Fo-ti + Omeprazole
Omeprazole brand names: Prilosec, Zegerid, Losec.
Omeprazole falls into 3 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 CYP2C19.
Read the full interaction reportFo-ti and Omeprazole
These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 3 Interactions?
Fo-ti interacts with whole categories of medication. Omeprazole falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Fo-ti in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).
CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES
1 of 3Why this applies to Omeprazole
Omeprazole falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES — the group Fo-ti interacts with.
Animal and in vitro research suggests that fo-ti may inhibit CYP2C19. An in vitro study suggests that the degree of CYP2C19 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 gist: your body relies on a liver enzyme called CYP2C19 to break down omeprazole and clear it out. Lab and animal studies hint that Fo-ti, especially the raw root, may slow that enzyme down. If that happened in a person, omeprazole could build up a bit higher than usual. Omeprazole is already a pretty well-tolerated medicine, so this isn't something I'd lose sleep over. At most you might notice mild things like headache, nausea, gas, or a touch of diarrhea (the raw root can loosen the bowels on its own too).
I want to be honest with you: this interaction is only theoretical right now and hasn't actually been reported in people. Still, since Fo-ti has been tied to liver concerns, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before pairing the two.
- 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 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES
2 of 3Omeprazole 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.
Here's the short version on pairing Fo-ti with your omeprazole. Lab and animal studies hint that Fo-ti may slow down an enzyme called CYP2C9, which is one of the helpers your body uses to clear omeprazole. If that enzyme is blocked, omeprazole could build up a bit and act a little stronger. Omeprazole is generally well tolerated, so for most people that might just mean a slightly higher chance of mild things like headache, nausea, gas, or loose stools.
The important part: this has only been seen in test tubes and animals, never confirmed in people, so it's mostly theoretical. I wouldn't lose sleep over it, but since Fo-ti has its own liver-safety concerns, do mention it to 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 3Omeprazole 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.
Here's the gist: your body uses a liver enzyme called CYP3A4 to help break down omeprazole, and some lab tests hint that Fo-ti might slow that enzyme down a bit. If that happened, omeprazole could hang around longer than usual, which in theory might nudge up its effects and the chance of side effects like headache, nausea, gas, or loose stools. Omeprazole isn't a prodrug, so more enzyme blocking would mean more drug, not less.
The honest truth is that this is very shaky evidence. It comes only from cell and animal studies, the animal data don't even agree, and it has never been seen in real people. So I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Still, if you want to use Fo-ti, run it past your pharmacist or doctor first, mostly because Fo-ti itself has been tied to liver problems.
- 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
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 Omeprazole 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.
Questions About Fo-ti or Omeprazole
These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Fo-ti or Omeprazole, 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:
- Is Sea Moss Safe To Take With Omeprazole? ›
- Interaction Question: Omeprazole, Spironolactone And Phentermine ›
- Can You Take Zyrtec And Xyzal Together? ›
Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Omeprazole
This page covers Fo-ti only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Omeprazole page lists 174 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 · 121 moderate · 50 minor.
From our pharmacist’s overview on the Omeprazole page
“Omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid, Losec) is an acid reducer for heartburn, reflux, and ulcers, and because it sits on pharmacy shelves next to the vitamins, people tend to assume it mixes safely with anything. This list argues otherwise, and it warrants genuine care.”
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 Omeprazole 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 Omeprazole 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.
#199 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#56 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.
About Omeprazole
What Is Omeprazole Used For?
Brand names: Prilosec, Zegerid, Losec
Omeprazole is used to treat a range of conditions where stomach acid causes problems. These include heartburn and acid reflux (GERD), erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from acid), and stomach or duodenal ulcers. It can also be used alongside antibiotics to help get rid of an H. pylori infection — a bacteria that causes ulcers.
In more serious cases, omeprazole is used to manage conditions where the stomach produces far too much acid, such as pathologic hypersecretory conditions (rare medical disorders that cause extreme acid overproduction). It is approved for adults and children one year of age and older for GERD and erosive esophagitis.
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 ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Roxithromycin ›
- Levetiracetam ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Levothyroxine Sodium ›
- Phentermine, Topiramate ›
- Pegunigalsidase Alfa-iwxj ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Hexobarbitone ›
- Levodopa ›
- Factor 7a ›
- Hethylphenidate Hcl ›
- Bentoquatam ›
- Minoxidil ›
- Cefaclor ›
- Azelaic Acid ›
- Pizotifen ›
- Phenylephrine ›
- Ribavirin Aerosol ›
- Hydroxychloroquine ›
- Alglucosidase Alpha ›
- Procainamide ›
- Salbutamol Sulfate ›
- Flutemetamol F-18 ›
- Vancomycin ›
- Triptorelin ›
- Dirithromycin ›
- Telmisartan ›
- Rocuronium ›
- Pentobarbitone ›
- Tocainide ›
- Dextrothyroxine ›
- Ferric Derisomaltose ›
- Mitomycin C ›
- Chenodiol ›
- Lorazepam ›
- Digitoxin ›
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
Omeprazole Is Linked to Lower Levels of 9 Nutrients
Natural Medicines records Omeprazole 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 Omeprazole 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 Omeprazole Together: Common Questions
Can you take Fo-ti with Omeprazole?
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Fo-ti and Omeprazole?
How serious is the Fo-ti and Omeprazole interaction?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Still Have a Question About Omeprazole 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.