Drug & supplement interaction

Tree Turmeric + Ibuprofen, Oxycodone

Ibuprofen, Oxycodone brand name: Combunox.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Ibuprofen, Oxycodone falls into 4 drug categories that Tree Turmeric can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, use of tree turmeric along with CNS depressants might increase the risk of additive therapeutic and adverse effects.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions4
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Tree Turmeric and Ibuprofen, Oxycodone

These two interact in 4 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 4 Interactions?

Tree Turmeric interacts with whole categories of medication. Ibuprofen, Oxycodone falls into 4 of those categories, so it can interact with Tree Turmeric in 4 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CNS DEPRESSANTS

1 of 4

Why this applies to Ibuprofen, Oxycodone

Ibuprofen, Oxycodone falls under CNS DEPRESSANTS — the group Tree Turmeric interacts with.

Theoretically, use of tree turmeric along with CNS depressants might increase the risk of additive therapeutic and adverse effects.
Animal research suggests that berberine, a constituent of tree turmeric, can have sedative effects.
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

This combo product, sold as Combunox, pairs oxycodone (a strong opioid pain reliever) with ibuprofen. The piece that matters here is the oxycodone, since opioids slow down your central nervous system and can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and slowed breathing. Tree turmeric (mostly its berberine) showed mild sedative effects in animal studies, so in theory it could add to that calming, sleepy effect.

I want to be honest that this is a theoretical concern based on animal research, not strong human data, so it may not amount to much for most people. Still, if you notice extra grogginess or feel unusually foggy, that's worth paying attention to. Before combining them, just run it by your pharmacist or doctor to be safe.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Janbaz KH, Gilani AH. Studies on preventive and curative effects of berberine on chemical-induced hepatotoxicity in rodents. Fitoterapia 2000;71:25-33.. PubMed
  2. Shanbhag, S. M., Kulkarni, H. J., and Gaitonde, B. B. Pharmacological actions of berberine on the central nervous system. Jpn.J Pharmacol 1970;20(4):482-487. PubMed
  3. Peng, W. H., Hsieh, M. T., and Wu, C. R. Effect of long-term administration of berberine on scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats. Jpn J Pharmacol 1997;74(3):261-266. DOI
  4. Sabir M and Bhide NK. Study of some pharmacological actions of berberine. Ind J Physiol & Pharmac 1971;15(3):111-132.
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES

2 of 4

Ibuprofen, Oxycodone also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, tree turmeric might increase the levels and clinical effects of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
In vitro research and preliminary clinical evidence suggest that berberine, a constituent of tree turmeric, can inhibit CYP2D6.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence B

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

This combo pill pairs ibuprofen with oxycodone, and it's the oxycodone part that matters here. Your liver uses an enzyme called CYP2D6 to turn oxycodone into a stronger pain-relieving form. The berberine in tree turmeric may slow that enzyme down. So in theory, blocking CYP2D6 could shift how much active painkiller you get, which makes the effect a little unpredictable. With opioids, you mostly want to watch for extra drowsiness, dizziness, slowed breathing, constipation, or nausea.

Keep in mind this is mostly lab and early human data, not a strong, proven effect. Still, since oxycodone is a controlled pain medicine, please check with your pharmacist or doctor before adding tree turmeric.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Chatterjee P, Franklin MR. Human cytochrome p450 inhibition and metabolic-intermediate complex formation by goldenseal extract and its methylenedioxyphenyl components. Drug Metab Dispos 2003;31:1391-7. PubMed
  2. Guo, Y., Chen, Y., Tan, Z. R., Klaassen, C. D., and Zhou, H. H. Repeated administration of berberine inhibits cytochromes P450 in humans. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2012;68(2):213-217. PubMed
  3. Hermann, R. and von, Richter O. Clinical evidence of herbal drugs as perpetrators of pharmacokinetic drug interactions. Planta Med 2012;78(13):1458-1477. PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

3 of 4

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

Theoretically, tree turmeric might increase the levels and clinical effects of drugs that are substrates of CYP3A4.
In vitro research and preliminary clinical evidence suggest that berberine, a constituent of tree turmeric, moderately inhibits CYP3A4.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence A

Interaction 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..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

The combination pill Combunox pairs ibuprofen (a pain and inflammation reliever) with oxycodone (an opioid painkiller). The oxycodone half is partly handled by a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. Berberine, the active piece of tree turmeric, can mildly slow that enzyme down. In theory, that means oxycodone could clear a bit more slowly and build up, nudging up effects like drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, nausea, and in larger amounts slowed breathing.

This is mostly a theoretical concern based on early data, so it is not a reason to panic, but it is worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them, especially since oxycodone is an opioid. Don't start, stop, or change either one on your own.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Wu X, Li Q, Xin H, Yu A, Zhong M. Effects of berberine on the blood concentration of cyclosporin A in renal transplanted recipients: clinical and pharmacokinetic study. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2005;61:567-72. PubMed
  2. Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82. PubMed
  3. Guo, Y., Chen, Y., Tan, Z. R., Klaassen, C. D., and Zhou, H. H. Repeated administration of berberine inhibits cytochromes P450 in humans. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2012;68(2):213-217. PubMed
  4. Hermann, R. and von, Richter O. Clinical evidence of herbal drugs as perpetrators of pharmacokinetic drug interactions. Planta Med 2012;78(13):1458-1477. PubMed
Moderate

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS

4 of 4

Ibuprofen, Oxycodone also falls under ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS.

Theoretically, tree turmeric might have additive effects when used with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs and increase the risk of bleeding.
In vitro and animal research suggest that berberine, a constituent of tree turmeric, can inhibit platelet aggregation.
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 two medicines: ibuprofen (an NSAID) and oxycodone (an opioid). The piece that matters here is the ibuprofen. On its own, ibuprofen can already nudge up bleeding risk because it makes platelets a bit less sticky and can irritate the stomach lining.

Tree turmeric's berberine has shown, mostly in lab and animal studies, that it may also slow platelets down. So the worry is a small added bleeding effect when the two are taken together, like easier bruising, nosebleeds, or stomach upset that lasts. Keep in mind this is theoretical and based on weak evidence, not solid human studies. Still, if you take Combunox regularly or have any bleeding concerns, check with your pharmacist or doctor before adding berberine.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Wu, J. F. and Liu, T. P. [Effects of berberine on platelet aggregation and plasma levels of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in rats with reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion]. Yao Xue.Xue.Bao. 1995;30(2):98-102.
  2. Tripathi YB and Shukla SD. Berberis artistata inhibits PAF induced aggregation of rabbit platelets. Phytotherapy Research 1996;10:628-630.

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

Tree Turmeric Also Interacts With Other Medications

Tree Turmeric has 2 major, 1,157 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.

Major 2 Moderate 1,157 No known interaction 1,671 (incl. Ibuprofen, Oxycodone)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Tree Turmeric

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Ibuprofen, Oxycodone

This page covers Tree Turmeric 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 Tree Turmeric as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 51 real supplement products containing Tree Turmeric, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Tree Turmeric. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Ibuprofen, Oxycodone too, on top of Tree Turmeric — 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 Tree Turmeric 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 Tree Turmeric
Steady interest

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

29 days ago today
Medication Ibuprofen, Oxycodone
Steady interest

#1,706 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 Tree Turmeric

What is Tree Turmeric?

  • Blood sugar support
  • High cholesterol
  • Digestive complaints
  • Skin and eye conditions
  • Antimicrobial uses
  • Liver support

Tree turmeric (Berberis aristata) is a shrub used in traditional Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine, valued mainly for its berberine content. Early research suggests possible benefits for blood sugar and cholesterol, but high-quality human evidence is limited. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, and avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Read the full Tree Turmeric monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Tree Turmeric

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

2Major
1,157Moderate
0Minor
1,670No known interaction
2 Major 1,157 Moderate 1,670 No interaction
Major

2 interactions

Moderate

1,157 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,157 moderate interactions — see all 1,157 on the Tree Turmeric page.

No interaction 1,670 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,670 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Tree Turmeric list.

See the full Tree Turmeric interactions page
See every supplement checked against Ibuprofen, Oxycodone, ranked by severity
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

Keep exploring
Tree Turmeric monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Ibuprofen, Oxycodone supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Ibuprofen, Oxycodone, 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 Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Tree Turmeric and Ibuprofen, Oxycodone Together: Common Questions

Can you take Tree Turmeric 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 4 interactions listed for Tree Turmeric and Ibuprofen, Oxycodone?
Ibuprofen, Oxycodone belongs to more than one drug category, and Tree Turmeric 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 Tree Turmeric 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.