, elderflower, and garlic.

When To See a Healthcare Provider

Talk with your healthcare provider if you are interested in taking turmeric. They can help you determine if the supplement is safe for you and whether it will interact with your health conditions or medications.

If you are taking turmeric supplements and begin experiencing any drug interactions, immediately stop taking the supplement and contact a healthcare provider. Your provider can evaluate you, your history, and the symptoms you are experiencing to determine the cause.

A Quick Review

Turmeric is a common spice with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Turmeric and its active ingredient, curcumin, have been used to treat inflammatory conditions, including osteoarthritis (OA), seasonal allergies, and respiratory infections. Research also shows that turmeric may help improve health conditions such as depression, hyperlipidemia, and Alzheimer's disease.

Even though turmeric is considered a natural product, it may interact with certain medications and supplements. These interactions may affect how the other drugs work or how your body absorbs the medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are interested in taking turmeric to determine how it may interact with other medications you are taking.