Drug & supplement interaction

Bitter Almond + Ivermectin

Ivermectin brand names: Stromectol, Mectizan, Sklice, Soolantra.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 13, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Bitter Almond and Ivermectin in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the label for Ivermectin states a food rule worth keeping to.

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Interaction report

Bitter Almond and Ivermectin

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Ivermectin and Bitter Almond in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Bitter Almond safety at a glance

Bitter Almond overall Avoid Bitter almond can release cyanide in the body and is considered unsafe to consume.
Pregnancy Avoid It may be poisonous and could harm the pregnancy; do not use.
Breastfeeding Likely Unsafe When used orally. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of bitter almond when used topically. Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Ivermectin and Bitter Almond? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Ivermectin

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Ivermectin is filed under 4 classifications — including topical drugs, p-glycoprotein substrates, oral drugs. Bitter Almond has documented interactions with 1 drug class — the most serious being cns depressants (moderate) — and none of Ivermectin’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Bitter Almond Does Interact With Other Medications

Bitter Almond has 248 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Ivermectin isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 248 No known interaction 2,582 (incl. Ivermectin)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Bitter Almond

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

What to actually watch for

What Bitter Almond Itself Has Been Linked To

This is not an interaction — nothing below involves Ivermectin. It is the side-effect record for Bitter Almond on its own, from the licensed Natural Medicines monograph. If something new turns up after you add Bitter Almond, this list is the first place to look. 2 entries are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • A severe allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Orally, bitter almond and its oil can be toxic due to its amygdalin content.

    Most Common Adverse Effects:

    Oral: Central nervous system depression with respiratory failure.

    Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):

    All routes of administration: Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.”

    Bitter Almond · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in depression.

  • An allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Tree nuts, which includes bitter almond, can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Due to the prevalence of this allergy in the general population, tree nuts are classified as a major food allergen in the United States.”

    Bitter Almond · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

    1 source cited
    1. 105410. Food and Drug Administration. Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA); Public Law 108-282, Title II. Accessed on May 19, 2021. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-allergensgluten-free-guidance-documents-regulatory-infor

Everything above comes from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record for Bitter Almond — expand a row for the licensed statement it rests on. We read the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of Ivermectin’s FDA label too, and the two lists don’t meaningfully overlap — which is why no Ivermectin column appears here.

Special populations

Bitter Almond in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Lactation Likely Unsafe

When used orally. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of bitter almond when used topically.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

How to take them

Some Ivermectin Products Have a Food Rule — Bitter Almond Should Not Break It

At least one FDA label for a product containing Ivermectin says to take it on an empty stomach. Most supplements — Bitter Almond included — are taken with a meal, so the easy mistake is swallowing both together at breakfast. Where that rule applies, keep Ivermectin on its own and move Bitter Almond to a meal later in the day.

This may not be true of your version. Food instructions belong to the product, not the ingredient: two Ivermectin products can carry different directions, and extended-release forms often differ from immediate-release ones. The label we read is quoted below — check the directions on your own box or bottle, or ask your pharmacist, for how to take the exact product you were given.

Patients should take tablets on an empty stomach with water.

From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Ivermectin — where that label names a specific product, the instruction is that product's. See the Ivermectin drug page ›

A food rule is not an interaction — it is about how much of the medicine you absorb. The directions that came with your own product, and your pharmacist, outrank anything on this page.

From our Q&A

Questions About Bitter Almond or Ivermectin

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Bitter Almond or Ivermectin, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Ivermectin

This page covers Bitter Almond only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Ivermectin page lists 58 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), St. John's Wort (major), Sweet Orange (major), Bitter Melon (moderate) and Black Pepper (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 37 moderate · 18 minor.

Open the Ivermectin interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 2 real supplement products containing Bitter Almond, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Bitter Almond. Even though Bitter Almond itself has no known interaction with Ivermectin, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Bitter Almond and Ivermectin 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 Bitter Almond
Top half

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

29 days ago today
Medication Ivermectin
Top 1%

#12 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.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Bitter Almond reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Bitter Almond and Ivermectin records this page draws on were last updated July 11, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Bitter Almond

What is Bitter Almond?

Bitter Almond
  • Cough suppressant
  • Muscle spasms (antispasmodic)
  • Itching and skin conditions
  • Flavoring agent
  • Sedative or 'narcotic' effects

Bitter almond is a variety of almond that contains amygdalin, a compound the body converts into cyanide, making it potentially poisonous. Because of this serious toxicity risk, bitter almond should not be eaten or used internally, and there is no reliable proof it treats any health condition. If you want almond's nutrition, choose ordinary sweet almonds instead.

Prunus dulcis var. amara · Rosaceae · Seeds (kernels) and the essential oil pressed from them · Essential oil, distilled water, flavoring extract

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Bitter Almond is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Bitter Almond record says about it on its own.

Bitter Almond: dosing

There is no safe, established dose of bitter almond or untreated bitter almond oil for taking by mouth, because of the cyanide poisoning risk.If you have a product that lists bitter almond as a flavoring, it should be cyanide-free and used only as directed on the label. Never try to dose raw bitter almonds or untreated oil yourself.

From our Bitter Almond monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Bitter Almond monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Ivermectin

What Is Ivermectin Used For?

Brand names: Stromectol, Mectizan, Sklice, Soolantra

Ivermectin tablets (including Stromectol) are used to treat two parasitic infections: strongyloidiasis (a roundworm infection of the intestinal tract) and onchocerciasis (river blindness, caused by a parasitic worm spread by blackfly bites). These are prescription uses for serious infections.

Topical ivermectin lotion — sold under several names including RID One and Done, Head Lice Treatment Ivermectin Lotion, Scalp Care Lotions, and others — is applied to the scalp to treat head lice. A separate topical ivermectin cream (1%), available as Soolantra and ivermectin cream 1%, is used to treat the inflammatory pimple-like bumps of rosacea.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Ivermectin

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (6,298 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Headache 647 reports
Asthenia 590 reports
Fever 485 reports
Pruritus 388 reports
Diarrhea 292 reports
See full Ivermectin drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Bitter Almond

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

0Major
248Moderate
0Minor
2,581No known interaction
248 Moderate 2,581 No interaction
Moderate

248 interactions

Showing 60 of 248 moderate interactions — see all 248 on the Bitter Almond page.

No interaction 2,581 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,581 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Bitter Almond list.

See the full Bitter Almond interactions page
See every supplement checked against Ivermectin, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Bitter Almond References

The 3 references that drive our Bitter Almond monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  2. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  3. Food and Drug Administration. Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA); Public Law 108-282, Title II. Accessed on May 19, 2021. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-allergensgluten-free-guidance-documents-regulatory-infor

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Bitter Almond and Ivermectin Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Bitter Almond with Ivermectin?
We do not list a known interaction between Bitter Almond and Ivermectin. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Should I take Bitter Almond and Ivermectin at the same time of day?
At least one FDA label for a product containing Ivermectin says to take it on an empty stomach, and supplements are usually taken with a meal — so taking them together at breakfast is the easy mistake. Where that applies, keep Ivermectin on its own and move Bitter Almond to a meal later in the day. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient, so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.
How was the Bitter Almond and Ivermectin combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Ivermectin is filed under 4 classifications, and Bitter Almond has documented interactions with 1 drug class — none of Ivermectin's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.
Does Bitter Almond interact with any other medications?
Yes. Bitter Almond has 248 documented drug interactions in our database — Ivermectin is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.
Does Ivermectin interact with any supplements?
Yes. Ivermectin has documented interactions with 58 supplements in our database — Bitter Almond is not one of them. The Ivermectin interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

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

Where next

Keep Exploring

Bitter Almond monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Ivermectin drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Ivermectin supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Ivermectin, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z Every drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements References The 3 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Ivermectin and Bitter Almond?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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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.