Ancrod and Capsaicin Transdermal Patch: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Capsaicin Transdermal Patch
Ancrod
No brand names on record
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Increased risk of bleeding
Interaction Deep Dive
Theoretically, concurrent use of capsaicin with antiplatelet agents may increase the risk of bleeding. Thais, who regularly consume capsicum, had a lower fibrinogen level than Americans1. Capsicum increased fibrinolytic activity in Thais 5. Platelet aggregation was inhibited in rat platelets treated with capsaicin 2. The clinical significance of capsaicin's effect on platelet aggregation and fibrinolytic activity is unknown. Until the potential interaction is better understood, caution is advised if capsaicin is taken with antiplatelet agents 34.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Capsaicin may inhibit platelet aggregation and enhance fibrinolytic activity
Literature reports
2 reports — tap to read
a) Daily capsicum ingestion has been associated with diminished fibrinolytic activity in Thais. An experimental group of Thai medical students (n equal to 16) were given two teaspoons of ground fresh capsicum (Capsicum frutescens) with 200 grams of noodles and compared with subjects who ingested the same amount of noodles without capsicum (n equal to 4). Fibrinolytic activity as measured by euglobulin lysis time (ELT) was significantly shortened (p equal to 0.005) immediately after the meal but the effect lasted for less than 30 minutes in the 16 subjects who ingested capsicum. Fibrinogen levels did not change significantly 5.
b) Euglobulin lysis time (ELT) in 88 Thai subjects (mean +/- SD equal to 167 +/- 66.84 minutes) was significantly lower than in 55 American Caucasians (mean +/- SD equal to 254 +/- 126.70 minutes) (p less than 0.001). Fibrinogen levels were 250.7 +/- 84.27 mg/100 mL in Thais who regularly consume capsicum with meals, versus 292.3 +/- 88.28 mg/100mL for Americans (p less than 0.01) 1.
Common questions
Can I take Ancrod and Capsaicin Transdermal Patch together?
Increased risk of bleeding Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Ancrod and Capsaicin Transdermal Patch interaction?
It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Ancrod or Capsaicin Transdermal Patch need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?
References (5)
- Visudhiphan S, Poolsuppasit S, Piboonnukarintr O, et al: The relationship between high fibrinolytic activity and daily capsicum ingestion in Thais. Am J Clin Nutrition 1982; 35:1452-1458. PubMed
- Wang JP, Hsu MF, & Teng CM: Antiplatelet effect of capsaicin. Thromb Res 1984; 36:497-507. DOI
- Norred CL & Brinker F: Potential coagulation effects of preoperative complementary and alternative medicines. Alt Ther 2001; 7(6):58-67.
- Heck AM, DeWitt BA, & Lukes AL: Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2000; 57(13):1221-1227. DOI
- Wasantapruek S, Poolsuppasit S, & Piolnukarintr O: Enhanced fibrinolytic activity after capsicum ingestion (letter). N Engl J Med 1974; 290(22):1259-1260. DOI
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