Drug & supplement interaction

Rhubarb + Gentamicin (IV)

Gentamicin (IV) brand name: Garamycin.

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

Rhubarb has a moderate interaction with Gentamicin (IV). Theoretically, long-term use of anthraquinones from rhubarb might increase the risk of nephrotoxicity when used with nephrotoxic drugs.

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

Rhubarb and Gentamicin (IV)

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

Moderate

NEPHROTOXIC DRUGS

Why this applies to Gentamicin (IV)

Gentamicin (IV) falls under NEPHROTOXIC DRUGS — the group Rhubarb interacts with.

Theoretically, long-term use of anthraquinones from rhubarb might increase the risk of nephrotoxicity when used with nephrotoxic drugs.
The anthraquinone constituents of rhubarb have been shown to induce nephrotoxicity in animal research. Additionally, in a case report, a 23-year old female presented with kidney failure after taking 6 tablets of a proprietary slimming agent (found to contain the anthraquinones emodin and aloe-emodin from rhubarb) daily for 6 weeks and then adding diclofenac 25 mg 4 times daily for 2 days. The authors postulate that the anthraquinone constituents of rhubarb contributed to the renal dysfunction, and the addition of diclofenac, a nephrotoxic drug, led to renal failure. Until more is known, advise patients to avoid taking rhubarb if they are taking other potentially nephrotoxic drugs.
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 concern with these two together. IV gentamicin is already one of those antibiotics we watch closely because it can be hard on the kidneys, especially with longer courses or higher doses. Rhubarb root contains compounds called anthraquinones, and in animal studies (plus one case report involving a similar drug), those compounds have been linked to kidney stress. The worry is that stacking two things that each tax the kidneys could add up.

To be clear, this is theoretical and based on weak evidence, not strong human data. Food amounts of rhubarb stalk are unlikely to matter, but concentrated rhubarb root supplements are the question mark. Since gentamicin is usually given in a hospital setting, please mention any rhubarb supplements to your care team or pharmacist so they can keep an eye on your kidney numbers.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Kwan TH, Tong MK, Leung KT, et al. Acute renal failure associated with prolonged intake of slimming pills containing anthraquinones. Hong Kong Med J 2006;12:394-7.
  2. Yan, M., Zhang, L. Y., Sun, L. X., Jiang, Z. Z., and Xiao, X. H. Nephrotoxicity study of total rhubarb anthraquinones on Sprague Dawley rats using DNA microarrays. J Ethnopharmacol. 4-15-2006; 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

Rhubarb Also Interacts With Other Medications

Rhubarb has 657 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Gentamicin (IV) one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 657 No known interaction 2,173 (incl. Gentamicin (IV))
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Rhubarb

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Rhubarb or Gentamicin (IV)

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Rhubarb or Gentamicin (IV), 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 Gentamicin (IV)

This page covers Rhubarb only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Gentamicin (IV) page lists 35 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Asarabacca (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Aristolochia (moderate), Bacillus Coagulans (moderate) and Bacillus Subtilis (moderate).

By severity: 2 major · 31 moderate · 2 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Gentamicin (IV) page

“Kidney protection is the reason this list deserves real attention. Gentamicin (Garamycin) is an IV antibiotic that can stress the kidneys on its own, and both of the major-rated entries among the 35 supplements on file share that same weakness.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Gentamicin (IV) interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 133 real supplement products containing Rhubarb, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Rhubarb. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Gentamicin (IV) too, on top of Rhubarb — 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 Rhubarb and Gentamicin (IV) 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 Rhubarb
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Gentamicin (IV)
Steady interest

#2,335 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 Rhubarb

What is Rhubarb?

Rhubarb
  • Constipation
  • Digestive upset
  • Menopausal symptoms
  • Kidney and liver conditions (traditional)
  • Pancreatitis (hospital/traditional use)

Rhubarb root has a long history of use as a laxative and in traditional Chinese medicine, and its edible stalks are a common food. Most medicinal claims are backed by limited or low-quality evidence, and the root can cause cramping and diarrhea. The leaves are toxic and should never be eaten, and rhubarb supplements are best avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Read the full Rhubarb monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Gentamicin Topical

What Is Gentamicin Topical Used For?

Brand name: Garamycin

Gentamicin sulfate topical is used to treat primary skin infections — infections that start directly in the skin — such as impetigo contagiosa, superficial folliculitis (infected hair follicles), furunculosis (boils), ecthyma, sycosis barbae, and pyoderma gangrenosum.

It also treats secondary skin infections, where bacteria have moved into already-irritated or damaged skin. This includes infected eczema, infected contact dermatitis (like poison ivy that gets infected), pustular acne, pustular psoriasis, infected seborrheic dermatitis, and bacterial infections on top of fungal or viral skin conditions. It has also been used successfully for infected stasis ulcers, infected superficial burns, infected insect bites and stings, infected lacerations and abrasions, paronychia (infected nail folds), and wounds from minor surgery.

See full Gentamicin Topical drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Rhubarb

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

0Major
657Moderate
0Minor
2,172No known interaction
657 Moderate 2,172 No interaction
Moderate

657 interactions

Showing 60 of 657 moderate interactions — see all 657 on the Rhubarb page.

No interaction 2,172 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,172 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Rhubarb list.

See the full Rhubarb interactions page
See every supplement checked against Gentamicin (IV), 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
Rhubarb monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Gentamicin (IV) supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Gentamicin (IV), ranked by severity Gentamicin Topical 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 Rhubarb and Gentamicin (IV) Together: Common Questions

Can you take Rhubarb with Gentamicin (IV)?
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 Rhubarb and Gentamicin (IV) 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 Gentamicin (IV) and Rhubarb?

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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.