Drug & supplement interaction

Goji + Omeprazole

Omeprazole brand names: Prilosec, Zegerid, Losec.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Omeprazole falls into 3 drug categories that Goji can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, goji berry might inhibit CYP2C19 and reduce metabolism of CYP2C19 substrates.

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

Goji and Omeprazole

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

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Goji interacts with whole categories of medication. Omeprazole falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Goji 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 Omeprazole

Omeprazole falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES — the group Goji interacts with.

Theoretically, goji berry might inhibit CYP2C19 and reduce metabolism of CYP2C19 substrates.
In vitro research shows that goji berry tincture and juice inhibit CYP2C19 enzymes. Concomitant use with goji may decrease metabolism and increase levels of CYP2C19 substrates. However, 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: your body relies on a liver enzyme called CYP2C19 to break down omeprazole. In lab studies, goji berry appears to slow that same enzyme down. If goji blocks it in real life, omeprazole could clear out of your body a bit more slowly and build up to slightly higher levels. For most people that just means a touch more of omeprazole's usual effect, and side effects like headache, nausea, or stomach upset would be the things to watch for.

The big caveat: this is only seen in test-tube research, never confirmed in actual people, so I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Everyday goji in food is unlikely to matter. If you're taking concentrated goji supplements, just mention it to your pharmacist or doctor first.

References
  1. Liu R, Tam TW, Mao J, et al. In vitro activity of Lycium barbarum (Goji) against major human phase I metabolism enzymes. Complement Integr Med. 2016;13(3):257-265.
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES

2 of 3

Omeprazole also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, goji berry might inhibit CYP2C9 and reduce metabolism of CYP2C9 substrates.
In vitro research shows that goji berry tincture and juice inhibit CYP2C9 enzymes. Additionally, multiple case reports suggest that goji berry concentrated tea and juice inhibit the metabolism of warfarin, a CYP2C9 substrate. Concomitant use with goji may decrease metabolism and increase levels of CYP2C9 substrates.
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 with goji and your omeprazole. Goji berry may gently block a liver enzyme called CYP2C9, which is one of the pathways that helps clear omeprazole from your body. If that pathway slows down, a bit more omeprazole could hang around than usual. In theory, that might mean slightly stronger acid-lowering effects, or a small bump in side effects like headache, nausea, or stomach upset.

I want to keep this in perspective, though. The evidence here is weak, mostly lab studies and a few reports tied to warfarin (a much more sensitive drug), not omeprazole itself. Eating goji berries as a food is unlikely to cause trouble. If you're using concentrated goji juice, tea, or capsules daily, just mention it to your pharmacist or doctor so they can keep an eye on things.

References
  1. Lam AY, Elmer GW, Mohutsky MA. Possible interaction between warfarin and Lycium Barbarum. Ann Pharmacother 2001;35:1199-201.
  2. Guzmán CE, Guzmán-Moreno CG, Assad-Morell JL, Edgar Francisco Carrizales-Sepúlveda EF. Flecainide toxicity associated with the use of goji berries: a case report. Eur Heart J Case Rep. 2021;5(6):ytab204. PubMed
  3. Liu R, Tam TW, Mao J, et al. In vitro activity of Lycium barbarum (Goji) against major human phase I metabolism enzymes. Complement Integr Med. 2016;13(3):257-265.
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

3 of 3

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

Theoretically, goji berry might inhibit CYP3A4 and reduce metabolism of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research shows that goji berry juice inhibits CYP3A4 enzymes. Concomitant use with goji may decrease metabolism and increase levels of CYP3A4 substrates. However, 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 with goji and your omeprazole. Goji berry has been shown in test tube studies to slow down an enzyme called CYP3A4, which is one of the pathways your body uses to clear omeprazole. If that pathway is blocked, omeprazole could hang around a little longer and build up. In theory, that might mean stronger effects or a few more side effects like headache, nausea, gas, or loose stools.

The important part: this has only been seen in lab studies, never actually reported in people, so it's more of a 'good to know' than a real worry. Eating goji berries as food is very unlikely to matter. If you're using concentrated goji supplements daily, just mention it to your pharmacist or doctor so they can keep an eye on things.

References
  1. Liu R, Tam TW, Mao J, et al. In vitro activity of Lycium barbarum (Goji) against major human phase I metabolism enzymes. Complement Integr Med. 2016;13(3):257-265.

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

Goji Also Interacts With Other Medications

Goji has 2 major, 929 moderate, 68 minor 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.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Goji

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Goji 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 Goji 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:

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 Omeprazole

This page covers Goji 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

Open the Omeprazole interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 1,738 real supplement products containing Goji, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Goji. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Omeprazole too, on top of Goji — 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 Goji 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.

Supplement Goji
Top 10%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Omeprazole
Top 5%

#44 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 Goji

What is Goji?

Goji
  • General antioxidant support
  • Eye health
  • Immune support
  • Anti-aging and well-being
  • Blood sugar support

Goji berries are a nutritious fruit rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and plant polysaccharides, and they are safe for most people as a food. While they are popular for eye health, immune support, and general wellness, strong human evidence for most health claims is limited. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using concentrated goji supplements, especially if you take medications or are pregnant.

Read the full Goji monograph & all interactions
Medication

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.

See full Omeprazole drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Goji

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

2Major
929Moderate
68Minor
1,830No known interaction
Major

2 interactions

Moderate

929 interactions

Showing 60 of 929 moderate interactions — see all 929 on the Goji page.

Minor

68 interactions

Showing 60 of 68 minor interactions — see all 68 on the Goji page.

No interaction 1,830 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 Goji and Omeprazole Together: Common Questions

Can you take Goji with Omeprazole?
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 Goji and Omeprazole?
Omeprazole belongs to more than one drug category, and Goji 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 Goji and Omeprazole 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 Omeprazole and Goji?

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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.