6 Medications Not To Mix With Ashwagandha

It is important not to mix ashwagandha with certain medications. Always talk to a doctor before starting new supplements to avoid side effects.

Ashwagandha may cause drowsiness, falling asleep, and slow breathing. It is best to avoid taking it with other medications with similar effects.

Sedatives can relieve anxiety and help you sleep. Common sedatives include:

• Benzodiazepines such as Valium (diazepam) and Klonopin (clonazepam)
• Kava
• L-tryptophan
• Melatonin
• Opioid medications like Roxicodone or Xtampza ER (oxycodone)
• Sleeping pills like Ambien (zolpidem)

Taking ashwagandha with sedatives or other sleeping pills may cause excessive drowsiness, drowsiness, or difficulty breathing.

Ashwagandha may increase the amount of thyroid hormones your body produces naturally. These hormones include triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).

Symptoms of high thyroid hormones include:

• Diarrhea
• Fast, irregular heartbeat
• Mood swings
• Nervousness
• Difficulty sleeping

Thyroid medications increase certain levels of thyroid hormones. Examples include:

• Thyroid Armor (dried out thyroid)
• Cytomel (liothyronine)
• Synthroid, Tirosint and Unithroid (levothyroxine)

Ashwagandha increases the risk of side effects from these medications. You may experience hair loss, joint pain, nervousness, sweating, and weight gain or loss.

Ashwagandha can lower blood sugar levels. Taking it with medications that treat diabetes may cause hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar levels).

Examples of diabetes medications include:

• Insulin
• Glucotrol (glipizide)
• Glumetza (metformin)
• Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide)

Signs of hypoglycemia include:

• Confusion
• Feeling weak
• Hunger
• Increased heart rate
• Faint
• Seizures
• Sweating

Hypoglycemia is considered an emergency. You can often treat it by drinking or eating foods that raise blood sugar.

Ashwagandha may affect the activity of the immune system. This can cause side effects in people with immune system disorders.

Immunosuppressants prevent the immune system from functioning normally. They help treat autoimmune diseases, certain cancers and organ transplants.

Examples of immunosuppressants include:

• Corticosteroids like Rayos (prednisone)
• Organ transplant medications like Prograf (tacrolimus)
• Certain chemotherapies

Taking ashwagandha with immunosuppressants may affect the effectiveness of the medication.

Ashwagandha may lower your blood pressure. Taking it with blood pressure medications may cause hypotension (dangerously low blood pressure).

Low blood pressure can decrease blood flow to vital organs, such as the heart and brain. This can lead to confusion, fainting, dizziness and weakness.

Medications and supplements that lower blood pressure include:

• Arginine
• Cozaar (losartan)
• Lasix (furosemide)
• Niacin
• Norvasc (amlodipine)
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Tenormin (atenolol)

Monitor your blood pressure closely if you take ashwagandha with a blood pressure-lowering medication.

Ashwagandha may be hepatotoxic (harmful to the liver). This can cause side effects such as:

• Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Liver failure
• Need for liver transplantation

Taking ashwagandha with other hepatotoxic medications or supplements may increase your risk of liver damage. Examples include:

• Black cohosh
• Dilantin (phenytoin)
• Garcinia
• Green tea extract
• Indocin (indomethacin)
• Kava
• Rifadin (rifampin)

A doctor will need to closely monitor your liver health if you take ashwagandha with any of these medications or supplements.

Ashwagandha is probably safe for most adults. However, it can be dangerous for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Some evidence suggests that ashwagandha can cause miscarriage.

Ashwagandha also increases testosterone levels. This can be dangerous for people with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

Experts advise against ashwagandha if you have upcoming surgery.

If you take ashwagandha, tell a doctor. They will help you determine if it is safe with other medications and supplements.

See a doctor if you have signs or symptoms of:

• Drowsiness
• High levels of thyroid hormones
• Liver injury
• Low blood pressure
• Low blood sugar

If left untreated, any of these conditions can lead to serious complications.