10 Medications That Don’t Mix Well With Turmeric

Turmeric, widely acknowledged for its Curcumin content, offers notable antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Nevertheless, experts caution that when consumed in significant quantities, it may interact adversely with several common medications.

1. Aspirin

Aspirin acts to prevent heart attacks and strokes by reducing platelet clumping and blood clots, explained Maria Pino, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmacy at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. Since turmeric exhibits similar antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effects, combining the two could heighten the risk of both internal and external bleeding.

Other antiplatelet agents like clopidogrel and blood thinners such as warfarin and rivaroxaban similarly face an enhanced bleeding threat when paired with turmeric.

2. Insulin and Glipizide

These diabetes medications work to manage blood sugar levels. Turmeric has shown potential in regulating proteins involved in insulin release, which may precipitate a drop in blood sugar, warned Marissa Mauricio, PharmD, clinical pharmacy specialist at Baptist Health South Florida. This could potentially culminate in hypoglycemia, with symptoms ranging from dizziness and confusion to severe cases of unconsciousness.

3. Amlodipine

Used to address high blood pressure, amlodipine prevents calcium entry into blood vessels, resulting in their dilation. Studies indicate that combining amlodipine with turmeric could elevate drug absorption, potentially lowering blood pressure excessively and increasing the risk of dizziness and falls, particularly in elderly patients.

4. Tacrolimus

Tacrolimus, an immunosuppressant, is vital for preventing organ transplant rejection but can diminish kidney function. A case report cited deteriorating kidney function in a patient consuming high doses of turmeric, possibly due to the spice altering drug metabolism and elevating tacrolimus levels.

5. Chemotherapy Drugs

Designed to target cancer cells, chemotherapy compounds may have their effectiveness compromised by turmeric, although more studies are essential to confirm this. While turmeric itself exhibits anticancer properties, its interaction with chemotherapy agents remains unclear.

6. Tamoxifen

This breast cancer medication can have its efficacy reduced when combined with turmeric, as research suggests an increase in the drug’s liver metabolism. Further study is necessary to determine if this interaction is specific to certain patients.

7. Losartan

Used to lower blood pressure, losartan can accumulate in the body due to turmeric reducing its liver breakdown, thereby increasing dizziness and potential heart rate changes.

8. Levothyroxine

This thyroid hormone replacement should ideally be taken on an empty stomach, separate from turmeric or other supplements, to optimize absorption.

9. Antacids

Intended to aid digestion and alleviate ulcers, antacids could see their effectiveness diminished by turmeric’s potential to stimulate stomach acid production, thus possibly exacerbating conditions like acid reflux.

10. Methotrexate

Used against ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer, methotrexate’s adverse effects might be amplified if its breakdown is inhibited by turmeric or other substances, increasing infection risks.

Considerations

While cooking with turmeric is generally harmless regarding drug interactions, supplements pose a higher risk because they aren’t FDA-regulated. As Mauricio points out, turmeric form and dosing significantly influence the potential for interactions, with high-dose supplements—particularly those with Black Pepper Extract for enhanced absorption—being more problematic.