Drug & supplement interaction

Tree Tobacco + Hydroxychloroquine

Hydroxychloroquine brand name: Plaquenil.

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 Tree Tobacco and Hydroxychloroquine 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 Hydroxychloroquine 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

Tree Tobacco and Hydroxychloroquine

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 Hydroxychloroquine and Tree Tobacco 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 Tree Tobacco at all — not against Hydroxychloroquine, 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.

Tree Tobacco safety at a glance

Tree Tobacco overall Avoid Tree tobacco is toxic and has caused serious poisonings and deaths when eaten.
Pregnancy Likely Unsafe When tree tobacco is used orally. Tree tobacco contains anabasine, which is poisonous and teratogenic. Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Likely Unsafe When tree tobacco is used orally. Tree tobacco contains anabasine, which is poisonous and teratogenic. 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 Hydroxychloroquine and Tree Tobacco? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Tree Tobacco and Hydroxychloroquine 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. 5 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Muscle weakness / Hallucinations Worth acting on Additional detail

    Tree Tobacco

    “Orally, tree tobacco is generally regarded as unsafe for use. Any benefits of therapy may not outweigh the risk of toxicity. Tree tobacco can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, muscle weakness and paralysis, respiratory distress, and neurological symptoms including vertigo, confusion, fatigue, headache, hallucinations, spasms, weakness, and coma.”

    Tree Tobacco · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ards).

    6 sources cited
    1. 28735. Mizrachi, N., Levy, S., and Goren, Z. Q. Fatal poisoning from Nicotiana glauca leaves: identification of anabasine by gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry. J Forensic Sci 2000;45(3):736-741. DOI
    2. 28736. Mellick, L. B., Makowski, T., Mellick, G. A., and Borger, R. Neuromuscular blockade after ingestion of tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca). Ann Emerg Med 1999;34(1):101-104. PubMed
    3. 28737. Sims, D. N., James, R., and Christensen, T. Another death due to ingestion of Nicotiana glauca. J Forensic Sci 1999;44(2):447-449.
    4. 28738. Castorena, J. L., Garriott, J. C., Barnhardt, F. E., and Shaw, R. F. A fatal poisoning from Nicotiana glauca. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1987;25(5):429-435.
    5. 28739. Manoguerra, A. S. and Freeman, D. Acute poisoning from the ingestion of Nicotiana glauca. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1982;19(8):861-864.
    6. 98622. Bardas SL. Short-term intubation after ingestion of Nicotiana glauca. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2011;68(18):1678-9.

    Hydroxychloroquine

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

  • Confusion Worth acting on Additional detail

    Tree Tobacco

    “Orally, tree tobacco has been reported to cause vertigo, confusion, fatigue, headache, photophobia, spasms, tingling, severe sweating, progressively worsening aphasia, neuromuscular blockage, seizures, coma, and bulbar palsy. Dizziness and confusion tend to occur early, within 4 hours of consumption. Weakness, coma, and paralysis occur later.”

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

    4 sources cited
    1. 28734. Steenkamp, P. A., van Heerden, F. R., and van Wyk, B. E. Accidental fatal poisoning by Nicotiana glauca: identification of anabasine by high performance liquid chromatography/photodiode array/mass spectrometry. Forensic Sci Int 2002;127(3):208-217. PubMed
    2. 98622. Bardas SL. Short-term intubation after ingestion of Nicotiana glauca. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2011;68(18):1678-9.
    3. 98623. Sercan Y, Selahattin KG. Respiratory failure due to plant poisoning: Nicotiana glauca Graham. J Emerg Med. 2018;55(3):e61-e63. PubMed
    4. 106641. Kear BM, Lee RW, Church SB, Youssef FA, Arguija A. Ingestion of a common plant's leaves leads to acute respiratory arrest and paralysis: a case report. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med 2020;4(3):371-4. PubMed

    Hydroxychloroquine

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

  • Seizures Worth acting on Additional detail

    Tree Tobacco

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

    Hydroxychloroquine

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

  • Raised blood pressure Worth acting on Additional detail

    Tree Tobacco

    “Orally, tree tobacco has been reported to cause hypertension, hypotension, bradycardia, tachycardia, and asystole. Hypertension tends to occur early, within 4 hours of consumption.”

    Tree Tobacco · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in hypertension.

    3 sources cited
    1. 28735. Mizrachi, N., Levy, S., and Goren, Z. Q. Fatal poisoning from Nicotiana glauca leaves: identification of anabasine by gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry. J Forensic Sci 2000;45(3):736-741. DOI
    2. 98623. Sercan Y, Selahattin KG. Respiratory failure due to plant poisoning: Nicotiana glauca Graham. J Emerg Med. 2018;55(3):e61-e63. PubMed
    3. 106641. Kear BM, Lee RW, Church SB, Youssef FA, Arguija A. Ingestion of a common plant's leaves leads to acute respiratory arrest and paralysis: a case report. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med 2020;4(3):371-4. PubMed

    Hydroxychloroquine

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

  • A fast or pounding heartbeat Additional detail

    Tree Tobacco

    Recorded for Tree Tobacco in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Raised blood pressure above.

    Hydroxychloroquine

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

  • Stomach pain / Diarrhea Additional detail

    Tree Tobacco

    “Orally, tree tobacco has been reported to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth, salivation, and abdominal pain. Nausea and vomiting tend to occur early, within 4 hours of consumption.”

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

    5 sources cited
    1. 28734. Steenkamp, P. A., van Heerden, F. R., and van Wyk, B. E. Accidental fatal poisoning by Nicotiana glauca: identification of anabasine by high performance liquid chromatography/photodiode array/mass spectrometry. Forensic Sci Int 2002;127(3):208-217. PubMed
    2. 28736. Mellick, L. B., Makowski, T., Mellick, G. A., and Borger, R. Neuromuscular blockade after ingestion of tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca). Ann Emerg Med 1999;34(1):101-104. PubMed
    3. 98622. Bardas SL. Short-term intubation after ingestion of Nicotiana glauca. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2011;68(18):1678-9.
    4. 98623. Sercan Y, Selahattin KG. Respiratory failure due to plant poisoning: Nicotiana glauca Graham. J Emerg Med. 2018;55(3):e61-e63. PubMed
    5. 106641. Kear BM, Lee RW, Church SB, Youssef FA, Arguija A. Ingestion of a common plant's leaves leads to acute respiratory arrest and paralysis: a case report. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med 2020;4(3):371-4. PubMed

    Hydroxychloroquine

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

  • Tiredness / Dizziness Additional detail

    Tree Tobacco

    Recorded for Tree Tobacco in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Muscle weakness / Hallucinations above.

    Hydroxychloroquine

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

Showing the 10 most notable of 13 shared effects — ranked by how unusual each one is, not just whether both lists mention it.

Reported for Tree Tobacco but not commonly for Hydroxychloroquine: shortness of breath, a slow heartbeat, low blood pressure and dry mouth.

Effects for Hydroxychloroquine come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Tree Tobacco 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

Tree Tobacco in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy And Lactation Likely Unsafe

When tree tobacco is used orally. Tree tobacco contains anabasine, which is poisonous and teratogenic.

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 Hydroxychloroquine Products Have a Food Rule — Tree Tobacco Should Not Break It

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

Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults ( 2.3 ): Initial dosage: 400 mg to 600 mg daily Chronic dosage: 200 mg once daily or 400 mg once daily (or in two divided doses) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Adults ( 2.4 ): 200 mg once daily or 400 mg once daily (or in two divided doses) Chronic Discoid Lupus Erythematosus in Adults ( 2.5 ): 200 mg once daily or 400 mg once daily (or in two divided doses) 2.1 Imp

From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Hydroxychloroquine — 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 Tree Tobacco or Hydroxychloroquine

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

This page covers Tree Tobacco only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Hydroxychloroquine page lists 32 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), Arsenic (major), Cesium (major) and Ephedra (major).

By severity: 7 major · 16 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Hydroxychloroquine page

“Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) can stretch the QT interval on its own, the pause between heartbeats that, prolonged too far, can trigger a dangerous rhythm. Thirteen of the supplements and herbs on this page add to that same effect, grapefruit in large amounts among them, and that overlap is why this list calls for genuine care rather…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Hydroxychloroquine interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Tree Tobacco and Hydroxychloroquine 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 Tree Tobacco
Steady interest

#1,387 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Hydroxychloroquine
Top 25%

#438 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 Tree Tobacco reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Tree Tobacco and Hydroxychloroquine 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 Tree Tobacco

What is Tree Tobacco?

  • Topical use on wounds or sores (folk use)
  • Joint and muscle pain (folk use)
  • Headache relief (traditional poultice)
  • Insect or pest control

Tree tobacco is a poisonous shrub that contains the toxic alkaloid anabasine, and it is not a safe dietary supplement. There is no reliable evidence that it treats any condition, and swallowing it can cause severe poisoning or death. We strongly recommend avoiding internal use entirely.

Nicotiana glauca · Solanaceae · Leaves · Crushed leaves, poultices, traditional topical preparations

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

Tree Tobacco: dosing

There is no safe or established dose for tree tobacco. It is not sold or recommended as a standardized dietary supplement, and no amount is known to be safe to swallow.Because of its toxicity, we recommend avoiding it entirely.

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

Read the full Tree Tobacco monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Hydroxychloroquine

What Is Hydroxychloroquine Used For?

Brand name: Plaquenil

Hydroxychloroquine tablets are used to treat uncomplicated malaria and to help prevent malaria in areas where the parasite has not developed resistance to it — in both adults and children. It is also used in adults to treat rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and chronic discoid lupus erythematosus.

There are important limits: it is not recommended for complicated or drug-resistant malaria, malaria acquired in regions where resistance is known, or to prevent malaria relapses caused by P. vivax or P. ovale. Its use for the autoimmune conditions (rheumatoid arthritis and lupus) is approved for adults only.

See full Hydroxychloroquine drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Tree Tobacco

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Tree Tobacco — 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 Tree Tobacco 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 Tree Tobacco list.

See the full Tree Tobacco interactions page
See every supplement checked against Hydroxychloroquine, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Tree Tobacco References

The 9 references that drive our Tree Tobacco 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. Steenkamp, P. A., van Heerden, F. R., and van Wyk, B. E. Accidental fatal poisoning by Nicotiana glauca: identification of anabasine by high performance liquid chromatography/photodiode array/mass spectrometry. Forensic Sci Int 2002;127(3):208-217. PubMed
  2. Mizrachi, N., Levy, S., and Goren, Z. Q. Fatal poisoning from Nicotiana glauca leaves: identification of anabasine by gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry. J Forensic Sci 2000;45(3):736-741. DOI
  3. Mellick, L. B., Makowski, T., Mellick, G. A., and Borger, R. Neuromuscular blockade after ingestion of tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca). Ann Emerg Med 1999;34(1):101-104. PubMed
  4. Sims, D. N., James, R., and Christensen, T. Another death due to ingestion of Nicotiana glauca. J Forensic Sci 1999;44(2):447-449.
  5. Castorena, J. L., Garriott, J. C., Barnhardt, F. E., and Shaw, R. F. A fatal poisoning from Nicotiana glauca. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1987;25(5):429-435.
  6. Manoguerra, A. S. and Freeman, D. Acute poisoning from the ingestion of Nicotiana glauca. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1982;19(8):861-864.
  7. Bardas SL. Short-term intubation after ingestion of Nicotiana glauca. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2011;68(18):1678-9.
  8. Sercan Y, Selahattin KG. Respiratory failure due to plant poisoning: Nicotiana glauca Graham. J Emerg Med. 2018;55(3):e61-e63. PubMed
  9. Kear BM, Lee RW, Church SB, Youssef FA, Arguija A. Ingestion of a common plant's leaves leads to acute respiratory arrest and paralysis: a case report. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med 2020;4(3):371-4. 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 Tree Tobacco and Hydroxychloroquine Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Tree Tobacco with Hydroxychloroquine?
We do not list a known interaction between Tree Tobacco and Hydroxychloroquine. 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 Tree Tobacco and Hydroxychloroquine have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 10 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 Tree Tobacco and Hydroxychloroquine at the same time of day?
At least one FDA label for a product containing Hydroxychloroquine says to take it with food. If you take Tree Tobacco on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate and take Hydroxychloroquine with a meal where the label says to. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient — two Hydroxychloroquine products can differ — so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.
Does Hydroxychloroquine interact with any supplements?
Yes. Hydroxychloroquine has documented interactions with 32 supplements in our database — Tree Tobacco is not one of them. The Hydroxychloroquine 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

Tree Tobacco monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Hydroxychloroquine drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Hydroxychloroquine supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Hydroxychloroquine, 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 9 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Hydroxychloroquine and Tree Tobacco?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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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.