Drug & supplement interaction

Coriander + Amitriptyline, Perphenazine

Amitriptyline, Perphenazine brand names: Triavil, Etrafon, Etrafon-A, Etrafon-Forte.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Amitriptyline, Perphenazine falls into 2 drug categories that Coriander can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, coriander might cause additive sedative effects when taken with CNS depressants.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
Know someone taking this? Share
Interaction report

Coriander and Amitriptyline, Perphenazine

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

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

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

Moderate

CNS DEPRESSANTS

1 of 2

Why this applies to Amitriptyline, Perphenazine

Amitriptyline, Perphenazine falls under CNS DEPRESSANTS — the group Coriander interacts with.

Theoretically, coriander might cause additive sedative effects when taken with CNS depressants.
Evidence from animal research suggests that coriander fruit extract has sedative effects.
Severity Moderate 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

This combination pill pairs amitriptyline (a tricyclic antidepressant) with perphenazine (an antipsychotic). Both already tend to make people drowsy on their own. The concern here is simple: coriander may add a little extra sedation on top of that. So in theory, taking concentrated coriander extracts or essential oils alongside this medication could leave you feeling more sleepy, groggy, foggy, or unsteady than usual.

I want to be honest about how thin this evidence is. It comes only from animal research, not human studies, and it's considered theoretical. The amount of coriander (cilantro) you'd use in cooking is very unlikely to cause any problem. Concentrated supplements are a different story, so check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting one.

References
  1. Emamghoreishi, M., Khasaki, M., and Aazam, M. F. Coriandrum sativum: evaluation of its anxiolytic effect in the elevated plus-maze. J Ethnopharmacol. 1-15-2005;96(3):365-370. PubMed
Moderate

PHOTOSENSITIZING DRUGS

2 of 2

Amitriptyline, Perphenazine also falls under PHOTOSENSITIZING DRUGS.

Theoretically, coriander might increase the risk of photosensitivity when taken with photosensitizing drugs.
Evidence from in vitro research suggests that coriandrin, a constituent of coriander, has photosensitizing effects.
Severity Moderate 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 with this combo. Your medication (the amitriptyline and perphenazine mix) can already make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, meaning you may sunburn faster or break out in a rash with less time outdoors than usual. Coriander contains a compound called coriandrin that, in lab studies, also seems to make skin react more to UV light. So in theory, pairing the two could add up and make you a little more sun-sensitive.

I want to be honest though: this is based on very limited, mostly test-tube evidence, not real patient cases. Eating cilantro in your food is highly unlikely to cause any trouble. Concentrated extracts or essential oils are the bigger question mark. Just use sunscreen and check with your pharmacist if you're using strong coriander supplements.

References
  1. Ashwood-Smith, M. J., Warrington, P. J., Jenkins, M., Ceska, O., and Romaniuk, P. J. Photobiological properties of a novel, naturally occurring furoisocoumarin, coriandrin. Photochem.Photobiol. 1989;50(6):745-751. PubMed

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

Coriander Also Interacts With Other Medications

Coriander has 716 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Amitriptyline, Perphenazine one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Coriander

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Amitriptyline, Perphenazine

This page covers Coriander only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Amitriptyline, Perphenazine page lists 311 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: 1,4-butanediol (major), Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), Arsenic (major) and Beer (major).

By severity: 19 major · 235 moderate · 57 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Amitriptyline, Perphenazine page

“Alcohol is the risk I'd flag first for anyone taking amitriptyline with perphenazine (Triavil, Etrafon). Beer and wine both carry major ratings here, and 78 of the 311 ingredients on file deepen the drowsiness this antidepressant and antipsychotic combination already causes, sometimes to the point of slowed breathing.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Amitriptyline, Perphenazine interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 934 real supplement products containing Coriander, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Coriander. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Amitriptyline, Perphenazine too, on top of Coriander — 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 Coriander and Amitriptyline, Perphenazine 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 Coriander
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Amitriptyline, Perphenazine
Top half

#1,131 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 Coriander

What is Coriander?

Coriander
  • Digestive upset and gas
  • Appetite stimulation
  • Mild antimicrobial (topical)
  • Diarrhea and IBS symptoms
  • General flavoring and traditional remedy

Coriander (also called cilantro) is a common cooking herb and spice that has long been used in traditional medicine for digestive complaints. As a food it is generally safe for most people, but high-quality human studies supporting its medicinal benefits are limited. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using concentrated extracts or essential oils.

Read the full Coriander monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Coriander

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

0Major
716Moderate
0Minor
2,113No known interaction
Moderate

716 interactions

Showing 60 of 716 moderate interactions — see all 716 on the Coriander page.

No interaction 2,113 drugs checked — show the list
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
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Coriander and Amitriptyline, Perphenazine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Coriander with Amitriptyline, Perphenazine?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 2 interactions listed for Coriander and Amitriptyline, Perphenazine?
Amitriptyline, Perphenazine belongs to more than one drug category, and Coriander 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 Coriander and Amitriptyline, Perphenazine interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

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

Still Have a Question About Amitriptyline, Perphenazine and Coriander?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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.