Drug & supplement interaction

Neem + Metformin Hydrochloride

Metformin Hydrochloride brand name: Riomet ER.

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

Neem has a moderate interaction with Metformin Hydrochloride. Neem might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.

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

Neem and Metformin Hydrochloride

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

Moderate

ANTIDIABETES DRUGS

Why this applies to Metformin Hydrochloride

Metformin Hydrochloride falls under ANTIDIABETES DRUGS — the group Neem interacts with.

Neem might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Some clinical research shows that neem can lower blood glucose levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, including those already taking metformin.
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: neem on its own appears to nudge blood sugar downward, and metformin is already doing the same job. Stack them together and your glucose could dip lower than you expect. The signs to watch for are the classic low-blood-sugar ones, like feeling shaky, sweaty, dizzy, irritable, or suddenly very hungry. Metformin doesn't usually cause big drops by itself, but adding neem can tip the balance.

I want to be honest about the evidence though. Most of what we know comes from small studies and lab work, so it's a possible concern, not a guaranteed one. If you'd like to try neem, please loop in your pharmacist or doctor first and keep an eye on your readings.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Biswas K, Chattopadhyay I, Banerjee RK, Bandyopadhyay U. Biological activities and medicinal properties of neem (Azadirachta indica). Curr Sci 2002;82:1336-45.
  2. Pingali U, Ali MA, Gundagani S, Nutalapati C. Evaluation of the effect of an aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves and twigs on glycemic control, endothelial dysfunction and systemic inflammation in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus - a

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

Neem Also Interacts With Other Medications

Neem has 1,012 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Metformin Hydrochloride one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 1,012 No known interaction 1,818 (incl. Metformin Hydrochloride)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Neem

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Metformin Hydrochloride

This page covers Neem only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Metformin Hydrochloride page lists 257 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

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

By severity: 2 major · 217 moderate · 38 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Metformin Hydrochloride page

“Anyone taking metformin hydrochloride (Riomet ER) should treat this list with genuine care, because two of its 257 entries are rated major. Siberian cocklebur has caused severe hypoglycemia in people and should not be combined with metformin at all, and activated charcoal can adsorb the drug in the gut so less reaches your blood.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Metformin Hydrochloride interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 288 real supplement products containing Neem, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Neem. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Metformin Hydrochloride too, on top of Neem — 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 Neem and Metformin Hydrochloride 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 Neem
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Metformin Hydrochloride
Top 25%

#305 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 Neem

What is Neem?

Neem
  • Skin conditions
  • Dental and gum health
  • Antimicrobial and antiparasitic
  • Digestive upset
  • Blood sugar support
  • Insect repellent/pesticide

Neem is a tree from India used for centuries in traditional medicine, especially for skin, dental, and antimicrobial purposes. Some small studies are promising for oral health and skin, but high-quality human evidence is limited for most uses. Neem oil and seed extracts can be toxic if swallowed, especially in children, so use with caution and talk to your pharmacist or doctor first.

Read the full Neem monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Neem

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

0Major
1,012Moderate
0Minor
1,817No known interaction
1,012 Moderate 1,817 No interaction
Moderate

1,012 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,012 moderate interactions — see all 1,012 on the Neem page.

No interaction 1,817 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,817 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Neem list.

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

Can you take Neem with Metformin Hydrochloride?
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 Neem and Metformin Hydrochloride 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 Metformin Hydrochloride and Neem?

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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.