Drug & supplement interaction

Bael + Caffeine (prescription drug)

Caffeine (prescription drug) brand names: Dextrophin, Caffeine.

Minor Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Minor

Caffeine (prescription drug) falls into 2 drug categories that Bael can interact with; the most serious is rated minor. Bael extract and its constituent marmesinin inhibited cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) activity in vitro.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityMinor
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Bael and Caffeine (prescription drug)

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Bael interacts with whole categories of medication. Caffeine (prescription drug) falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Bael in 2 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Minor).

Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES

1 of 2

Why this applies to Caffeine (prescription drug)

Caffeine (prescription drug) falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES — the group Bael interacts with.

Bael extract and its constituent marmesinin inhibited cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) activity in vitro. So far, this interaction has not been reported in humans. Theoretically, bael might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
Some drugs metabolized by CYP1A2 include amitriptyline (Elavil), haloperidol (Haldol), ondansetron (Zofran), propranolol (Inderal), theophylline (Theo-Dur, others), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, others), and others. Use bael cautiously or avoid in patients taking these drugs.
Severity Minor Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist: your body relies on a liver enzyme called CYP1A2 to clear caffeine out of your system. In lab tests (not in people yet), bael and one of its compounds, marmesinin, seemed to slow that enzyme down. If that held true in real life, caffeine could hang around longer and feel stronger than usual.

What might that look like? Think jitteriness, a racing or pounding heart, trouble sleeping, or feeling on edge, basically caffeine's normal effects turned up a notch. The good news is this is only a theoretical, lab-based concern with a minor rating, so it's nothing to panic over. Still, if you take prescription caffeine and want to try bael, it's worth a quick word with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Manda VK, Avula B, Chittiboyina AG, Khan IA, Walker LA, Khan SI. Inhibition of CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 by Aegle marmelos and its constituents. Xenobiotica. 2016;46(2):117-25.
Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

2 of 2

Caffeine (prescription drug) also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.

Bael and its constituents marmelosin and marmesinin inhibited cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) activity in vitro. So far, this interaction has not been reported in humans. Theoretically, bael might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Some drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and numerous others. Use bael cautiously or avoid in patients taking these drugs.
Severity Minor Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the honest picture with bael and caffeine. The concern on file is that bael may slow down a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. Caffeine isn't a prodrug, so if its breakdown were slowed, it could linger a bit longer in your body, possibly meaning more of the usual caffeine effects like jitteriness, a racing or pounding heartbeat, trouble sleeping, or feeling wired.

But keep this in perspective. Caffeine is mostly cleared by a different enzyme (CYP1A2), not CYP3A4, so this interaction may matter very little for caffeine specifically. On top of that, the only evidence here comes from lab (test tube) studies, with nothing reported in real people. Eating bael as a food is unlikely to be an issue. If you take concentrated bael supplements regularly, just mention it to your pharmacist or doctor.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Manda VK, Avula B, Chittiboyina AG, Khan IA, Walker LA, Khan SI. Inhibition of CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 by Aegle marmelos and its constituents. Xenobiotica. 2016;46(2):117-25.

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Bael Also Interacts With Other Medications

Bael has 111 moderate, 707 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Caffeine (prescription drug) one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 111 Minor 707 No known interaction 2,012 (incl. Caffeine (prescription drug))
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Bael

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Bael. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Caffeine (prescription drug)

This page covers Bael only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Caffeine (prescription drug) page lists 208 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Ephedra (major), Grapefruit (major), Peyote (major) and Rauvolfia Vomitoria (major).

By severity: 7 major · 155 moderate · 46 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Caffeine (prescription drug) page

“Prescription caffeine is itself a stimulant, which is exactly why this list calls for genuine care rather than a quick skim. Seven of the 208 ingredients on file are rated major, and those deserve attention first.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Caffeine (prescription drug) interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Bael as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 94 real supplement products containing Bael, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Bael. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Caffeine (prescription drug) too, on top of Bael — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Bael and Caffeine (prescription drug) Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Bael
Top half

#556 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Caffeine (prescription drug)
Top 10%

#219 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Bael

What is Bael?

Bael
  • Diarrhea and dysentery
  • Indigestion and other digestive complaints
  • Constipation
  • Blood sugar support
  • General wellness in traditional medicine

Bael is a fruit-bearing tree long used in traditional Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine, mostly for digestive problems like diarrhea and indigestion. Modern human evidence for its medicinal benefits is very limited, so it should be viewed mainly as a food and traditional remedy rather than a proven treatment. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using bael as a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a health condition.

Read the full Bael monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Caffeine

What Is Caffeine Used For?

Brand names: Dextrophin, Caffeine

Caffeine citrate injection and oral solution are used for the short-term treatment of apnea of prematurity. This means pauses in breathing in premature infants. The label lists the age range as infants between 28 weeks and a later gestational age, and that range is cut off in the text provided.

Over-the-counter caffeine tablets, such as Diurex and the Stay Awake products, are taken by mouth by adults and older children. Their labels point to fatigue and drowsiness. Diurex directions also mention taking it while symptoms persist.

See full Caffeine drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Bael

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Bael — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
111Moderate
707Minor
2,011No known interaction
111 Moderate 707 Minor 2,011 No interaction
Moderate

111 interactions

Showing 60 of 111 moderate interactions — see all 111 on the Bael page.

Minor

707 interactions

Showing 60 of 707 minor interactions — see all 707 on the Bael page.

No interaction 2,011 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Bael against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,011 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Bael list.

See the full Bael interactions page
See every supplement checked against Caffeine (prescription drug), ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Bael monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Caffeine (prescription drug) supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Caffeine (prescription drug), ranked by severity Caffeine drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Bael and Caffeine (prescription drug) Together: Common Questions

Can you take Bael with Caffeine (prescription drug)?
There is only a minor interaction, which is usually not serious. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 2 interactions listed for Bael and Caffeine (prescription drug)?
Caffeine (prescription drug) belongs to more than one drug category, and Bael interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Bael and Caffeine (prescription drug) interaction?
We rate it Minor. This interaction is generally not clinically significant, but it remains worth noting and discussing with your pharmacist.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Caffeine (prescription drug) and Bael?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.