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Turmeric and Blood Thinners: Interaction Risks
Turmeric and blood thinners should be reviewed by a doctor or pharmacist before you combine them. The sources we use do not document a turmeric and warfarin interaction, but they do warn that supplements can interact with medicines. Synaptril's blend also holds CoQ10, which may counteract warfarin.
Written by the Synaptril label deskUpdated · 4 min read
The short answer01
Is it safe to take turmeric with blood thinners?
Ask your prescriber first. Turmeric and blood thinners have no firm answer in the sources we use, so a clinician should check your exact medicine.
NCCIH says people taking medicines should talk with a provider before using turmeric (NCCIH, Turmeric). The FDA gives a related example: vitamin K can reduce the effect of warfarin (NIH ODS, Supplements: What to know).
That is a gap, not a green light. Blood thinners need steady doses and regular testing, so small changes matter. Keep taking your prescribed blood thinner exactly as directed.
What is known02
What do we know about turmeric safety?
Turmeric is likely safe in usual amounts for 2 to 3 months, but it can upset the stomach and, rarely, harm the liver (NCCIH, Turmeric).
| Topic | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Common effects | Nausea, vomiting, reflux, diarrhea or constipation (NCCIH, Turmeric) |
| Liver injury | Most common herbal cause in the U.S., about 1 in 10,000 to 100,000 exposed (LiverTox, Turmeric) |
| When it appears | Usually 1 to 4 months after starting (LiverTox, Turmeric) |
| Pregnancy | May be unsafe (NCCIH, Turmeric) |
| Blood thinner interaction | Not stated in these sources |
Fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, dark urine or yellow skin or eyes. Stop the product and call a provider (NCCIH, Turmeric).
Absorption03
Does black pepper change turmeric's effect on medicines?
Piperine from black pepper raises curcumin absorption, and it affects liver enzymes that process some drugs (AARM, Piperine and curcumin).
In human volunteers, 20 mg of piperine raised curcumin blood levels by 2000 percent. The same dose may raise blood levels of drugs such as phenytoin, propranolol and theophylline (AARM, Piperine and curcumin). Warfarin is not named in that monograph.
The Synaptril label lists no piperine or black pepper. Its turmeric is "95% curcuminoids". That makes it a concentrated extract, but we cannot say how well it absorbs.
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See packsIn Synaptril04
What does Synaptril contain that matters for blood thinners?
Two blend ingredients matter: turmeric extract, fifth in the blend, and coenzyme Q10, sixth.
By blend order, turmeric holds at most 115 mg and CoQ10 at most 96 mg per capsule. In a generous case, with the magnesium glycinate at 400 mg, turmeric gets at most 44 mg and CoQ10 at most 35 mg. The 20% figure is our assumption.
CoQ10 is structurally similar to vitamin K and may counteract warfarin (MSKCC, Coenzyme Q10). NCCIH also says it may interact with warfarin and insulin (NCCIH, Coenzyme Q10). For anyone on warfarin, that is the more clearly flagged risk.
The label says to consult a physician if you take a medication. Also tell your surgeon about every supplement well before an operation (NCCIH, Using supplements wisely). Details on the turmeric page and in supplements and medicines.
FAQ05
Turmeric and blood thinner questions
Does turmeric thin the blood?
Our sources do not say it does. NCCIH finds not enough evidence of benefit and advises talking to a provider if you take medicines (NCCIH, Turmeric). Do not treat turmeric as a safe stand-in or add-on for a blood thinner.
Should I stop turmeric before surgery?
Tell your surgical team about it well before the date, as FDA and NCCIH advise (NIH ODS, Supplements: What to know) (NCCIH, Using supplements wisely). They decide whether to pause it. Do not stop any prescribed medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Is the CoQ10 in Synaptril a problem with warfarin?
It can be. CoQ10 may counteract warfarin (MSKCC, Coenzyme Q10) and may interact with it (NCCIH, Coenzyme Q10). If you take warfarin, ask your doctor and pharmacist before using Synaptril. Keep taking warfarin as prescribed.
Does Synaptril contain black pepper extract?
No black pepper or piperine is listed on the Supplement Facts or Other Ingredients. The turmeric is a 95% curcuminoid extract. Because the amount is hidden, we cannot estimate how much curcumin is absorbed.
Can turmeric affect the liver?
Rarely, yes. LiverTox calls turmeric the most common herbal cause of liver injury in the U.S., at roughly 1 in 10,000 to 100,000 people exposed (LiverTox, Turmeric). Most cases clear within 1 to 3 months of stopping.
What should I bring to a pharmacist about turmeric?
Bring the bottle or a photo of the Supplement Facts, plus a list of your medicines. Ask about blood thinners, diabetes drugs and anything for the liver. A pharmacist can check for clashes in minutes.
Who wrote this06
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . See our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by Getsynaptril, a stocked U.S. Synaptril counter, not by the manufacturer or the distributor. We are paid when you buy through our order links.
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