Drug & supplement interaction

Colocynth + Ketoprofen

Ketoprofen brand names: Orudis, Oruvail Gel, Powergel, Oruvail Injection.

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 Colocynth and Ketoprofen 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 Ketoprofen 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

Colocynth and Ketoprofen

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 Ketoprofen and Colocynth 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.

Colocynth safety at a glance

Colocynth overall Avoid Colocynth is a strong irritant and poison that can cause severe gut damage and death.
Pregnancy Avoid It may stimulate the uterus and is considered unsafe in pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Unsafe When used orally due to severe gastrointestinal toxicity; 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 Ketoprofen and Colocynth? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Ketoprofen

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Ketoprofen is filed under 8 classifications — including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids), anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs, organic anion transporter 3 (oat3) substrates. Colocynth has documented interactions with 5 drug classes — the most serious being antidiabetes drugs (moderate), digoxin (lanoxin) (moderate) and diuretic drugs (moderate) — and none of Ketoprofen’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

Colocynth Does Interact With Other Medications

Colocynth has 185 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Ketoprofen isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 185 No known interaction 2,645 (incl. Ketoprofen)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Colocynth

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

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Colocynth and Ketoprofen 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.

  • Kidney problems Worth acting on Additional detail

    Colocynth

    “Orally, colocynth is generally regarded as unsafe. Topically, colocynth seems to be well tolerated when used short-term.

    Most Common Adverse Effects:

    Orally: Diarrhea.

    Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):

    Orally: Bloody diarrhea, hemorrhagic cystitis, kidney damage, convulsions, paralysis, death.”

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

    Ketoprofen

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

  • Itching Additional detail

    Colocynth

    “Topically, mild pruritus has been reported in one patient that used a sesame oil-based colocynth fruit extract in a small clinical study.”

    Colocynth · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in pruritus.

    1 source cited
    1. 98602. Heydari M, Homayouni K, Hashempur MH, Shams M. Topical Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) extract oil in painful diabetic neuropathy: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Diabetes. 2016;8(2):246-52. DOI

    Ketoprofen

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

  • Diarrhea Additional detail

    Colocynth

    “Orally, ingestion of colocynth 0.6-1 grams can cause severe irritation of the gastric mucosa and bloody diarrhea (2,18). Cases of bloody diarrhea and intestinal cramps have been reported in case reports of individuals consuming the fresh fruit, the 'size of an orange' or unknown amounts of the extract. Colocynth ingestion can also cause acute toxic colitis.”

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

    5 sources cited
    1. 2. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
    2. 18. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
    3. 98601. Khan SA, Shelleh HH, Bhat AR, Bhat KS. Colocynth toxicity. A possible cause of bloody diarrhea. Saudi Med J. 2003;24(8):904-6. DOI
    4. 10653. Goldfain D, Lavergne A, Galian A, et al. Peculiar acute toxic colitis after ingestion of colocynth: a clinicopathological study of three cases. Gut 1989;30:1412-18.. PubMed
    5. 98604. Huseini HF, Darvishzadeh F, Heshmat R, Jafariazar Z, Raza M, Larijani B. The clinical investigation of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) schrad fruit in treatment of Type II diabetic patients: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytot

    Ketoprofen

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

Reported for Colocynth but not commonly for Ketoprofen: seizures.

Effects for Ketoprofen come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Colocynth come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 13,040 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Ketoprofen 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.

Special populations

Colocynth in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Lactation Unsafe

When used orally due to severe gastrointestinal toxicity; 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 Ketoprofen Products Have a Food Rule — Colocynth Should Not Break It

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

Although food delays the absorption of both formulations (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ) in most of the clinical trials ketoprofen was taken with food or milk.

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

This page covers Colocynth only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Ketoprofen page lists 252 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Asarabacca (major), Beer (major), Danshen (major) and Piracetam (major).

By severity: 7 major · 217 moderate · 28 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Ketoprofen page

“Bleeding is what worries me most with ketoprofen (Orudis, Oruvail Gel). As an NSAID, it already irritates the stomach lining and slows clotting, and 202 of the 252 supplements and herbs on this page can push that bleeding risk further.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Ketoprofen interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 2 real supplement products containing Colocynth, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Colocynth. Even though Colocynth itself has no known interaction with Ketoprofen, 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 Colocynth and Ketoprofen 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 Colocynth
Steady interest

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

29 days ago today
Medication Ketoprofen
Top half

#1,216 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 Colocynth reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Colocynth and Ketoprofen 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 Colocynth

What is Colocynth?

  • Constipation
  • Digestive complaints
  • Diabetes (traditional use)
  • Joint and nerve pain
  • Skin conditions

Colocynth is a bitter desert gourd used in traditional medicine mainly as a powerful laxative, but it is highly toxic and can cause severe, sometimes deadly poisoning even at small doses. There is not enough good human evidence to support its use, and most pharmacists would advise against taking it. If you are curious about it, talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using any product that contains it.

Citrullus colocynthis · Cucurbitaceae · Fruit (pulp), seeds, and root · Dried fruit pulp, powder, capsules, traditional and homeopathic preparations

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

Colocynth: dosing

There is no established safe dose of colocynth for general use, and most health authorities and pharmacists do not recommend taking it at all because of its toxicity. Never take raw colocynth fruit, pulp, or seeds.

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

Read the full Colocynth monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Ketoprofen

What Is Ketoprofen Used For?

Brand names: Orudis, Oruvail Gel, Powergel, Oruvail Injection

Ketoprofen capsules (including the brand Orudis) are used to manage the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, to treat pain, and to treat primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods).

Ketoprofen extended-release capsules are approved for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis only. Because of the way they slowly release the drug, ketoprofen extended-release capsules are not recommended for treating acute (sudden) pain.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Ketoprofen

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (13,040 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Headache 1,232 reports
Fatigue 932 reports
Nausea 799 reports
Infusion site pain 764 reports
Fever 756 reports
See full Ketoprofen drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Colocynth

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

0Major
185Moderate
0Minor
2,644No known interaction
185 Moderate 2,644 No interaction
Moderate

185 interactions

Showing 60 of 185 moderate interactions — see all 185 on the Colocynth page.

No interaction 2,644 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,644 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Colocynth list.

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

Colocynth References

The 9 references that drive our Colocynth 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. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  4. Osol and Farar. The Dispensatory of the United States of America. 25th ed. JB Lippincott Co., 1955.
  5. Goldfain D, Lavergne A, Galian A, et al. Peculiar acute toxic colitis after ingestion of colocynth: a clinicopathological study of three cases. Gut 1989;30:1412-18.. PubMed
  6. Li Y, Zheng M, Zhai X, et al. Effect of Gymnema Sylvester, Citrullus colocynthis and Artemisa absinthum on blood glucose and lipid profile in diabetic human. Acta Pol Pharm. 2015;72(5):981-5.
  7. Khan SA, Shelleh HH, Bhat AR, Bhat KS. Colocynth toxicity. A possible cause of bloody diarrhea. Saudi Med J. 2003;24(8):904-6. DOI
  8. Heydari M, Homayouni K, Hashempur MH, Shams M. Topical Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) extract oil in painful diabetic neuropathy: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Diabetes. 2016;8(2):246-52. DOI
  9. Huseini HF, Darvishzadeh F, Heshmat R, Jafariazar Z, Raza M, Larijani B. The clinical investigation of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) schrad fruit in treatment of Type II diabetic patients: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytot

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 Colocynth and Ketoprofen Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Colocynth with Ketoprofen?
We do not list a known interaction between Colocynth and Ketoprofen. 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 Colocynth and Ketoprofen have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 3 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 Colocynth and Ketoprofen at the same time of day?
At least one FDA label for a product containing Ketoprofen says to take it with food. If you take Colocynth on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate and take Ketoprofen with a meal where the label says to. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient — two Ketoprofen products can differ — so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.
How was the Colocynth and Ketoprofen combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Ketoprofen is filed under 8 classifications, and Colocynth has documented interactions with 5 drug classes — none of Ketoprofen'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 Colocynth interact with any other medications?
Yes. Colocynth has 185 documented drug interactions in our database — Ketoprofen 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 Ketoprofen interact with any supplements?
Yes. Ketoprofen has documented interactions with 252 supplements in our database — Colocynth is not one of them. The Ketoprofen 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

Colocynth monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Ketoprofen drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Ketoprofen supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Ketoprofen, 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 9 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Ketoprofen and Colocynth?

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.