Nifedipine and Dong Quai: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Nifedipine
Dong Quai
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
Low blood pressure
Interaction Deep Dive
Dong quai (Angelica dahurica) extract significantly inhibited the metabolism of NIFEdipine in vitro1. The effect of dong quai on the metabolism of NIFEdipine in humans is unknown, as the dose used in the animal study (1 gram/kilogram) is higher than that usually used in humans. Theoretically, if dong quai similarly affects the pharmacokinetics of NIFEdipine in humans, increased levels of NIFEdipine may occur which may result in greater hypotensive effect. It is suspected that dong quai may affect other drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A enzymes. Caution is advised.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme metabolism of NIFEdipine
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) Angelica dahurica (dong quai) extract 1 gram/kilogram orally, significantly inhibited NIFEdipine oxidase activity in rat liver microsomes. NIFEdipine oxidase activity was significantly inhibited from 3 to 6 hours when incubated with dong quai extract (p less than 0.01), with 61.4 percent to 71.4 percent of its activity remaining. These results show that dong quai inhibited cytochrome P450 3A enzymes which metabolize NIFEdipine 1.
Common questions
Can I take Nifedipine and Dong Quai together?
Low blood pressure Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Nifedipine and Dong Quai interaction?
It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "rapid". Effects can appear quickly, often within about 24 hours of combining the drugs.
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 Nifedipine or Dong Quai 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 (1)
- Ishihara K, Kushida J, Yuzurihara M, et al: Interaction of drugs and Chinese herbs: pharmacokinetic changes of tolbutamide and diazepam caused by extract of Angelica dahurica. J Pharm Pharmacol 2000; 52(8):1023-1029.
Keep reading about Nifedipine
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