Drug & supplement interaction

Cubebs + Dexlansoprazole

Dexlansoprazole brand name: Dexilant Solutab.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Dexlansoprazole falls into 2 drug categories that Cubebs can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Several compounds isolated from cubebs can inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) in vitro.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Cubebs and Dexlansoprazole

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

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

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

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

1 of 2

Why this applies to Dexlansoprazole

Dexlansoprazole falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES — the group Cubebs interacts with.

Several compounds isolated from cubebs can inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) in vitro. So far, this effect has not been reported in humans. Theoretically, cubebs might increase the effects and side effects of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4. These include lovastatin (Mevacor), clarithromycin (Biaxin), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), diltiazem (Cardizem), estrogens, indinavir (Crixivan), triazolam (Halcion), and numerous others.
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 quick version: lab studies show that certain compounds in cubeb berries can slow down a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant) is partly cleared by this enzyme, so in theory cubebs could let a bit more of the drug linger in your body. That might nudge up its effects and any side effects, things like headache, diarrhea, nausea, or stomach discomfort.

I want to be straight with you, though: this is only seen in test-tube research, not in real people, so the actual risk looks low. The sprinkle of cubeb you'd use as a spice is very unlikely to matter. Concentrated extracts or oils are a different story, so check with your pharmacist or doctor before using those alongside Dexilant.

References
  1. Usia T, Watabe T, Kadota S, Tezuka Y. Potent CYP3A4 inhibitory constituents of Piper cubeba. J Nat Prod 2005;68(1):64-8.
Minor

PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS (PPIs)

2 of 2

Dexlansoprazole also falls under PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS (PPIs).

Theoretically, due to reports that cubebs increases stomach acid, cubebs might decrease the effectiveness of PPIs. PPIs include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium).
Severity Minor 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 simple version. Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) works by turning down the acid pumps in your stomach, which calms heartburn and lets an irritated esophagus heal. The concern with cubebs is the opposite direction: some old reports suggest these peppery berries may nudge your stomach to make a little more acid. If that happens, the theory is that cubebs could chip away at how well your Dexilant controls symptoms, meaning more heartburn or reflux could break through.

I want to be honest about the strength here. This is theoretical and based on anecdotal reports only, not solid studies, and it's rated minor. A pinch of cubeb as a cooking spice is unlikely to undo your medicine. Concentrated extracts or oils are where I'd be more cautious. If your reflux acts up, check in with your pharmacist or doctor before changing anything.

References
  1. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.

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

Cubebs Also Interacts With Other Medications

Cubebs has 642 moderate, 22 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Dexlansoprazole 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 Cubebs

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Cubebs or Dexlansoprazole

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

This page covers Cubebs only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Dexlansoprazole page lists 153 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Grapefruit (major), St. John's Wort (major), Acacia Rigidula (moderate) and Adrafinil (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 101 moderate · 49 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Dexlansoprazole page

“Heartburn feels ordinary, so people taking dexlansoprazole (Dexilant) for reflux often add supplements without a second thought. I would slow down here.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Dexlansoprazole interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 19 real supplement products containing Cubebs, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Cubebs. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Dexlansoprazole too, on top of Cubebs — 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 Cubebs and Dexlansoprazole 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 Cubebs
Top half

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

29 days ago today
Medication Dexlansoprazole
Top 25%

#302 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 Cubebs

What is Cubebs?

Cubebs
  • Coughs and bronchitis
  • Indigestion and gas
  • Urinary tract complaints
  • Sore throat
  • Culinary spice

Cubebs are spicy, peppery berries from a vine in the pepper family that have long been used in traditional medicine for coughs, digestion, and urinary problems. Modern human studies are very limited, so its benefits are not well proven. Use it cautiously as a food spice, and talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using concentrated extracts or oils.

Read the full Cubebs monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Dexlansoprazole

What Is Dexlansoprazole Used For?

Brand name: Dexilant Solutab

Dexlansoprazole delayed-release capsules — sold as Dexilant and available as a generic — are used in patients 12 years of age and older to heal erosive esophagitis (EE), which is damage to the esophagus caused by stomach acid. They are also used to keep that damage healed and relieve heartburn over time.

In addition, dexlansoprazole treats heartburn from non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — that is, acid reflux that causes symptoms without visible damage to the esophagus. Both Dexilant and generic dexlansoprazole delayed-release capsules share these same approved uses.

See full Dexlansoprazole drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Cubebs

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

0Major
642Moderate
22Minor
2,165No known interaction
Moderate

642 interactions

Showing 60 of 642 moderate interactions — see all 642 on the Cubebs page.

Minor

22 interactions

No interaction 2,165 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

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Cubebs and Dexlansoprazole Together: Common Questions

Can you take Cubebs with Dexlansoprazole?
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 Cubebs and Dexlansoprazole?
Dexlansoprazole belongs to more than one drug category, and Cubebs 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 Cubebs and Dexlansoprazole 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 Dexlansoprazole and Cubebs?

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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.