Drug & supplement interaction

California Poppy + Misoprostol

Misoprostol brand name: Cytotec.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between California Poppy and Misoprostol 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 Misoprostol states a food rule worth keeping to, and the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

California Poppy and Misoprostol

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 Misoprostol and California Poppy 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.

California Poppy safety at a glance

California Poppy overall Use caution Generally considered mild for short-term use, but human safety data are limited.
Pregnancy Avoid Not enough safety data; best avoided during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Avoid Not enough safety data; best avoided while breastfeeding.

Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Misoprostol and California Poppy? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Misoprostol

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Misoprostol is filed under a single classification — oral drugs. California Poppy has documented interactions with 1 drug class — the most serious being cns depressants (moderate) — and none of Misoprostol’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

California Poppy Does Interact With Other Medications

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

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against California Poppy

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

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests California Poppy and Misoprostol May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do.

  • Tiredness reported in 4.9% of FDA reports for Misoprostol Additional detail

    California Poppy

    “Orally, when used in combination with hawthorn and magnesium, California poppy has been reported to cause morning fatigue. It is not clear if this effect is from California poppy, the other ingredients, or the combination.”

    California Poppy · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in fatigue.

    1 source cited
    1. 12583. Hanus M, Lafon J, Mathieu M. Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed combination containing two plant extracts (Crataegus oxyacantha and Eschscholtzia californica) and magnesium in mild-to-moderate

    Misoprostol

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Misoprostol, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Nausea reported in 6.3% of FDA reports for Misoprostol Additional detail

    California Poppy

    “Orally, when used in combination with hawthorn and magnesium, California poppy has been reported to cause nausea. It is not clear if this effect is from California poppy, the other ingredients, or the combination.”

    California Poppy · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in nausea and vomiting.

    1 source cited
    1. 12583. Hanus M, Lafon J, Mathieu M. Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed combination containing two plant extracts (Crataegus oxyacantha and Eschscholtzia californica) and magnesium in mild-to-moderate

    Misoprostol

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Misoprostol, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for California Poppy but not commonly for Misoprostol: joint or muscle stiffness.

Effects for Misoprostol come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for California Poppy come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 16,478 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Misoprostol that mention that effect — a reporting proportion, not an incidence rate and not evidence the drug caused it. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

How to take them

Some Misoprostol Products Have a Food Rule — California Poppy Should Not Break It

At least one FDA label for a product containing Misoprostol says to take it with food. If you take California Poppy on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate — and take Misoprostol with a meal where the label says to.

This may not be true of your version. Food instructions belong to the product, not the ingredient: two Misoprostol 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.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended adult oral dose of Cytotec for reducing the risk of NSAID-induced gastric ulcers is 200 mcg four times daily with food.

From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Misoprostol — where that label names a specific product, the instruction is that product's. Read the label on DailyMed ›

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.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Misoprostol

This page covers California Poppy only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Misoprostol page lists 17 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Coffee Charcoal (moderate), European Mandrake (moderate), Glucomannan (moderate) and Guar Gum (moderate).

By severity: 1 major · 7 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Misoprostol page

“Misoprostol (Cytotec) is taken by mouth to protect the stomach lining from ulcers caused by NSAID pain relievers, and all 17 of its recorded supplement interactions come down to the same problem, something in the gut keeping the pill from being absorbed properly. That deserves genuine wariness, because misoprostol that never reaches th…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Misoprostol interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 345 real supplement products containing California Poppy, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides California Poppy. Even though California Poppy itself has no known interaction with Misoprostol, 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 California Poppy and Misoprostol 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 California Poppy
Top half

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

29 days ago today
Medication Misoprostol
Top half

#1,082 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 California Poppy reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The California Poppy and Misoprostol records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 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 California Poppy

What is California Poppy?

California Poppy
  • Anxiety and stress
  • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • Mild aches and pains
  • Restlessness or nervous tension
  • Bedwetting in children (traditional use)

California poppy is a traditional herbal remedy used mainly for anxiety and sleep problems, often combined with other calming herbs. Human research is very limited, so its true benefits are not well proven. It is generally considered mild, but should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding and used with caution by anyone taking sedating medicines.

Eschscholzia californica · Papaveraceae · Above-ground parts (flowers, leaves, stems) and roots · Tea, tincture, liquid extract, capsules, dried herb

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

California Poppy: dosing

There is no official, standardized dose for California poppy. Products vary widely in strength, and it is often part of herbal blends. The best approach is to follow the directions on the product label and not exceed the recommended amount.It is commonly taken in the evening when used for sleep, but timing and amount should be guided by the product and your own response.

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

Read the full California Poppy monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Misoprostol

What Is Misoprostol Used For?

Brand name: Cytotec

Cytotec (misoprostol) tablets and misoprostol tablets are approved to reduce the risk of gastric ulcers (stomach ulcers) in patients who take NSAIDs — nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or diclofenac — and who are at high risk of ulcer complications. High-risk patients include older adults, people with serious ongoing illnesses, and those with a history of stomach ulcers.

It is important to note that misoprostol has not been shown to reduce the risk of duodenal ulcers (ulcers in the first part of the small intestine) in people taking NSAIDs. It also does not relieve the stomach pain or discomfort that NSAIDs can cause.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Misoprostol

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (16,478 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Hemorrhage 1,322 reports
Abortion incomplete 1,159 reports
Nausea 1,031 reports
Arthralgia 977 reports
Rheumatoid arthritis 805 reports
See full Misoprostol drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & California Poppy

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against California Poppy — 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
Moderate

248 interactions

Showing 60 of 248 moderate interactions — see all 248 on the California Poppy page.

No interaction 2,581 drugs checked — show the list
Evidence & sources

California Poppy References

The 3 references that drive our California Poppy 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. Hanus M, Lafon J, Mathieu M. Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed combination containing two plant extracts (Crataegus oxyacantha and Eschscholtzia californica) and magnesium in mild-to-moderate
  2. Paul LD, Springer D, Staack RF, et al. Cytochrome P450 isoenzymes involved in rat liver microsomal metabolism of californine and protopine. Eur J Pharmacol 2004;485:69-79. PubMed
  3. Paul LD, Maurer HH. Studies on the metabolism and toxicological detection of the Eschscholtzia californica alkaloids californine and protopine in urine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2003;789:43-5

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 California Poppy and Misoprostol Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take California Poppy with Misoprostol?
We do not list a known interaction between California Poppy and Misoprostol. 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.
Do California Poppy and Misoprostol have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 2 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
Should I take California Poppy and Misoprostol at the same time of day?
At least one FDA label for a product containing Misoprostol says to take it with food. If you take California Poppy on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate and take Misoprostol with a meal where the label says to. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient — two Misoprostol products can differ — so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.
How was the California Poppy and Misoprostol combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Misoprostol is filed under 1 classification, and California Poppy has documented interactions with 1 drug class — none of Misoprostol'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 California Poppy interact with any other medications?
Yes. California Poppy has 248 documented drug interactions in our database — Misoprostol 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 Misoprostol interact with any supplements?
Yes. Misoprostol has documented interactions with 17 supplements in our database — California Poppy is not one of them. The Misoprostol interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

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

Still Have a Question About Misoprostol and California Poppy?

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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.