Drug & supplement interaction

Glucomannan + Zidovudine

Zidovudine brand names: Retrovir, Retrovir Injection.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Glucomannan has a moderate interaction with Zidovudine. Theoretically, glucomannan may decrease absorption of drugs taken orally.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodProbable
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
Know someone taking this? Share
Facebook Post Reddit Email
On this page
Interaction report

Glucomannan and Zidovudine

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

ORAL DRUGS

Why this applies to Zidovudine

Zidovudine falls under ORAL DRUGS — the group Glucomannan interacts with.

Theoretically, glucomannan may decrease absorption of drugs taken orally.
Due to its viscosity and bulking effects, there is concern that glucomannan can decrease the absorption of oral drugs. A small clinical study in healthy volunteers shows that taking glyburide 2.5 mg plus glucomannan 3.9 grams with breakfast reduces plasma levels of glyburide when compared with breakfast and glyburide alone. In addition, animal research demonstrates this effect on amoxicillin, but shows increased absorption of metronidazole. This mouse model also demonstrates that metronidazole elimination is prolonged, but amoxicillin elimination is enhanced by 38%; glucomannan may also affect the distribution of some drugs. To avoid changes in absorption, take glucomannan 30-60 minutes after taking oral drugs.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence B

Interaction 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..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the concern with pairing glucomannan and your HIV medicine zidovudine (Retrovir). Glucomannan is a soluble fiber that turns into a thick gel in your gut. That gel can act like a sponge and slow or trap some of a pill before your body absorbs it. The worry is that less zidovudine gets into your bloodstream, which could weaken how well it keeps the virus in check. With HIV treatment, you really want steady, reliable drug levels, so this is worth taking seriously.

The good news is that timing usually solves it. A simple fix is to take your zidovudine first and wait at least 30 to 60 minutes before your glucomannan. Honestly, please run this by your pharmacist or doctor before combining them, so nothing gets in the way of your therapy working.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Shima K, Tanaka A, Ikegami H, et al. Effect of dietary fiber, glucomannan, on absorption of sulfonylurea in man. Horm Metab Res 1983;15:1-3. PubMed
  2. Zhang Y, Aldamarany WAS, Song G, et al. Influence of konjac glucomannan and its derivatives on the oral pharmacokinetics of antimicrobial agent in antibiotics cocktails: Keep vigilant on dietary fiber supplement. Int J Biol Macromol 2023;251:126306. 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

Glucomannan Also Interacts With Other Medications

Glucomannan has 2,021 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Zidovudine one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 2,021 No known interaction 809 (incl. Zidovudine)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Glucomannan

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Zidovudine

This page covers Glucomannan only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Zidovudine page lists 60 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Beer (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Wine (major) and African Wild Potato (moderate).

By severity: 4 major · 47 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Zidovudine page

“The liver is where the biggest danger on this page sits. Zidovudine (Retrovir), an HIV medicine that can strain the liver on its own, has 38 listed ingredients capable of piling on additional liver stress, led by Siberian cocklebur, a major-rated entry linked to actual liver failure.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Zidovudine interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 467 real supplement products containing Glucomannan, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Glucomannan. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Zidovudine too, on top of Glucomannan — 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 Glucomannan and Zidovudine 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 Glucomannan
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Zidovudine
Steady interest

#2,639 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 Glucomannan

What is Glucomannan?

Glucomannan
  • Weight loss and appetite control
  • Constipation
  • High cholesterol
  • Blood sugar support
  • Digestive health

Glucomannan is a soluble fiber from the konjac root that swells into a gel in your stomach, which may help with mild weight loss, constipation, and modestly lowering cholesterol. It is generally well tolerated when taken with plenty of water, but it must be taken carefully because it can swell and cause choking or blockage if not swallowed properly. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting it, especially if you have a health condition or take medicines.

Read the full Glucomannan monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Zidovudine

What Is Zidovudine Used For?

Brand names: Retrovir, Retrovir Injection

Zidovudine is used in combination with other antiretroviral medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and children. It is available as capsules, tablets, oral solution, and — as Retrovir injection — intravenously for patients who cannot take oral forms.

Retrovir (zidovudine) capsules, oral solution, and injection are also approved to help prevent HIV-1 from passing from a pregnant mother to her baby. This prevention regimen involves treating the mother before and during labor, and then treating the newborn after birth. In most cases, other antiretroviral medicines are used alongside zidovudine for this purpose.

See full Zidovudine drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Glucomannan

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

0Major
2,021Moderate
0Minor
808No known interaction
2,021 Moderate 808 No interaction
Moderate

2,021 interactions

Showing 60 of 2,021 moderate interactions — see all 2,021 on the Glucomannan page.

No interaction 808 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Glucomannan against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 808 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Glucomannan list.

See the full Glucomannan interactions page
See every supplement checked against Zidovudine, ranked by severity
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
Glucomannan monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Zidovudine supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Zidovudine, ranked by severity Zidovudine drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Glucomannan and Zidovudine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Glucomannan with Zidovudine?
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.
How serious is the Glucomannan and Zidovudine 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 Zidovudine and Glucomannan?

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.