Drug & supplement interaction

Tomato + Ritonavir

Ritonavir brand name: Norvir.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 20, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Tomato and Ritonavir 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 Ritonavir 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

Tomato and Ritonavir

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 Ritonavir and Tomato 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 Tomato at all — not against Ritonavir, 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.

Tomato safety at a glance

Tomato overall Generally safe Tomato as a food is safe for most people; concentrated supplements are less studied.
Pregnancy Likely Safe When the tomato fruit or its products are consumed in typical food amounts. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of tomato extr... Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Likely Safe When the tomato fruit or its products are consumed in typical food amounts. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of tomato extr... 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 Ritonavir and Tomato? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Tomato and Ritonavir 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.

  • Diarrhea / Vomiting reported in 6.1% of FDA reports for Ritonavir Additional detail

    Tomato

    “Orally, tomato leaves and ripe or unripe tomato fruit are well tolerated in typical food amounts. Tomato extracts also seem to be well tolerated. Tomatine, a glycoalkaloid found in tomato leaves and unripe green tomatoes, can cause serious side effects when consumed in excessive amounts.

    Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):

    Orally: Bradycardia, diarrhea, respiratory disturbances, spasms, vomiting, and death with excessive…”

    Tomato · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    “Orally, the glycoalkaloid tomatine in tomato leaf or green tomatoes can cause severe mucous membrane irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, and colic when consumed in excessive amounts (18,102957).”

    Tomato · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    2 sources cited
    1. 18. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
    2. 102957. Friedman M. Tomato Glycoalkaloids: Role in the Plant and in the Diet. J Agric Food Chem. 2002;50(21):5751-80. PubMed

    Ritonavir

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Ritonavir, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Dizziness Additional detail

    Tomato

    “Orally, the glycoalkaloid tomatine in tomato leaf or green tomatoes can cause dizziness, stupor, headache, and mild spasms when consumed in excessive amounts (18,102957).”

    Tomato · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cluster headache.

    2 sources cited
    1. 18. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
    2. 102957. Friedman M. Tomato Glycoalkaloids: Role in the Plant and in the Diet. J Agric Food Chem. 2002;50(21):5751-80. PubMed

    Ritonavir

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

Reported for Tomato but not commonly for Ritonavir: a slow heartbeat and headache.

Effects for Ritonavir come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Tomato come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 94,062 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Ritonavir that mention that effect — a reporting proportion, not an incidence rate and not evidence the drug caused it. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Tomato in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy And Lactation Likely Safe

When the tomato fruit or its products are consumed in typical food amounts. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of tomato extracts when used during pregnancy or lactation; avoid using.

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 Ritonavir Products Have a Food Rule — Tomato Should Not Break It

At least one FDA label for a product containing Ritonavir says to take it with food. If you take Tomato on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate — and take Ritonavir 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 Ritonavir 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.

The bitter aftertaste of NORVIR oral powder may be lessened if administered with food.

From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Ritonavir — 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.

From our Q&A

Questions About Tomato or Ritonavir

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Tomato or Ritonavir, 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 Ritonavir

This page covers Tomato only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Ritonavir page lists 178 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Beer (major), Grapefruit (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major) and St. John's Wort (major).

By severity: 6 major · 136 moderate · 36 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Ritonavir page

“If you take ritonavir (Norvir), slow down before adding any supplement from this page. Six of the 178 ingredients here carry a major rating, and St.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Ritonavir interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 2,820 real supplement products containing Tomato, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Tomato. Even though Tomato itself has no known interaction with Ritonavir, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Tomato and Ritonavir 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 Tomato
Top 10%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Ritonavir
Steady interest

#2,068 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 Tomato reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Tomato and Ritonavir 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 Tomato

What is Tomato?

  • Heart health support
  • Prostate health
  • Antioxidant support
  • Skin protection from sun damage
  • General nutrition

Tomato is a common food rich in vitamins, potassium, and the antioxidant lycopene, and eating it as part of a balanced diet is healthy for most people. Concentrated tomato or lycopene supplements are marketed for heart and prostate health, but the evidence is mixed and far from proven. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using high-dose supplements, especially if you are pregnant or have a medical condition.

Solanum lycopersicum · Solanaceae · Fruit (and extracts such as lycopene from the fruit and skin) · Whole fruit, juice, paste, tomato extract capsules, lycopene supplements

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

Tomato: dosing

There is no official standardized dose of tomato or lycopene supplements, and a proven effective amount has not been established. Tomatoes are best enjoyed simply as part of a balanced diet.If you choose to use a tomato extract or lycopene supplement, follow the directions on the product label and do not exceed the recommended amount.

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

Read the full Tomato monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Ritonavir

What Is Ritonavir Used For?

Brand name: Norvir

Ritonavir (brand name Norvir) is used together with other HIV medicines to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and children older than one month of age. It is always taken as part of a combination regimen — never on its own.

Norvir oral powder is specifically indicated for pediatric patients with HIV-1 infection. Norvir tablets and oral solution are indicated for both adults and pediatric patients with HIV-1 infection. Ritonavir tablets (generic) are also indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in combination with other antiretroviral agents.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Ritonavir

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (94,560 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Covid-19 23,011 reports
Disease recurrence 20,169 reports
Dysgeusia 7,508 reports
Diarrhea 5,704 reports
Nausea 4,358 reports
See full Ritonavir drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Tomato

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Tomato — 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
2,829 No interaction
No interaction 2,829 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,829 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Tomato list.

See the full Tomato interactions page
See every supplement checked against Ritonavir, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Tomato References

The 3 references that drive our Tomato 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. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  2. Asero R, Mistrello G, Amato S. Airborne allergy to tomato proteins. Allergy. 2010;65(12):1626-7. PubMed
  3. Friedman M. Tomato Glycoalkaloids: Role in the Plant and in the Diet. J Agric Food Chem. 2002;50(21):5751-80. 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 Tomato and Ritonavir Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Tomato with Ritonavir?
We do not list a known interaction between Tomato and Ritonavir. 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 Tomato and Ritonavir have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 3 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 Tomato and Ritonavir at the same time of day?
At least one FDA label for a product containing Ritonavir says to take it with food. If you take Tomato on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate and take Ritonavir with a meal where the label says to. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient — two Ritonavir products can differ — so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.
Does Ritonavir interact with any supplements?
Yes. Ritonavir has documented interactions with 178 supplements in our database — Tomato is not one of them. The Ritonavir interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

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

Where next

Keep Exploring

Tomato monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Ritonavir drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Ritonavir supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Ritonavir, 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 References The 3 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Ritonavir and Tomato?

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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.