Drug & supplement interaction

Terminalia + Ibuprofen, Oxycodone

Ibuprofen, Oxycodone brand name: Combunox.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Ibuprofen, Oxycodone falls into 3 drug categories that Terminalia can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, use of Terminalia arjuna may increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2D6 substrates.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions3
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Terminalia and Ibuprofen, Oxycodone

These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Terminalia interacts with whole categories of medication. Ibuprofen, Oxycodone falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Terminalia in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES

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Why this applies to Ibuprofen, Oxycodone

Ibuprofen, Oxycodone falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES — the group Terminalia interacts with.

Theoretically, use of Terminalia arjuna may increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP2D6 substrates.
In vitro research shows that Terminalia arjuna extract inhibits CYP2D6 enzymes and reduces CYP2D6 substrate metabolism.
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

Combunox is a combination of ibuprofen and oxycodone. The piece that matters here is the oxycodone, which your liver partly converts using an enzyme called CYP2D6. Terminalia (especially Terminalia arjuna) has been shown in lab studies to slow that enzyme down. In theory, that could let a bit more oxycodone activity build up, meaning stronger opioid effects like extra drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, nausea, or slowed breathing if it stacked up too much.

Keep this in perspective: this concern comes only from test-tube research, not from people, so we honestly don't know how much it matters in real life. Still, since oxycodone is an opioid, it's worth a quick word with your pharmacist or doctor before pairing the two. Please don't change anything on your own.

References
  1. Varghese A, Savai J, Pandita N, Gaud RS. In vitro modulatory effects of Terminalia arjuna, arjunic acid, arjunetin, and arjungenin on CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and CYP2C9 enzyme activity in human liver microsomes. Toxicology Reports. 2015(2):806-16. PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

2 of 3

Ibuprofen, Oxycodone also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, use of Terminalia arjuna may increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research shows that Terminalia arjuna extract inhibits CYP3A4 enzymes and reduces CYP3A4 substrate metabolism.
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

Combunox combines ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory pain reliever) with oxycodone (an opioid). The oxycodone part is partly cleared by an enzyme called CYP3A4. In a lab setting, Terminalia arjuna has been shown to slow that enzyme down. In theory, blocking it could let oxycodone build up a bit more than usual, which might mean stronger effects like extra drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, constipation, or slowed breathing.

I want to be honest with you, though: this is based only on test-tube research, not real people taking both together. So it's more of a caution than a proven problem. Since this product contains an opioid, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before adding Terminalia. Please don't change anything on your own.

References
  1. Varghese A, Savai J, Pandita N, Gaud RS. In vitro modulatory effects of Terminalia arjuna, arjunic acid, arjunetin, and arjungenin on CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and CYP2C9 enzyme activity in human liver microsomes. Toxicology Reports. 2015(2):806-16. PubMed
Moderate

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS

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Ibuprofen, Oxycodone also falls under ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS.

Theoretically, concomitant use of Terminalia arjuna with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs may increase the risk of bleeding in some patients.
In vitro, Terminalia arjuna bark extract inhibits platelet aggregation, decreases platelet activation, and shows antithrombotic properties.
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

The product you're asking about combines ibuprofen (an anti-inflammatory) with oxycodone (an opioid pain reliever). The piece that matters here is the ibuprofen. Like other NSAIDs, ibuprofen can already thin the blood a little and irritate the stomach lining, which raises bleeding risk on its own.

Lab studies suggest Terminalia arjuna may also slow down platelets, the cells that help your blood clot. Stacking that on top of ibuprofen could, in theory, nudge your bleeding risk higher, think easier bruising, nosebleeds, or stomach upset. To be clear, this concern comes only from test-tube research, not human studies, so it's possible, not proven. Still, please check with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

References
  1. Malik N, Dhawan V, Bahl A, Kaul D. Inihbitory effects of Terminalia arjuna on platelet activation in vitro in healthy subjects and patients with coronary artery disease. Platelets. 2009;20(3):183-1190.

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

Terminalia Also Interacts With Other Medications

Terminalia has 932 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Ibuprofen, Oxycodone 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 Terminalia

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Ibuprofen, Oxycodone

This page covers Terminalia only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Ibuprofen, Oxycodone page lists 356 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: 1,4-butanediol (major), Activated Charcoal (major), Asarabacca (major), Beer (major) and Danshen (major).

By severity: 13 major · 303 moderate · 40 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Ibuprofen, Oxycodone page

“Combunox puts oxycodone, an opioid, together with the NSAID ibuprofen, and I want you to read this page carefully rather than skim it. Of the 356 supplements and herbs on file, 202 can raise your bleeding risk on top of what ibuprofen already does, and 78 can deepen the drowsiness and slowed breathing that come with oxycodone.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Ibuprofen, Oxycodone interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 306 real supplement products containing Terminalia, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Terminalia. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Ibuprofen, Oxycodone too, on top of Terminalia — 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 Terminalia and Ibuprofen, Oxycodone 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 Terminalia
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Ibuprofen, Oxycodone
Steady interest

#1,735 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 Terminalia

What is Terminalia?

Terminalia
  • Heart health and circulation
  • Digestive problems (constipation, diarrhea)
  • Cholesterol support
  • Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support
  • Immune support

Terminalia is a group of traditional Ayurvedic tree species (most notably Terminalia arjuna) used for heart, digestive, and general wellness purposes. Some small studies suggest possible benefits for heart and cholesterol health, but the evidence is limited and not strong enough to recommend it as a treatment. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you have a heart condition.

Read the full Terminalia monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Terminalia

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

0Major
932Moderate
0Minor
1,897No known interaction
Moderate

932 interactions

Showing 60 of 932 moderate interactions — see all 932 on the Terminalia page.

No interaction 1,897 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 Terminalia and Ibuprofen, Oxycodone Together: Common Questions

Can you take Terminalia with Ibuprofen, Oxycodone?
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 3 interactions listed for Terminalia and Ibuprofen, Oxycodone?
Ibuprofen, Oxycodone belongs to more than one drug category, and Terminalia 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 Terminalia and Ibuprofen, Oxycodone 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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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.