Drug & supplement interaction

Calotropis + Hydroxychloroquine

Hydroxychloroquine brand name: Plaquenil.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 20, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Calotropis and Hydroxychloroquine 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 Hydroxychloroquine 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

Calotropis and Hydroxychloroquine

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 Hydroxychloroquine and Calotropis 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.

Calotropis safety at a glance

Calotropis overall Avoid The plant contains toxic cardiac glycosides and an irritant latex that can cause serious harm if swallowed or rubbed in the eyes.
Pregnancy Likely Unsafe When used orally; avoid using. Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Likely Unsafe When used orally; avoid using. 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 Hydroxychloroquine and Calotropis? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Hydroxychloroquine

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Hydroxychloroquine is filed under 3 classifications — cytochrome p450 2d6 (cyp2d6) inhibitors, qt interval-prolonging drugs, oral drugs. Calotropis has documented interactions with 4 drug classes — the most serious being digoxin (lanoxin) (moderate), diuretic drugs (moderate) and lithium (moderate) — and none of Hydroxychloroquine’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

Calotropis Does Interact With Other Medications

Calotropis has 98 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Hydroxychloroquine isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 98 No known interaction 2,732 (incl. Hydroxychloroquine)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Calotropis

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

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Calotropis and Hydroxychloroquine 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. One of them is worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Seizures Worth acting on Additional detail

    Calotropis

    “There is limited reliable information available about the safety of calotropis when taken as a medicine. Orally, high doses of calotropis have been reported to cause vomiting, diarrhea, bradycardia, convulsions, and death (18). Topical exposure to calotropis has been reported to cause contact allergies and corneal endothelial cell injury leading to edema and vision loss.”

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

    6 sources cited
    1. 18. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
    2. 95217. Handa F, Sadana JK, Sharma PK. Allergic contact dermatitis due to the plant Calotropis procera (Vern: AK). A case report. Indian J Dermatol. 1984 Jul;29(3):27-9.
    3. 95213. Al-Mezaine HS, Al-Rajhi AA, Al-Assiri A, Wagoner MD. Calotropis procera (ushaar) keratitis. Am J Ophthalmol. 2005 Jan;139(1):199-202. PubMed
    4. 95214. Al-Mezaine HS, Al-Amry MA, Al-Assiri A, et al. Corneal endothelial cytotoxicity of the Calotropis procera (ushaar) plant. Cornea. 2008 May;27(4):504-6. PubMed
    5. 95215. Basak SK, Bhaumik A, Mohanta A, Singhal P. Ocular toxicity by latex of Calotropis procera (Sodom apple). Indian J Ophthalmol. 2009 May-Jun;57(3):232-4. PubMed
    6. 95216. Biedner B, Rothkoff L, Witztum A. Calotropis procera (Sodom apple) latex keratoconjunctivitis. Isr J Med Sci. 1977 Sep;13(9):914-6.

    Hydroxychloroquine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Hydroxychloroquine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Swelling Additional detail

    Calotropis

    “Topically, calotropis has been reported to cause ocular injury. Intentional or accidental exposure of the eye to calotropis, often through self-treatment or workplace exposure, has been associated with painless vision reduction involving corneal edema and Descemet folds. Epithelial defects, iridocyclitis, and secondary glaucoma have also been reported in up to 31% of cases.”

    Calotropis · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in glaucoma.

    4 sources cited
    1. 95213. Al-Mezaine HS, Al-Rajhi AA, Al-Assiri A, Wagoner MD. Calotropis procera (ushaar) keratitis. Am J Ophthalmol. 2005 Jan;139(1):199-202. PubMed
    2. 95214. Al-Mezaine HS, Al-Amry MA, Al-Assiri A, et al. Corneal endothelial cytotoxicity of the Calotropis procera (ushaar) plant. Cornea. 2008 May;27(4):504-6. PubMed
    3. 95215. Basak SK, Bhaumik A, Mohanta A, Singhal P. Ocular toxicity by latex of Calotropis procera (Sodom apple). Indian J Ophthalmol. 2009 May-Jun;57(3):232-4. PubMed
    4. 95216. Biedner B, Rothkoff L, Witztum A. Calotropis procera (Sodom apple) latex keratoconjunctivitis. Isr J Med Sci. 1977 Sep;13(9):914-6.

    Hydroxychloroquine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Hydroxychloroquine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Diarrhea / Vomiting Additional detail

    Calotropis

    “Orally, high doses of calotropis can cause vomiting and diarrhea (18).”

    Calotropis · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    1 source cited
    1. 18. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.

    Hydroxychloroquine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Hydroxychloroquine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • A skin rash Additional detail

    Calotropis

    “Topically, calotropis has been reported to cause allergic contact dermatitis. In one case report, a 24-year-old male developed allergic dermatitis of the penis and scrotum after touching a calotropis plant with his hands and then spreading exposure to the penis and scrotum. The patient experienced redness, burning, lesions, and a watery discharge.”

    Calotropis · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in dermatitis.

    1 source cited
    1. 95217. Handa F, Sadana JK, Sharma PK. Allergic contact dermatitis due to the plant Calotropis procera (Vern: AK). A case report. Indian J Dermatol. 1984 Jul;29(3):27-9.

    “Topically, calotropis has been reported to cause allergic contact dermatitis.”

    Calotropis · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in dermatitis.

    1 source cited
    1. 95217. Handa F, Sadana JK, Sharma PK. Allergic contact dermatitis due to the plant Calotropis procera (Vern: AK). A case report. Indian J Dermatol. 1984 Jul;29(3):27-9.

    Hydroxychloroquine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Hydroxychloroquine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Calotropis but not commonly for Hydroxychloroquine: a slow heartbeat and loss of vision.

Effects for Hydroxychloroquine come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Calotropis come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Calotropis in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy And Lactation Likely Unsafe

When used orally; avoid using.

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 Hydroxychloroquine Products Have a Food Rule — Calotropis Should Not Break It

At least one FDA label for a product containing Hydroxychloroquine says to take it with food. If you take Calotropis on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate — and take Hydroxychloroquine 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 Hydroxychloroquine 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.

Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults ( 2.3 ): Initial dosage: 400 mg to 600 mg daily Chronic dosage: 200 mg once daily or 400 mg once daily (or in two divided doses) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Adults ( 2.4 ): 200 mg once daily or 400 mg once daily (or in two divided doses) Chronic Discoid Lupus Erythematosus in Adults ( 2.5 ): 200 mg once daily or 400 mg once daily (or in two divided doses) 2.1 Imp

From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Hydroxychloroquine — 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.

From our Q&A

Questions About Calotropis or Hydroxychloroquine

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Calotropis or Hydroxychloroquine, 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 Hydroxychloroquine

This page covers Calotropis only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Hydroxychloroquine page lists 32 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), Arsenic (major), Cesium (major) and Ephedra (major).

By severity: 7 major · 16 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Hydroxychloroquine page

“Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) can stretch the QT interval on its own, the pause between heartbeats that, prolonged too far, can trigger a dangerous rhythm. Thirteen of the supplements and herbs on this page add to that same effect, grapefruit in large amounts among them, and that overlap is why this list calls for genuine care rather…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Hydroxychloroquine interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Calotropis and Hydroxychloroquine 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 Calotropis
Steady interest

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

29 days ago today
Medication Hydroxychloroquine
Top 25%

#316 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 Calotropis reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Calotropis and Hydroxychloroquine 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 Calotropis

What is Calotropis?

  • Skin conditions and wounds (traditional, topical)
  • Joint pain and inflammation
  • Digestive complaints
  • Coughs and respiratory issues
  • Traditional Ayurvedic and folk remedies

Calotropis is a milkweed-family plant long used in traditional medicine, but its milky latex and other parts are potentially toxic and can harm the eyes, skin, and heart. Human evidence for any health benefit is very limited, and the risk of poisoning is real, so it should not be taken internally without expert medical supervision.

Calotropis procera · Apocynaceae · Latex (milky sap), leaves, roots, and flowers · Traditional preparations such as dried plant powder, root or leaf extracts, and topical applications of latex; rarely standardized commercial products

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

Calotropis: dosing

There is no established safe or standardized dose of Calotropis. In general, internal use is best avoided.

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

Read the full Calotropis monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Hydroxychloroquine

What Is Hydroxychloroquine Used For?

Brand name: Plaquenil

Hydroxychloroquine tablets are used to treat uncomplicated malaria and to help prevent malaria in areas where the parasite has not developed resistance to it — in both adults and children. It is also used in adults to treat rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and chronic discoid lupus erythematosus.

There are important limits: it is not recommended for complicated or drug-resistant malaria, malaria acquired in regions where resistance is known, or to prevent malaria relapses caused by P. vivax or P. ovale. Its use for the autoimmune conditions (rheumatoid arthritis and lupus) is approved for adults only.

See full Hydroxychloroquine drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Calotropis

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

0Major
98Moderate
0Minor
2,731No known interaction
98 Moderate 2,731 No interaction
Moderate

98 interactions

Showing 60 of 98 moderate interactions — see all 98 on the Calotropis page.

No interaction 2,731 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,731 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Calotropis list.

See the full Calotropis interactions page
See every supplement checked against Hydroxychloroquine, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Calotropis References

The 7 references that drive our Calotropis 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. Robbers JE, Speedie MK, Tyler VE. Pharmacognosy and Pharmacobiotechnology. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Al-Mezaine HS, Al-Rajhi AA, Al-Assiri A, Wagoner MD. Calotropis procera (ushaar) keratitis. Am J Ophthalmol. 2005 Jan;139(1):199-202. PubMed
  4. Al-Mezaine HS, Al-Amry MA, Al-Assiri A, et al. Corneal endothelial cytotoxicity of the Calotropis procera (ushaar) plant. Cornea. 2008 May;27(4):504-6. PubMed
  5. Basak SK, Bhaumik A, Mohanta A, Singhal P. Ocular toxicity by latex of Calotropis procera (Sodom apple). Indian J Ophthalmol. 2009 May-Jun;57(3):232-4. PubMed
  6. Biedner B, Rothkoff L, Witztum A. Calotropis procera (Sodom apple) latex keratoconjunctivitis. Isr J Med Sci. 1977 Sep;13(9):914-6.
  7. Handa F, Sadana JK, Sharma PK. Allergic contact dermatitis due to the plant Calotropis procera (Vern: AK). A case report. Indian J Dermatol. 1984 Jul;29(3):27-9.

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 Calotropis and Hydroxychloroquine Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Calotropis with Hydroxychloroquine?
We do not list a known interaction between Calotropis and Hydroxychloroquine. 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 Calotropis and Hydroxychloroquine have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 5 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 Calotropis and Hydroxychloroquine at the same time of day?
At least one FDA label for a product containing Hydroxychloroquine says to take it with food. If you take Calotropis on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate and take Hydroxychloroquine with a meal where the label says to. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient — two Hydroxychloroquine products can differ — so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.
How was the Calotropis and Hydroxychloroquine combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Hydroxychloroquine is filed under 3 classifications, and Calotropis has documented interactions with 4 drug classes — none of Hydroxychloroquine'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 Calotropis interact with any other medications?
Yes. Calotropis has 98 documented drug interactions in our database — Hydroxychloroquine 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 Hydroxychloroquine interact with any supplements?
Yes. Hydroxychloroquine has documented interactions with 32 supplements in our database — Calotropis is not one of them. The Hydroxychloroquine 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

Calotropis monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Hydroxychloroquine drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Hydroxychloroquine supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Hydroxychloroquine, 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 7 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Hydroxychloroquine and Calotropis?

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.