Drug & supplement interaction

Gotu Kola + Nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin brand names: Macrodantin, Furadantin, Furatoin, Macrobid.

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

Gotu Kola has a moderate interaction with Nitrofurantoin. Theoretically, taking gotu kola with hepatotoxic drugs might have additive adverse effects.

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

Gotu Kola and Nitrofurantoin

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

Moderate

HEPATOTOXIC DRUGS

Why this applies to Nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin falls under HEPATOTOXIC DRUGS — the group Gotu Kola interacts with.

Theoretically, taking gotu kola with hepatotoxic drugs might have additive adverse effects.
There are at least four case reports of hepatotoxicity associated with the use of gotu kola. However, more information is needed to determine if gotu kola was the causative factor in these cases.
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 nitrofurantoin and gotu kola: this isn't about the herb changing how your antibiotic works or how strong it is. Instead, the concern is that both can occasionally be hard on the liver. Nitrofurantoin, though uncommon, can cause liver inflammation, and there are a handful of case reports tying gotu kola to liver problems too. Stacking two things that may stress the liver could, in theory, add up.

I want to be honest about how thin this evidence is. It's based on a few anecdotal reports, not solid studies, so the real-world risk is likely low. Still, watch for yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine, belly pain, or unusual tiredness, and check with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Jorge OA, Jorge AD. Hepatotoxicity associated with the ingestion of Centella asiatica. Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2005;97:115-24. PubMed
  2. Dantuluri S, North-lewis P, Karthik SV. Gotu Kola induced hepatotoxicity in a child - need for caution with alternative remedies. Dig Liver Dis. 2011;43(6):500. 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

Gotu Kola Also Interacts With Other Medications

Gotu Kola has 578 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Nitrofurantoin one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 578 No known interaction 2,252 (incl. Nitrofurantoin)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Gotu Kola

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Gotu Kola or Nitrofurantoin

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Gotu Kola or Nitrofurantoin, 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 Nitrofurantoin

This page covers Gotu Kola only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Nitrofurantoin page lists 82 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 Ashwagandha (moderate).

By severity: 4 major · 68 moderate · 10 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Nitrofurantoin page

“Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid, Macrodantin) treats urinary tract infections and can strain the liver on its own, which is why this interaction list deserves genuine care rather than a glance. Of the 82 ingredients on file, 38 can add their own liver stress on top of the drug's, and three of the four major-rated entries fall in that group, i…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Nitrofurantoin interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 1,832 real supplement products containing Gotu Kola, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Gotu Kola. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Nitrofurantoin too, on top of Gotu Kola — 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 Gotu Kola and Nitrofurantoin 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 Gotu Kola
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Nitrofurantoin
Top half

#1,284 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 Gotu Kola

What is Gotu Kola?

Gotu Kola
  • Wound healing
  • Varicose veins and poor circulation
  • Anxiety and stress
  • Memory and mental clarity
  • Skin health and scarring

Gotu kola is a traditional Ayurvedic and Asian herb that people use for wound healing, circulation, skin problems, and as a calming or memory-supporting herb. Some early studies suggest possible benefits for vein health and skin, but the overall evidence is limited and not strong. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have liver problems.

Read the full Gotu Kola monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Nitrofurantoin

What Is Nitrofurantoin Used For?

Brand names: Macrodantin, Furadantin, Furatoin, Macrobid

Nitrofurantoin is used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by certain susceptible bacteria. The capsule forms (including Macrodantin) are indicated for UTIs due to susceptible strains of Escherichia coli, enterococci, Staphylococcus aureus, and certain strains of Klebsiella and Enterobacter species. Nitrofurantoin oral suspension (Furadantin) is indicated for adults and children 1 month of age and older for the same types of UTIs.

Nitrofurantoin is not used for kidney infections (pyelonephritis) or infections of the tissue around the kidney (perinephric abscesses). Because it works primarily in the urine and does not spread widely through body tissues, it may not fully clear the infection in some patients, and the UTI may return after treatment.

See full Nitrofurantoin drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Gotu Kola

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

0Major
578Moderate
0Minor
2,251No known interaction
578 Moderate 2,251 No interaction
Moderate

578 interactions

Showing 60 of 578 moderate interactions — see all 578 on the Gotu Kola page.

No interaction 2,251 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,251 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Gotu Kola list.

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

Can you take Gotu Kola with Nitrofurantoin?
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 Gotu Kola and Nitrofurantoin 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 Nitrofurantoin and Gotu Kola?

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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.