Drug & supplement interaction

Sage + Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol

Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol brand name: Lopressor HCT.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol falls into 2 drug categories that Sage can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, sage might increase or decrease the effects of antihypertensive drugs.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Sage and Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Sage interacts with whole categories of medication. Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Sage in 2 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS

1 of 2

Why this applies to Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol

Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol falls under ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS — the group Sage interacts with.

Theoretically, sage might increase or decrease the effects of antihypertensive drugs.
Animal research suggests that common sage (Salvia officinalis) can cause prolonged blood pressure reduction. However, clinical research suggests that Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia) can increase blood pressure in some people with hypertension. Until more is known, use with caution.
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

Your Lopressor HCT combines two blood pressure medicines: metoprolol (a beta-blocker that slows your heart and relaxes pressure) and hydrochlorothiazide (a water pill). Sage could nudge your blood pressure in either direction, so this is mostly a theoretical, watch-and-see situation.

Here's the honest part: the evidence is weak and comes from animal and lab studies, not solid human trials. One type of sage seemed to lower blood pressure, while another raised it in some people. If you stack a concentrated sage extract on top of your medicine, you might notice dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling unusually tired, or your numbers may run higher than expected. Sage as a kitchen seasoning is very unlikely to matter. Before using sage supplements regularly, check with your pharmacist or doctor.

References
  1. Todorov S, Philianos S, Petkov V, et al. Experimental pharmacological study of three species from genus Salvia. Acta Physiol Pharmacol (Bulg) 1984;10:13-20.
  2. Perry NS, Bollen C, Perry EK, Ballard C. Salvia for dementia therapy: review of pharmacological activity and pilot tolerability clinical trial. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2003;75:651-9.. PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES

2 of 2

Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, sage might increase the levels and clinical effects of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
In vitro evidence suggests that aqueous extracts of sage can inhibit CYP2D6. So far, this interaction 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

Your combo pill pairs a water pill (hydrochlorothiazide) with a beta blocker (metoprolol). The interaction here really centers on the metoprolol half. Your body relies on a liver enzyme called CYP2D6 to clear metoprolol, and lab studies suggest sage may slow that enzyme down a bit. In theory, that could let metoprolol build up and push its effects a little stronger, meaning your heart rate or blood pressure could dip lower than expected, or you might feel more tired, dizzy, or lightheaded.

The reassuring part: this is based only on test-tube research and has not actually shown up in people. Cooking with sage is no worry at all. If you take concentrated sage extracts or oil regularly, just mention it to your pharmacist or doctor so they can keep an eye on things.

References
  1. Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Hana J, et al. In vitro inhibition of human cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of marker substrates by natural products. Phytomedicine 2003;10:334-42.. PubMed
  2. Hellum BH, Nilsen OG. The in vitro inhibitory potential of trade herbal products on human CYP2D6-mediated metabolism and the influence of ethanol. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2007 Nov;101:350-8.

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

Sage Also Interacts With Other Medications

Sage has 1,295 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol 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 Sage

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol

This page covers Sage only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol page lists 276 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), American Mistletoe (major), Asarabacca (major) and Dolomite (major).

By severity: 11 major · 235 moderate · 30 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol page

“I would treat this list with genuine care. Lopressor HCT combines hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic, with metoprolol, a beta-blocker, and 276 supplement and herbal ingredients interact with the pair, 11 of them rated major.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 718 real supplement products containing Sage, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Sage. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol too, on top of Sage — 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 Sage and Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol 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 Sage
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol
Top 25%

#624 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 Sage

What is Sage?

Sage
  • Sore throat and mouth irritation
  • Digestive upset
  • Excessive sweating
  • Memory and thinking
  • Menopause symptoms (hot flashes)
  • General antioxidant support

Sage is a common kitchen herb that is generally safe in food amounts and is traditionally used for sore throats, digestion, sweating, and memory. Some early research is encouraging for sore throat and menopausal hot flashes, but most uses are not well proven. Concentrated extracts and the essential oil should be used carefully because high doses contain a compound called thujone, which can be harmful.

Read the full Sage monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Sage

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

0Major
1,295Moderate
0Minor
1,534No known interaction
Moderate

1,295 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,295 moderate interactions — see all 1,295 on the Sage page.

No interaction 1,534 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 Sage and Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol Together: Common Questions

Can you take Sage with Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol?
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 2 interactions listed for Sage and Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol?
Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol belongs to more than one drug category, and Sage 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 Sage and Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol 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

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