Drug & supplement interaction

Turmeric + Hydroxychloroquine

Hydroxychloroquine brand name: Plaquenil.

No Known Interaction

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 13, 2026

The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Turmeric 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

Turmeric 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 Turmeric 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.

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.

Turmeric safety at a glance

Turmeric overall Use caution Generally safe as a food, but concentrated supplements may cause side effects and rare liver problems in some people.

Pregnancy Likely Safe When used orally in amounts commonly found in food. Read the full pregnancy detail

Breastfeeding Likely Safe When used orally in amounts commonly found in food. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of using turmeric in medicinal amounts... 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 Turmeric? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›

How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Hydroxychloroquine

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Hydroxychloroquine is filed under 3 classifications — cytochrome p450 2d6 (cyp2d6) inhibitors, qt interval-prolonging drugs, oral drugs. Turmeric has documented interactions with 24 drug classes — the most serious being alkylating agents (moderate), amlodipine (norvasc) (moderate) and anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs (moderate) — and none of Hydroxychloroquine’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Turmeric Does Interact With Other Medications

Turmeric has 1,056 moderate, 77 minor known drug interactions in our database — Hydroxychloroquine isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 1,056 Minor 77 No known interaction 1,697 (incl. Hydroxychloroquine)

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Turmeric

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

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Turmeric 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. 3 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

Kidney problems Worth acting on Additional detail
Turmeric
“Orally, turmeric has been linked to one report of kidney failure, although the role of turmeric in this case is unclear. A 69-year-old male developed kidney failure related to calcium oxalate deposits in the renal tubules following supplementation with turmeric 2 grams daily for 2 years as an anti-inflammatory for pelvic pain.”

Turmeric · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in pain.
1 source cited

113343. Washington O, Robinson E, Simh D, et al. Oxalate nephropathy and chronic turmeric supplementation: a case report. J Bras Nefrol 2024;46(1):99-106. PubMed
Hydroxychloroquine

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Hydroxychloroquine. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Hives Worth acting on Additional detail
Turmeric
“Following occupational and/or topical exposure, turmeric or its constituents curcumin, tetrahydrocurcumin, or turmeric oil, can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Topically, curcumin can also cause rash or contact urticaria. In one case, a 60-year-old female, with no prior reactivity to regular oral consumption of turmeric products, developed urticaria after topical application of turmeric massage oil.”

Turmeric · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in dermatitis.
6 sources cited

11146. Hata M, Sasaki E, Ota M, et al . Allergic contact dermatitis from curcumin (turmeric). Contact Dermatitis 1997;36:107-8. PubMed

79270. Lamb, S. R. and Wilkinson, S. M. Contact allergy to tetrahydrocurcumin. Contact Dermatitis 2003;48(4):227. PubMed

79470. Joshi, J., Ghaisas, S., Vaidya, A., Vaidya, R., Kamat, D. V., Bhagwat, A. N., and Bhide, S. Early human safety study of turmeric oil (Curcuma longa oil) administered orally in healthy volunteers. J Assoc.Physicians India 2003;51:1055-1060.

79934. Thompson, D. A. and Tan, B. B. Tetrahydracurcumin-related allergic contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 2006;55(4):254-255. PubMed

81410. Kiec-Swierczynska, M. and Krecisz, B. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis due to curcumin food colour in a pasta factory worker. Contact Dermatitis 1998;39(1):30-31. PubMed

81195. Goh, C. L. and Ng, S. K. Allergic contact dermatitis to Curcuma longa (turmeric). Contact Dermatitis 1987;17(3):186. PubMed
Hydroxychloroquine

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Hydroxychloroquine. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Liver problems Worth acting on Additional detail
Turmeric
“Orally, turmeric has been associated with liver damage, including non-infectious hepatitis, cholestasis, and hepatocellular liver injury. There have been at least 70 reports of liver damage associated with taking turmeric supplements for at least 2 weeks and for up to 14 months. Most cases of liver damage resolved upon discontinuation of the turmeric supplement.”

Turmeric · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cholestasis.
6 sources cited

99304. Lukefahr AL, McEvoy S, Alfafara C, Funk JL. Drug-induced autoimmune hepatitis associated with turmeric dietary supplement use. BMJ Case Rep. 2018. pii: bcr-2018-224611. PubMed

102346. Imam Z, Khasawneh M, Jomaa D, Iftikhar H, Sayedahmad Z. Drug induced liver injury attributed to a curcumin supplement. Case Rep Gastrointest Med 2019 Oct 20;2019:6029403. doi: 10.1155/2019/6029403. PubMed

103094. Chand S, Hair C, Beswick L. A rare case of turmeric-induced hepatotoxicity. Intern Med J. 2020;50(2):258-259. PubMed

103631. Lee BS, Bhatia T, Chaya CT, Wen R, Taira MT, Lim BS. Autoimmune Hepatitis Associated With Turmeric Consumption. ACG Case Rep J. 2020;7(3):e00320. PubMed

103633. Lombardi N, Crescioli G, Maggini V, et al. Acute liver injury following turmeric use in Tuscany: an analysis of the Italian Phytovigilance database and systematic review of case reports. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2020. PubMed

103634. Suhail FK, Masood U, Sharma A, John S, Dhamoon A. Turmeric supplement induced hepatotoxicity: a rare complication of a poorly regulated substance. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2020;58(3):216-217. PubMed
Hydroxychloroquine

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Hydroxychloroquine. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Sun sensitivity / Swelling / A skin rash Additional detail

Turmeric

Recorded for Turmeric in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Hives above.

Hydroxychloroquine

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

Turmeric

Recorded for Turmeric in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Hives above.

Hydroxychloroquine

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Hydroxychloroquine. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Dizziness Additional detail
Turmeric
“Orally, turmeric has been associated with headache and vertigo.”

Turmeric · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cluster headache.
2 sources cited

81163. Chuengsamarn, S., Rattanamongkolgul, S., Luechapudiporn, R., Phisalaphong, C., and Jirawatnotai, S. Curcumin extract for prevention of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2012;35(11):2121-2127. PubMed

114898. Yaikwawong M, Jansarikit L, Jirawatnotai S, Chuengsamarn S. Curcumin Reduces Depression in Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients 2024;16(15):2414. PubMed
Hydroxychloroquine

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Hydroxychloroquine. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Diarrhea / Vomiting Additional detail
Turmeric
“Orally, turmeric can cause gastrointestinal adverse effects, including constipation, flatulence and yellow, hard stools, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or loose stool, dyspepsia, gastritis, distension and gastroesophageal reflux disease, abdominal fullness and pain, epigastric burning, and tongue staining.”

Turmeric · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in constipation.
6 sources cited

107110. Allegri P, Rosa R, Masala A, et al. Clinical effectiveness of a new oral curcumin formulation in acute non-infectious uveitic macular edema: a 12-month observational study. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2022;26(1):46-53.

107112. Tsai IC, Hsu CW, Chang CH, Tseng PT, Chang KV. The effect of curcumin differs on individual cognitive domains across different patient populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021;14(12):1235. PubMed

112118. Qiu L, Gao C, Wang H, et al. Effects of dietary polyphenol curcumin supplementation on metabolic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress indices in patients with metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front PubMed

81149. Mohammadi, A., Sahebkar, A., Iranshahi, M., Amini, M., Khojasteh, R., Ghayour-Mobarhan, M., and Ferns, G. A. Effects of supplementation with curcuminoids on dyslipidemia in obese patients: a randomized crossover trial. Phytother Res 2013;27(3):374-379. PubMed

81163. Chuengsamarn, S., Rattanamongkolgul, S., Luechapudiporn, R., Phisalaphong, C., and Jirawatnotai, S. Curcumin extract for prevention of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2012;35(11):2121-2127. PubMed

96135. Simental-Mendía LE, Pirro M, Gotto AM Jr, et al. Lipid-modifying activity of curcuminoids: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017:1-10. PubMed
Hydroxychloroquine

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

Showing the 10 most notable of 12 shared effects — ranked by how unusual each one is, not just whether both lists mention it.

Reported for Turmeric but not commonly for Hydroxychloroquine: heartburn, constipation, bloating or gas and stomach upset.

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

Turmeric in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Likely Safe

When used orally in amounts commonly found in food.

Pregnancy Likely Unsafe

When used orally in medicinal amounts; turmeric might stimulate the uterus and increase menstrual flow.

Lactation Likely Safe

When used orally in amounts commonly found in food. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of using turmeric in medicinal amounts during lactation.

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 — Turmeric Should Not Break It

At least one FDA label for a product containing Hydroxychloroquine says to take it with food. If you take Turmeric 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 Turmeric 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 Turmeric 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 Turmeric 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

One more smart check

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

We hold 1,368 real supplement products containing Turmeric, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Turmeric. Even though Turmeric itself has no known interaction with Hydroxychloroquine, 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 Turmeric 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 Turmeric

Top 5%

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

29 days ago today

Medication Hydroxychloroquine

Top 25%

#359 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 Turmeric reference on this page ↓
Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Turmeric and Hydroxychloroquine records this page draws on were last updated July 11, 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 Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS.

Supplement

About Turmeric

What is Turmeric?

Joint pain and arthritis
Inflammation
Digestive upset
Antioxidant support
Skin conditions

Turmeric is a popular spice whose main active compounds, curcuminoids, are studied mostly for inflammation and joint pain. Some research is promising, but quality is mixed and curcumin is poorly absorbed on its own. For most people, dietary amounts are safe, but talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking concentrated supplements, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition.

Curcuma longa · Zingiberaceae · Rhizome (underground stem/root) · Capsules, tablets, powder/spice, standardized curcumin extracts, teas, tinctures, topical creams

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

Turmeric: dosing

There is no official, agreed-upon dose for turmeric or curcumin supplements. The amount used in studies has varied widely depending on the product and the condition being studied.Because products differ a lot in strength and in how well they are absorbed, the best approach is to follow the directions on the product label and choose a reputable brand.

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

Read the full Turmeric 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 & Turmeric

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

0Major

1,056Moderate

77Minor

1,696No known interaction

1,056 Moderate 77 Minor 1,696 No interaction

Moderate

1,056 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,056 moderate interactions — see all 1,056 on the Turmeric page.

Minor

77 interactions

Showing 60 of 77 minor interactions — see all 77 on the Turmeric page.

No interaction 1,696 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,696 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Turmeric list.

See the full Turmeric interactions page

See every supplement checked against Hydroxychloroquine, ranked by severity

Evidence & sources

Turmeric References

The 102 references that drive our Turmeric 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.

McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
Sharma RA, McLelland HR, Hill KA, et al. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic study of oral Curcuma extract in patients with colorectal cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2001;7:1894-900..
Shah BH, Nawaz Z, Pertani SA. Inhibitory effect of curcumin, a food spice from turmeric, on platelet-activating factor- and arachidonic acid-mediated platelet aggregation through inhibition of thromboxane formation and Ca2+ signaling. Biochem Pharmacol 1 PubMed
Hata M, Sasaki E, Ota M, et al . Allergic contact dermatitis from curcumin (turmeric). Contact Dermatitis 1997;36:107-8. PubMed
Kuttan R, Sudheeran PC, Josph CD. Turmeric and curcumin as topical agents in cancer therapy. Tumori 1987;73:29-31.. PubMed
Thapliyal R, Deshpande SS, Maru GB. Mechanism(s) of turmeric-mediated protective effects against benzo(a)pyrene-derived DNA adducts. Cancer Lett 2002;175:79-88. PubMed
Lee SW, Nah SS, Byon JS, et al. Transient complete atrioventricular block associated with curcumin intake. Int J Cardiol 2011;150:e50-2. PubMed
Kuptniratsaikul V, Thanakhumtorn S, Chinswangwatanakul P, et al. Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts in patients with knee osteoarthritis. J Altern Complement Med 2009;15:891-7.
Carroll RE, Benya RV, Turgeon DK, et al. Phase IIa clinical trial of curcumin for the prevention of colorectal neoplasia. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2011;4:354-64. PubMed
Junyaprasert, V. B., Soonthornchareonnon, N., Thongpraditchote, S., Murakami, T., and Takano, M. Inhibitory effect of Thai plant extracts on P-glycoprotein mediated efflux. Phytother.Res 2006;20(1):79-81. PubMed
Ampasavate, C., Sotanaphun, U., Phattanawasin, P., and Piyapolrungroj, N. Effects of Curcuma spp. on P-glycoprotein function. Phytomedicine. 2010;17(7):506-512. PubMed
Hou, X. L., Takahashi, K., Tanaka, K., Tougou, K., Qiu, F., Komatsu, K., Takahashi, K., and Azuma, J. Curcuma drugs and curcumin regulate the expression and function of P-gp in Caco-2 cells in completely opposite ways. Int.J Pharm 6-24-2008;358(1-2):224-2 PubMed
Choi, B. H., Kim, C. G., Lim, Y., Shin, S. Y., and Lee, Y. H. Curcumin down-regulates the multidrug-resistance mdr1b gene by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/NF kappa B pathway. Cancer Lett. 1-18-2008;259(1):111-118.
Zhang, W., Tan, T. M., and Lim, L. Y. Impact of curcumin-induced changes in P-glycoprotein and CYP3A expression on the pharmacokinetics of peroral celiprolol and midazolam in rats. Drug Metab Dispos. 2007;35(1):110-115. PubMed
Limtrakul, P., Chearwae, W., Shukla, S., Phisalphong, C., and Ambudkar, S. V. Modulation of function of three ABC drug transporters, P-glycoprotein (ABCB1), mitoxantrone resistance protein (ABCG2) and multidrug resistance protein 1 (ABCC1) by tetrahydrocu
Holland, M. L., Panetta, J. A., Hoskins, J. M., Bebawy, M., Roufogalis, B. D., Allen, J. D., and Arnold, J. C. The effects of cannabinoids on P-glycoprotein transport and expression in multidrug resistant cells. Biochem.Pharmacol 4-14-2006;71(8):1146-1154 PubMed
Tang, X. Q., Bi, H., Feng, J. Q., and Cao, J. G. Effect of curcumin on multidrug resistance in resistant human gastric carcinoma cell line SGC7901/VCR. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2005;26(8):1009-1016. PubMed
Nabekura, T., Kamiyama, S., and Kitagawa, S. Effects of dietary chemopreventive phytochemicals on P-glycoprotein function. Biochem.Biophys.Res Commun. 2-18-2005;327(3):866-870. PubMed
Romiti, N., Tongiani, R., Cervelli, F., and Chieli, E. Effects of curcumin on P-glycoprotein in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Life Sci. 1998;62(25):2349-2358. PubMed
Yue, G. G., Cheng, S. W., Yu, H., Xu, Z. S., Lee, J. K., Hon, P. M., Lee, M. Y., Kennelly, E. J., Deng, G., Yeung, S. K., Cassileth, B. R., Fung, K. P., Leung, P. C., and Lau, C. B. The role of turmerones on curcumin transportation and P-glycoprotein acti
Shenouda, N. S., Zhou, C., Browning, J. D., Ansell, P. J., Sakla, M. S., Lubahn, D. B., and MacDonald, R. S. Phytoestrogens in common herbs regulate prostate cancer cell growth in vitro. Nutr.Cancer 2004;49(2):200-208. PubMed
Appiah-Opong, R., Commandeur, J. N., Vugt-Lussenburg, B., and Vermeulen, N. P. Inhibition of human recombinant cytochrome P450s by curcumin and curcumin decomposition products. Toxicology 6-3-2007;235(1-2):83-91. PubMed
Hou, X. L., Takahashi, K., Kinoshita, N., Qiu, F., Tanaka, K., Komatsu, K., Takahashi, K., and Azuma, J. Possible inhibitory mechanism of Curcuma drugs on CYP3A4 in 1alpha,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 treated Caco-2 cells. Int.J Pharm 6-7-2007;337(1-2):169-177.
Valentine, S. P., Le Nedelec, M. J., Menzies, A. R., Scandlyn, M. J., Goodin, M. G., and Rosengren, R. J. Curcumin modulates drug metabolizing enzymes in the female Swiss Webster mouse. Life Sci. 4-11-2006;78(20):2391-2398. PubMed
Price, R. J., Scott, M. P., Giddings, A. M., Walters, D. G., Stierum, R. H., Meredith, C., and Lake, B. G. Effect of butylated hydroxytoluene, curcumin, propyl gallate and thiabendazole on cytochrome P450 forms in cultured human hepatocytes. Xenobiotica 2 PubMed
Ganta, S., Devalapally, H., and Amiji, M. Curcumin enhances oral bioavailability and anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy of paclitaxel upon administration in nanoemulsion formulation. J Pharm Sci 2010;99(11):4630-4641. PubMed
Lamb, S. R. and Wilkinson, S. M. Contact allergy to tetrahydrocurcumin. Contact Dermatitis 2003;48(4):227. PubMed
Joshi, J., Ghaisas, S., Vaidya, A., Vaidya, R., Kamat, D. V., Bhagwat, A. N., and Bhide, S. Early human safety study of turmeric oil (Curcuma longa oil) administered orally in healthy volunteers. J Assoc.Physicians India 2003;51:1055-1060.
Mahesh, T., Balasubashini, M. S., and Menon, V. P. Effect of photo-irradiated curcumin treatment against oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J Med.Food 2005;8(2):251-255. PubMed
Thompson, D. A. and Tan, B. B. Tetrahydracurcumin-related allergic contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 2006;55(4):254-255. PubMed
Patumraj, S., Wongeakin, N., Sridulyakul, P., Jariyapongskul, A., Futrakul, N., and Bunnag, S. Combined effects of curcumin and vitamin C to protect endothelial dysfunction in the iris tissue of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Clin Hemorheol.Microcirc. 2006;3
Liddle, M., Hull, C., Liu, C., and Powell, D. Contact urticaria from curcumin. Dermatitis 2006;17(4):196-197. PubMed
Juan, H., Terhaag, B., Cong, Z., Bi-Kui, Z., Rong-Hua, Z., Feng, W., Fen-Li, S., Juan, S., Jing, T., and Wen-Xing, P. Unexpected effect of concomitantly administered curcumin on the pharmacokinetics of talinolol in healthy Chinese volunteers. Eur.J Clin PubMed
Murugan, P. and Pari, L. Influence of tetrahydrocurcumin on erythrocyte membrane bound enzymes and antioxidant status in experimental type 2 diabetic rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 9-25-2007;113(3):479-486. PubMed
Seo, K. I., Choi, M. S., Jung, U. J., Kim, H. J., Yeo, J., Jeon, S. M., and Lee, M. K. Effect of curcumin supplementation on blood glucose, plasma insulin, and glucose homeostasis related enzyme activities in diabetic db/db mice. Mol.Nutr.Food Res 2008;5
Weisberg, S. P., Leibel, R., and Tortoriello, D. V. Dietary curcumin significantly improves obesity-associated inflammation and diabetes in mouse models of diabesity. Endocrinology 2008;149(7):3549-3558. PubMed
Jain, S. K., Rains, J., Croad, J., Larson, B., and Jones, K. Curcumin supplementation lowers TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 secretion in high glucose-treated cultured monocytes and blood levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, MCP-1, glucose, and glycosylated hemog
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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 Turmeric and Hydroxychloroquine Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Turmeric with Hydroxychloroquine?

We do not list a known interaction between Turmeric 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 Turmeric 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 Turmeric 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 Turmeric 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.

How was the Turmeric and Hydroxychloroquine combination checked?

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Hydroxychloroquine is filed under 3 classifications, and Turmeric has documented interactions with 24 drug classes — none of Hydroxychloroquine's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.

Does Turmeric interact with any other medications?

Yes. Turmeric has 1,133 documented drug interactions in our database — Hydroxychloroquine is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.

Does Hydroxychloroquine interact with any supplements?

Yes. Hydroxychloroquine has documented interactions with 32 supplements in our database — Turmeric 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

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Turmeric 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 102 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

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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.