Ashwagandha

What it is

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb used in Ayurvedic medicine, taken today mostly for stress and general wellbeing, though NCCIH notes there is not enough reliable evidence to draw firm conclusions for most of its purported uses. It may be reasonably safe for short-term use (up to 3 months), but long-term safety data is lacking. It can cause drowsiness, stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting, and rare cases have linked it to liver injury. NCCIH advises it should be avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding, before surgery, and in people with autoimmune or thyroid disorders, and states there is evidence it might interact with medications for diabetes and high blood pressure, immunosuppressants, sedatives, anticonvulsants, and thyroid hormone medications.

Known interaction categories

• Insufficient evidence
• Monitor
• Use caution

Published interaction pages on this site

• Ashwagandha and MelatoninInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and PotassiumInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and TurmericInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and Vitamin DInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and ProbioticsInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and St. John's WortInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and Vitamin B12Insufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and Vitamin KInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and LisinoprilMonitor
• Ashwagandha and AtorvastatinInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and SpironolactoneMonitor
• Ashwagandha and CaffeineInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and CalciumInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and CiprofloxacinInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and CopperInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10)Insufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and CreatineInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and LevothyroxineMonitor
• Ashwagandha and IronInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and SertralineInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and MetforminMonitor
• Ashwagandha and DoxycyclineInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and MagnesiumInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and OmeprazoleInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and WarfarinInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and ZincInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and AspirinInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and Vitamin CInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and Omega-3 / Fish OilInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and Folate / Folic AcidInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and Vitamin EInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and LosartanMonitor
• Ashwagandha and IbuprofenInsufficient evidence
• Ashwagandha and AmlodipineMonitor
• Ashwagandha and EscitalopramUse caution

Related guides

• Ashwagandha and Your Medications

Sources