Drug & supplement interaction

Tea Tree Oil + Cefaclor

Cefaclor brand names: Ceclor CD, Ceclor.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Tea Tree Oil and Cefaclor in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the label for Cefaclor states a food rule worth keeping to, and the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Tea Tree Oil and Cefaclor

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Cefaclor and Tea Tree Oil in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

Worth understanding: our licensed dataset holds no drug-interaction record for Tea Tree Oil at all — not against Cefaclor, and not against any other medication we track. This verdict therefore rests on the absence of any recorded data, not on research that looked at this combination and found nothing. We cannot rule an interaction out.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Tea Tree Oil safety at a glance

Tea Tree Oil overall Use caution Generally safe when used diluted on the skin, but it is toxic if swallowed.
Pregnancy Possibly Safe When used topically and appropriately. Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Possibly Safe When used topically and appropriately. Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Cefaclor and Tea Tree Oil? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Tea Tree Oil and Cefaclor May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do. 3 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Confusion Worth acting on Additional detail

    Tea Tree Oil

    “Orally, tea tree oil can cause or worsen systemic contact dermatitis. Topically, tea tree oil is usually well tolerated. However, it can cause allergic contact eczema and allergic contact dermatitis in some children and adults. Corticosteroids may be needed in some cases.

    In young children, ingestion of 10 mL or less of tea tree oil can cause significant ataxia, drowsiness, disorientation, and coma.”

    Tea Tree Oil · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in dermatitis.

    6 sources cited
    1. 4028. Carson CF, Riley TV, Cookson BD. Efficacy and safety of tea tree oil as a topical antimicrobial agent. J Hosp Infect 1998;40:175-8. PubMed
    2. 19168. De Groot A. C. and Weyland J. W. Systemic contact dermatitis from tea tree oil. Contact Dermatitis 1992;27(4):279-280. PubMed
    3. 658. De Groot AC. Airborn allergic contact dermatitis from tea tree oil. Contact Dermatitis 1996;35:304-5.
    4. 4027. Rubel DM, Freeman S, Southwell IA. Tea tree oil allergy: what is the offending agent? Report of three cases of tea tree oil allergy and review of the literature. Australas J Dermatol 1998;39:244-7. PubMed
    5. 4029. Bhushan M, Beck MH. Allergic contact dermatitis from tea tree oil in a wart paint. Contact Dermatitis 1997;36:117-8. PubMed
    6. 10015. Knight TE, Hausen BM. Melaleuca oil (tea tree oil) dermatitis. J Am Acad Dermatol 1994;30:423-7.. PubMed

    Cefaclor

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Cefaclor. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • A higher chance of infection Worth acting on Additional detail

    Tea Tree Oil

    “There is some concern that topical use of tea tree oil in the middle ear for treatment of ear infections might cause ototoxicity. There is preliminary evidence from animal research that preparations of pure tea tree oil can cause ototoxicity and impaired hearing. However, so far there are no reports of ototoxicity in humans.”

    Tea Tree Oil · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in drug-induced hearing loss.

    1 source cited
    1. 7025. Zhang SY, Robertson D. A study of tea tree oil ototoxicity. Audiol Neurootol 2000;5:64-8. PubMed

    Cefaclor

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Cefaclor. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • An allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail

    Tea Tree Oil

    “Orally, tea tree oil can cause significant toxicity and should not be used. Topically, tea tree oil is generally well tolerated.

    Most Common Adverse Effects:

    Topically: Allergic reactions, burning, dryness, irritation, pruritus, redness, and stinging.”

    Tea Tree Oil · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in pruritus.

    Cefaclor

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Cefaclor. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Drowsiness Additional detail

    Tea Tree Oil

    Recorded for Tea Tree Oil in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Confusion above.

    Cefaclor

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Cefaclor. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Itching Additional detail

    Tea Tree Oil

    “Ingestion of as little as 2.5 mL of tea tree oil can cause petechial body rash. It can take up to a week for symptoms to resolve.

    Topically, tea tree oil is usually well tolerated. However, it can cause local irritation and inflammation in some patients. Treatment with topical corticosteroids may be needed in some cases. Severe allergic contact dermatitis has also been reported.”

    Tea Tree Oil · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in acne.

    6 sources cited
    1. 10011. Elliott C. Tea tree oil poisoning. Med J Aust 1993;159:830-1. PubMed
    2. 10033. Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS. Treatment of interdigital tinea pedis with 25% and 50% tea tree oil solution: a randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study. Australas J Dermatol 2002;43:175-8.. PubMed
    3. 13713. Martin KW, Ernst E. Herbal medicines for treatment of fungal infections: a systematic review of controlled clinical trials. Mycoses 2004;47:87-92. PubMed
    4. 19176. Enshaieh S, Jooya A, Siadat AH, and Iraji F. The efficacy of 5% topical tea tree oil gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2007;73(1):22-25. PubMed
    5. 91442. Christoffers WA, Blömeke B, Coenraads PJ, Schuttelaar ML. Co-sensitization to ascaridole and tea tree oil. Contact Dermatitis. 2013 Sep;69(3):187-9. PubMed
    6. 91443. Corazza M, Borghi A, Gallo R, Schena D, Pigatto P, Lauriola MM, Guarneri F, Stingeni L, Vincenzi C, Foti C, Virgili A. Topical botanically derived products: use, skin reactions, and usefulness of patch tests. A multicentre Italian study. Contact Dermatiti

    Cefaclor

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Cefaclor. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • A skin rash Additional detail

    Tea Tree Oil

    Recorded for Tea Tree Oil in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Itching above.

    Cefaclor

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Cefaclor. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Tea Tree Oil but not commonly for Cefaclor: hearing loss, dry skin, unsteadiness and acne.

Effects for Cefaclor come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Tea Tree Oil come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Tea Tree Oil in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy And Lactation Possibly Safe

When used topically and appropriately.

Pregnancy And Lactation Likely Unsafe

When used orally. Ingestion of tea tree oil can be toxic.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

How to take them

Some Cefaclor Products Have a Food Rule — Tea Tree Oil Should Not Break It

At least one FDA label for a product containing Cefaclor says to take it with food. If you take Tea Tree Oil on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate — and take Cefaclor with a meal where the label says to.

This may not be true of your version. Food instructions belong to the product, not the ingredient: two Cefaclor products can carry different directions, and extended-release forms often differ from immediate-release ones. The label we read is quoted below — check the directions on your own box or bottle, or ask your pharmacist, for how to take the exact product you were given.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The absorption of cefaclor extended-release tablets is enhanced when it is administered with food.

From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Cefaclor — where that label names a specific product, the instruction is that product's. Read the label on DailyMed ›

A food rule is not an interaction — it is about how much of the medicine you absorb. The directions that came with your own product, and your pharmacist, outrank anything on this page.

Overlapping uses

What Cefaclor Is Prescribed For, and What Tea Tree Oil Has Been Studied For

These two come up together because they touch the same health topic — not because they do the same job. Cefaclor is a prescription medicine with approved uses on its FDA label. Tea Tree Oil is a supplement: what follows is what researchers have looked at it for, and how strong that evidence is.

Cefaclor is prescribed for: Cefaclor treats a range of bacterial infections. The capsule and oral suspension forms are used for ear infections (otitis media), lower respiratory tract infections including pneumonia, strep throat and tonsillitis, urinary tract infections (including kidney infections and bladder infections), and skin and skin structure infections. The extended-release tablet form of Cefaclor is approved for a narrower set of uses: acute bacterial flare-ups of chronic bronchitis, strep throat and tonsillitis, and uncomplicated skin infections. Not all infections approved for the capsule or suspension are approved for the extended-release tablet — your prescriber will choose the right form for your infection.

Tea Tree Oil has been studied for:

  • Otitis media studied, not established Tea Tree Oil has been studied for this. Natural Medicines rates the evidence: Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Read what the research shows

    Tea Tree Oil for otitis media

    Although there is interest in using tea tree oil in the ear for otitis media, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of tea tree oil for this condition.

Effectiveness ratings and the research summaries above are the verbatim record from the Natural Medicines database, which grades evidence from “Effective” down to “Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate”. A rating below the top of that scale means researchers have looked at it — not that it works, and never that it can stand in for a prescribed medicine. Do not stop or replace Cefaclor on your own; if you are taking Tea Tree Oil for the same health topic, tell your prescriber, especially if the medicine is being adjusted to a target.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Cefaclor

This page covers Tea Tree Oil only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Cefaclor page lists 60 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

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

By severity: 3 major · 46 moderate · 11 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Cefaclor page

“The entries worth understanding before any others on this cefaclor (Ceclor) page are the kidney risks and charcoal. Cefaclor is a cephalosporin antibiotic, typically a short course for ear, sinus, throat, or skin infections, and two herbs here, Siberian cocklebur and asarabacca, can damage the kidneys on their own, so pairing either wi…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Cefaclor interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Tea Tree Oil and Cefaclor 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 Tea Tree Oil
Steady interest

#1,385 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Cefaclor
Top 10%

#245 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.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Tea Tree Oil reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified October 4, 2026. The Tea Tree Oil and Cefaclor records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Tea Tree Oil

What is Tea Tree Oil?

Tea Tree Oil
  • Acne
  • Fungal skin infections (athlete's foot, nail fungus)
  • Dandruff
  • Minor wounds and insect bites
  • Lice

Tea tree oil is an essential oil used on the skin for acne, fungal infections, and other skin problems, with some supportive but limited evidence. It is for topical use only and should never be swallowed, as it can be toxic. Always dilute it, do a patch test first, and check with your pharmacist or doctor before using.

Melaleuca alternifolia · Myrtaceae · Leaves and twigs (steam-distilled into essential oil) · Essential oil, creams, gels, ointments, soaps, shampoos, mouthwash

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Tea Tree Oil is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Tea Tree Oil record says about it on its own.

Tea Tree Oil: dosing

There is no official standardized dose for tea tree oil. Many skin products contain it at low concentrations, often diluted to a small percentage of the total product.The safest approach is to follow the directions on the product label and not apply more or more often than directed. If you are using pure essential oil, dilute it with a carrier oil before use. Never take it by mouth.

From our Tea Tree Oil monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Tea Tree Oil monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Cefaclor

What Is Cefaclor Used For?

Brand names: Ceclor CD, Ceclor

Cefaclor treats a range of bacterial infections. The capsule and oral suspension forms are used for ear infections (otitis media), lower respiratory tract infections including pneumonia, strep throat and tonsillitis, urinary tract infections (including kidney infections and bladder infections), and skin and skin structure infections.

The extended-release tablet form of Cefaclor is approved for a narrower set of uses: acute bacterial flare-ups of chronic bronchitis, strep throat and tonsillitis, and uncomplicated skin infections. Not all infections approved for the capsule or suspension are approved for the extended-release tablet — your prescriber will choose the right form for your infection.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Cefaclor

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (1,535 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Drug hypersensitivity 252 reports
Nausea 159 reports
Vomiting 159 reports
Fatigue 137 reports
Fever 121 reports
See full Cefaclor drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Tea Tree Oil

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

0Major
0Moderate
0Minor
2,829No known interaction
No interaction 2,829 drugs checked — show the list
Evidence & sources

Tea Tree Oil References

The 31 references that drive our Tea Tree Oil monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Robbers JE, Tyler VE. Tyler's Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York, NY: The Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.
  2. Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal, 4th ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1999. DOI
  3. De Groot AC. Airborn allergic contact dermatitis from tea tree oil. Contact Dermatitis 1996;35:304-5.
  4. Rubel DM, Freeman S, Southwell IA. Tea tree oil allergy: what is the offending agent? Report of three cases of tea tree oil allergy and review of the literature. Australas J Dermatol 1998;39:244-7. PubMed
  5. Carson CF, Riley TV, Cookson BD. Efficacy and safety of tea tree oil as a topical antimicrobial agent. J Hosp Infect 1998;40:175-8. PubMed
  6. Bhushan M, Beck MH. Allergic contact dermatitis from tea tree oil in a wart paint. Contact Dermatitis 1997;36:117-8. PubMed
  7. Del Beccaro MA. Melaleuca oil poisoning in a 17-month-old. Vet Hum Toxicol 1995;37:557-8.
  8. Jandourek A, Vaishampayan JK, Vazquez JA. Efficacy of melaleuca oral solution for the treatment of fluconazole refractory oral candidiasis in AIDS patients. AIDS 1998;12:1033-7. DOI
  9. Zhang SY, Robertson D. A study of tea tree oil ototoxicity. Audiol Neurootol 2000;5:64-8. PubMed
  10. Bassett IB, Pannowitz DL, Barnetson RS. A comparative study of tea-tree oil versus benzoylperoxide in the treatment of acne. Med J Aust 1990;153:455-8. PubMed
  11. Jacobs MR, Hornfeldt CS. Melaleuca oil poisoning. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1994;32:461-4.. PubMed
  12. Elliott C. Tea tree oil poisoning. Med J Aust 1993;159:830-1. PubMed
  13. Knight TE, Hausen BM. Melaleuca oil (tea tree oil) dermatitis. J Am Acad Dermatol 1994;30:423-7.. PubMed
  14. Bruynzeel DP. Contact dermatitis due to tea tree oil. Trop Med Int Health 1999;4:630.
  15. Greig JE, Thoo SL, Carson CF, Riley TV. Allergic contact dermatitis following use of a tea tree oil hand-wash not due to tea tree oil. Contact Dermatitis 1999;41:354-5. PubMed

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Tea Tree Oil and Cefaclor Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Tea Tree Oil with Cefaclor?
We do not list a known interaction between Tea Tree Oil and Cefaclor. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Tea Tree Oil and Cefaclor have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 6 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
Should I take Tea Tree Oil and Cefaclor at the same time of day?
At least one FDA label for a product containing Cefaclor says to take it with food. If you take Tea Tree Oil on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate and take Cefaclor with a meal where the label says to. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient — two Cefaclor products can differ — so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.
Are Tea Tree Oil and Cefaclor used for the same thing?
They overlap in purpose, which usually means the real question is whether you need both rather than whether they are safe together. This page lists the shared uses and how strong the evidence is for Tea Tree Oil in each. That is a conversation for your prescriber, especially if Cefaclor is being adjusted to a target.
Does Cefaclor interact with any supplements?
Yes. Cefaclor has documented interactions with 60 supplements in our database — Tea Tree Oil is not one of them. The Cefaclor interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Cefaclor and Tea Tree Oil?

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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.