Everolimus and Turmeric: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Everolimus
Turmeric
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
Decreased everolimus exposure
Interaction Deep Dive
Curcumin is a component of the food spice turmeric1. Concomitant use of everolimus (a CYP3A4 substrate) and curcumin or supplements containing curcumin (a CYP3A4 inducer) may decrease everolimus exposure. In 2 case reports, everolimus trough levels were decreased during coadministration, while discontinuation of curcumin resulted in a rebound of everolimus trough levels. The Horn Drug Interaction Probability Scale rated this interaction as probable 2. Consider discontinuation of curcumin during everolimus treatment.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Induction of CYP3A4-mediated everolimus metabolism by turmeric/curcumin
Literature reports
2 reports — tap to read
a) A 63-year-old woman with grade 2, estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative invasive ductal breast cancer and synchronous bone metastases receiving everolimus 10 mg/day concomitantly with a dietary supplement containing curcumin 12 mg/piperine 300 mcg had a subtherapeutic everolimus trough level (Cmin) of 5.6 nanograms/milliliter (ng/mL) at a 2-week assessment (target greater than 10 ng/mL). Curcumin was discontinued, which resulted in a rise in everolimus Cmin to 14.2 ng/mL and onset of Grade 2 stomatitis. The patient self-reinitiated curcumin, which again caused everolimus Cmin to fall to 7.1 ng/mL. Curcumin was again discontinued and 2 weeks later everolimus Cmin was increased to 15.1 ng/mL with recurrence of Grade 1 stomatitis. Curcumin was permanently discontinued and everolimus Cmin remained above the 10 ng/mL target. The Horn Drug Interaction Probability Scale rated this interaction as probable 2.
b) A 55-year-old woman with advanced retroperitoneal PEComa with liver metastases receiving everolimus 10 mg/day concomitantly with a dietary supplement containing curcumin 400 mg had subtherapeutic everolimus trough level (Cmin) of 6.6 nanograms/milliliter (ng/mL). Discontinuation of curcumin resulted in an increase in the everolimus Cmin to 22.1 ng/mL 2 weeks later. The Horn Drug Interaction Probability Scale rated this interaction as probable 2
Common questions
Can I take Everolimus and Turmeric together?
Decreased everolimus exposure Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Everolimus and Turmeric interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close 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 "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Everolimus or Turmeric 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 a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (2)
Keep reading about Everolimus
Keep reading about Turmeric
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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