Drug & supplement interaction

Devil's Claw + Esomeprazole Strontium

Esomeprazole Strontium brand name: Esomeprazole Strontium.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Esomeprazole Strontium falls into 3 drug categories that Devil's Claw can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, devil's claw might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions3
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Devil's Claw and Esomeprazole Strontium

These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Devil's Claw interacts with whole categories of medication. Esomeprazole Strontium falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Devil's Claw in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES

1 of 3

Why this applies to Esomeprazole Strontium

Esomeprazole Strontium falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES — the group Devil's Claw interacts with.

Theoretically, devil's claw might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.
In vitro research shows that devil's claw might inhibit CYP2C19, although this has not been reported in humans.
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 simple version. Your body uses an enzyme called CYP2C19 to clear esomeprazole out of your system. In lab dish studies, devil's claw appears to slow that enzyme down a bit. If that happened in people, esomeprazole could hang around a little longer and its levels could creep up. Since this drug already lowers stomach acid, more of it usually just means a touch more of the same, things like headache, nausea, gas, or loose stools.

The important catch: this is only a test-tube finding and has never actually been shown in real people, so it may not matter at all. It's not a dangerous combo, but if you take both, mention it to your pharmacist or doctor so they can keep an eye on how you feel.

References
  1. Unger M, Frank A. Simultaneous determination of the inhibitory potency of herbal extracts on the activity of six major cytochrome P450 enzymes using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and automated online extraction. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2004;1 PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

2 of 3

Esomeprazole Strontium also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, devil's claw might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro research shows that devil's claw might inhibit CYP3A4, although this has not been reported in humans.
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: esomeprazole (the acid-reducing part of Esomeprazole Strontium) is partly cleared by a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. In a test tube, devil's claw seemed to slow that enzyme down. If that happened in your body, esomeprazole could build up a little, which in theory might mean slightly stronger or longer-lasting effects, such as headache, nausea, or stomach upset.

I want to be honest about the strength of this, though. This is only lab-dish data, and it has never been shown to actually happen in people. Esomeprazole is also a pretty forgiving drug, so a small shift isn't usually a big deal. Still, before you pair them, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor, especially since devil's claw product strength varies a lot.

References
  1. Unger M, Frank A. Simultaneous determination of the inhibitory potency of herbal extracts on the activity of six major cytochrome P450 enzymes using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and automated online extraction. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2004;1 PubMed
Minor

PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS (PPIs)

3 of 3

Esomeprazole Strontium also falls under PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS (PPIs).

Theoretically, devil's claw might decrease the effectiveness of PPIs.
Devil's claw has been reported to increase stomach acid, which might interfere with the effects of PPIs.
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

Esomeprazole strontium is a proton pump inhibitor, meaning it works by quieting down the acid pumps in your stomach to ease problems like heartburn, reflux, and ulcers. The concern here is that devil's claw has been reported to do the opposite, nudging your stomach to make a little more acid. In theory, that could work against your esomeprazole and leave you with more burning, sour taste, or indigestion than you'd expect.

I want to be honest with you though: this is very loosely supported. It rests on anecdotal reports, not solid studies, and it's rated as a minor interaction. Many people would notice nothing. Still, if you take devil's claw for joint or back pain and find your reflux creeping back, mention it to 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

Devil's Claw Also Interacts With Other Medications

Devil's Claw has 730 moderate, 73 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Esomeprazole Strontium 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 Devil's Claw

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Devil's Claw. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Esomeprazole Strontium

This page covers Devil's Claw only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Esomeprazole Strontium page lists 154 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 · 102 moderate · 49 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Esomeprazole Strontium page

“People managing reflux or ulcers with esomeprazole strontium, a proton pump inhibitor, are often the same people reaching for herbal remedies and fiber, and this list of 154 interacting ingredients deserves a careful read, not a shrug. Three entries rate major, and all three, grapefruit, St.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Esomeprazole Strontium interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Devil's Claw as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 585 real supplement products containing Devil's Claw, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Devil's Claw. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Esomeprazole Strontium too, on top of Devil's Claw — 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 Devil's Claw and Esomeprazole Strontium 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 Devil's Claw
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Esomeprazole Strontium
Top half

#1,125 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 Devil's Claw

What is Devil's Claw?

Devil's Claw
  • Osteoarthritis pain
  • Lower back pain
  • Joint pain and stiffness
  • General inflammation
  • Digestive upset and loss of appetite

Devil's claw is a southern African plant used mainly for arthritis and back pain, and some studies suggest it may help ease these types of discomfort. The evidence is moderate at best, and product strength varies, so talk with your pharmacist or doctor before trying it, especially if you have a health condition or take medications.

Read the full Devil's Claw monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Devil's Claw

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

0Major
730Moderate
73Minor
2,026No known interaction
Moderate

730 interactions

Showing 60 of 730 moderate interactions — see all 730 on the Devil's Claw page.

Minor

73 interactions

Showing 60 of 73 minor interactions — see all 73 on the Devil's Claw page.

No interaction 2,026 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 Devil's Claw and Esomeprazole Strontium Together: Common Questions

Can you take Devil's Claw with Esomeprazole Strontium?
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 3 interactions listed for Devil's Claw and Esomeprazole Strontium?
Esomeprazole Strontium belongs to more than one drug category, and Devil's Claw 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 Devil's Claw and Esomeprazole Strontium 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

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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.