Fo-ti + Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen
Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen brand name: Vicoprofen.
Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen falls into 4 drug categories that Fo-ti can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, fo-ti may increase the levels and clinical effects of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
Read the full interaction reportFo-ti and Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen
These two interact in 4 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 4 Interactions?
Fo-ti interacts with whole categories of medication. Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen falls into 4 of those categories, so it can interact with Fo-ti in 4 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).
CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES
1 of 4Why this applies to Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen
Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES — the group Fo-ti interacts with.
Animal research suggests that fo-ti might inhibit CYP2D6. Additionally, an in vitro study suggests that the degree of CYP2D6 inhibition may depend on the type of fo-ti extract (i.e., the raw plant leads to greater inhibition than extensively processed extracts). However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.
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.
Here's the wrinkle with Vicoprofen (hydrocodone plus ibuprofen): the hydrocodone part is actually a prodrug. Your body uses an enzyme called CYP2D6 to convert it into hydromorphone, which does much of the pain-relieving work. Lab and animal studies hint that Fo-ti, especially the raw root, may slow that same enzyme down.
If that held true in people, it could mean a bit less conversion, so you might notice your pain isn't as well controlled. The flip side is that more of the original hydrocodone may linger, so the picture isn't black and white. Honestly, this is only a theoretical, test-tube concern and hasn't been seen in real patients. Still, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.
- Zhang Y, Ding T, Diao T, Deng M, Chen S. Effects of Polygonum multiflorum on the activity of cytochrome P450 isoforms in rats. Pharmazie 2015;70(1):47-54. DOI
- Xing Y, Yu Q, Zhou L, et al. Cytochrome P450-mediated herb-drug interaction (HDI) of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. based on pharmacokinetic studies and in vitro inhibition assays. Phytomedicine 2023;112:154710. PubMed
CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES
2 of 4Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES.
Animal and in vitro research suggests that fo-ti may inhibit CYP2C9. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.
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.
Vicoprofen combines two medicines: hydrocodone (an opioid pain reliever) and ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory). The ibuprofen part is partly broken down by a liver enzyme called CYP2C9. Lab and animal studies hint that Fo-ti may slow that enzyme down, which could in theory let ibuprofen build up a bit higher than usual. If that happened, you might notice more of ibuprofen's typical downsides, like stomach upset, heartburn, or, with heavier use, a higher chance of stomach irritation or kidney strain.
Here's the honest part: this is only a theoretical concern from test-tube and animal work, and it hasn't been seen in real people. I wouldn't lose sleep over it, but since Fo-ti has also been tied to liver problems, please check with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.
- 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
- Zhang Y, Ding T, Diao T, Deng M, Chen S. Effects of Polygonum multiflorum on the activity of cytochrome P450 isoforms in rats. Pharmazie 2015;70(1):47-54. DOI
- Xing Y, Yu Q, Zhou L, et al. Cytochrome P450-mediated herb-drug interaction (HDI) of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. based on pharmacokinetic studies and in vitro inhibition assays. Phytomedicine 2023;112:154710. PubMed
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES
3 of 4Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.
In vitro research suggests that fo-ti might inhibit CYP3A4. One in vitro study suggests that the degree of CYP3A4 inhibition may depend on the type of fo-ti extract (i.e., the raw plant leads to greater inhibition than extensively processed extracts). However, this evidence conflicts with animal research suggesting that fo-ti does not inhibit CYP3A4. This interaction has not been reported in humans.
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.
Vicoprofen combines hydrocodone (an opioid) with ibuprofen. The hydrocodone part is handled partly by a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. The thinking here is that Fo-ti might slow that enzyme down a little, which could let more hydrocodone hang around in your body. In theory, that might mean stronger opioid effects, like extra drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, or slowed breathing if it really stacked up.
I want to be honest about how shaky this is. This concern comes only from lab and animal studies, the results even disagree with each other, and it has never actually been reported in a real person. So I would not lose sleep over it, but since both can affect alertness, it is worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.
- 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
- Zhang Y, Ding T, Diao T, Deng M, Chen S. Effects of Polygonum multiflorum on the activity of cytochrome P450 isoforms in rats. Pharmazie 2015;70(1):47-54. DOI
- Xing Y, Yu Q, Zhou L, et al. Cytochrome P450-mediated herb-drug interaction (HDI) of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. based on pharmacokinetic studies and in vitro inhibition assays. Phytomedicine 2023;112:154710. PubMed
ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS
4 of 4Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen also falls under ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS.
Some of these drugs include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), dipyridamole (Persantine), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
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.
Here's the piece that matters for Vicoprofen: it contains ibuprofen, an NSAID that already nudges up your bleeding risk by making platelets a little less sticky and by irritating the stomach lining. Fo-ti's concern is different. In rare cases it has been tied to liver injury, and a struggling liver makes fewer clotting factors, which can tip you toward easier bleeding.
Put those two together and you could, in theory, see more bruising, nosebleeds, stomach upset, or darker stools. This is based on anecdotal reports, not strong studies, so I don't want to alarm you. Please don't change anything on your own. Just loop in your pharmacist or doctor, especially if you notice unusual bruising, belly pain, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- Jung KA, Min HJ, Yoo SS, et al. Drug-Induced Liver Injury: Twenty Five Cases of Acute Hepatitis Following Ingestion of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. Gut Liver 2011;5(4):493-9. PubMed
What These Ratings Mean
Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.
Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.
Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.
Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.
- 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.
- 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.
Fo-ti Also Interacts With Other Medications
Fo-ti has 1,256 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.
Check Another of Your Medications Against Fo-ti
We haven’t checked that one against Fo-ti yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Fo-ti. Pick one to open its full report.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen
This page covers Fo-ti only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen page lists 379 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), Asarabacca (major), Beer (major) and Danshen (major).
By severity: 13 major · 324 moderate · 42 minor.
From our pharmacist’s overview on the Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen page
“Vicoprofen pairs hydrocodone, an opioid, with ibuprofen, an NSAID, which gives supplements two separate ways to cause trouble, and 13 of the 379 interactions on file are rated major, so this page deserves a careful read rather than a skim. The biggest patterns are bleeding and sedation: more than 200 of these ingredients can add to ibu…”
Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026
Taking Fo-ti as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions
We hold 976 real supplement products containing Fo-ti, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Fo-ti. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen too, on top of Fo-ti — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:
Where Fo-ti and Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen 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.
#210 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#1,977 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days
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.
About Fo-ti
What is Fo-ti?
- Anti-aging and longevity
- Hair graying and hair loss
- General tonic for vitality
- Constipation
- High cholesterol
Fo-ti (He Shou Wu) is a root used in traditional Chinese medicine, often promoted for healthy aging and hair. High-quality human evidence for these benefits is limited, and processed Fo-ti has been linked to reports of liver injury, so caution and professional guidance are important.
Other Drugs & Fo-ti
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Fo-ti — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
1,256 interactions
- Diclofenac Sodium ›
- Diltiazem ›
- Theophylline ›
- Nifedipine ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Aspirin ›
- Hydrocortisone ›
- Insulin (rdna) ›
- Naproxen ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Erythromycin ›
- Estradiol ›
- Minocycline ›
- Propranolol ›
- Tetracycline ›
- Lidocaine ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Hydrochlorothiazide ›
- Norethindrone ›
- Testosterone ›
- Verapamil ›
- Fenofibrate ›
- Levonorgestrel ›
- Prednisone ›
- Quinidine ›
- Cyclosporine ›
- Dexamethasone ›
- Glyburide ›
- Insulin (pork) ›
- Methyltestosterone ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Bupropion ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Colchicine ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Flurbiprofen ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Orphenadrine ›
- Oxybutynin ›
- Oxycodone ›
- Phenytoin ›
- Prednisolone ›
- Tacrolimus ›
- Temazepam ›
- Allopurinol ›
- Budesonide ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Clindamycin ›
- Dextromethorphan ›
- Diclofenac Potassium ›
- Dipyridamole ›
- Doxorubicin ›
- Fluticasone ›
- Formoterol ›
- Indomethacin ›
- Insulin (human) ›
- Miconazole ›
- Morphine Sulfate ›
- Trimipramine ›
Showing 60 of 1,256 moderate interactions — see all 1,256 on the Fo-ti page.
No interaction 1,573 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked Fo-ti against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Levothyroxine ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Escitalopram ›
- Docusate ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Roxithromycin ›
- Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine ›
- Pegunigalsidase Alfa-iwxj ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Hexobarbitone ›
- Levothyroxine Sodium ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Levetiracetam ›
- Factor 7a ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Minoxidil ›
- Levodopa ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Cefaclor ›
- Phenylephrine ›
- Vancomycin ›
- Phentermine, Topiramate ›
- Hethylphenidate Hcl ›
- Dirithromycin ›
- Bentoquatam ›
- Procainamide ›
- Hydroxychloroquine ›
- Azelaic Acid ›
- Triptorelin ›
- Dextrothyroxine ›
- Pentobarbitone ›
- Lomustine ›
- Pizotifen ›
- Tocainide ›
- Rocuronium ›
- Succimer ›
- Telmisartan ›
- Mitomycin C ›
- Lorazepam ›
- Chenodiol ›
- Desflurane ›
- Metronidazole ›
- Famotidine ›
- Ranitidine ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,573 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Fo-ti list.
Sources & How We Checked
Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for vitamins, herbs and supplements — the basis for our interaction data.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for the medication overviews.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — Official supplement product labels.
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
Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen Is Linked to Lower Levels of One Nutrient
Natural Medicines records Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Fo-ti — it is a separate effect of the medicine, and it is a reason some people are advised to supplement rather than to avoid one:
Read the full Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen nutrient depletion report ›
Depletion records come from the licensed Natural Medicines database. Do not start a supplement on the strength of this page — ask your pharmacist or doctor whether it applies to you.
Taking Fo-ti and Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen Together: Common Questions
Can you take Fo-ti with Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen?
Why are there 4 interactions listed for Fo-ti and Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen?
How serious is the Fo-ti and Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen interaction?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Still Have a Question About Hydrocodone, Ibuprofen and Fo-ti?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
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.