Drug & supplement interaction

Goldenseal + Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate

Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate brand name: Tritec.

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

Goldenseal has a moderate interaction with Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate. Theoretically, goldenseal might increase or decrease serum levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodProbable
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Goldenseal and Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate

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

Moderate

P-GLYCOPROTEIN SUBSTRATES

Why this applies to Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate

Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate falls under P-GLYCOPROTEIN SUBSTRATES — the group Goldenseal interacts with.

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase or decrease serum levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates.
There is conflicting evidence about the effect of goldenseal on P-gp. In vitro research suggests that berberine, a constituent of goldenseal, modestly inhibits P-gp efflux. Other evidence suggests that berberine induces P-gp. In healthy volunteers, goldenseal modestly increases peak levels of the P-gp substrate digoxin by about 14%. However, it does not seem to affect other pharmacokinetic parameters such as area under the curve (AUC). This suggests that goldenseal is not a potent inhibitor of P-gp-mediated drug efflux. Until more is known, goldenseal should be used cautiously with P-gp substrates.
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 gist for Tritec (ranitidine bismuth citrate). Goldenseal contains berberine, which can tug on a transporter called P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the same pump that helps move this medicine in and out of your cells. The lab data is honestly mixed: some studies show berberine slows that pump a little, others show it speeds it up. In real people, goldenseal nudged levels of a similar P-gp drug (digoxin) up by only about 14 percent, with no change in overall exposure, so it does not look like a strong effect.

Because this is mostly theoretical and modest, I wouldn't expect dramatic changes in heartburn relief or side effects like headache or constipation. Still, since the direction isn't certain, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before pairing them, especially with concentrated goldenseal supplements rather than small amounts.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Gurley BJ, Swain A, Barone GW, et al. Effect of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) and kava kava (Piper methysticum) supplementation on digoxin pharmacokinetics in humans. Drug Metab Dispos 2007;35:240-5. 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

Goldenseal Also Interacts With Other Medications

Goldenseal has 1,235 moderate, 1 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 1,235 Minor 1 No known interaction 1,594 (incl. Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Goldenseal

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Goldenseal or Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Goldenseal or Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate, 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 Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate

This page covers Goldenseal only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate page lists 73 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), St. John's Wort (major), African Wild Potato (moderate), Banderol (moderate) and Beer (moderate).

By severity: 2 major · 43 moderate · 28 minor.

Open the Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 1,726 real supplement products containing Goldenseal, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Goldenseal. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate too, on top of Goldenseal — 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 Goldenseal and Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate 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 Goldenseal
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate
Steady interest

#2,781 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 Goldenseal

What is Goldenseal?

Goldenseal
  • Digestive upset and diarrhea
  • Colds and respiratory infections
  • Sore throat and mouth sores
  • Skin and eye irritation (topical/traditional)
  • Antimicrobial support

Goldenseal is a popular North American herb that contains berberine, a compound studied for antimicrobial effects. However, strong human evidence for its many traditional uses is largely lacking, and it should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

Read the full Goldenseal monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Ranitidine

What Is Ranitidine Used For?

Brand name: Tritec

Ranitidine is used to treat several acid-related stomach and esophageal conditions. These include active duodenal ulcers (ulcers in the small intestine) and benign gastric ulcers (stomach ulcers), GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or chronic acid reflux), erosive esophagitis (irritation and damage to the esophagus from acid), and pathological hypersecretory conditions — rare disorders where the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and systemic mastocytosis. It is also used as maintenance therapy to keep ulcers and esophagitis from coming back after healing.

Over-the-counter products Acid Reducer and Wal-Zan tablets are specifically labeled to relieve heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach, and to prevent heartburn brought on by certain foods or beverages.

See full Ranitidine drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Goldenseal

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

0Major
1,235Moderate
1Minor
1,593No known interaction
1,235 Moderate 1 Minor 1,593 No interaction
Moderate

1,235 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,235 moderate interactions — see all 1,235 on the Goldenseal page.

Minor

1 interaction

No interaction 1,593 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,593 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Goldenseal list.

See the full Goldenseal interactions page
See every supplement checked against Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate, 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
Goldenseal monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate, ranked by severity Ranitidine 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 Goldenseal and Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate Together: Common Questions

Can you take Goldenseal with Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate?
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 Goldenseal and Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate 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 Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate and Goldenseal?

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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.