Drug & supplement interaction

Wasabi + Heparin

Heparin brand name: Heparin.

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

Wasabi has a moderate interaction with Heparin. Theoretically, wasabi might increase the risk of bleeding with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.

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

Wasabi and Heparin

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS

Why this applies to Heparin

Heparin falls under ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS — the group Wasabi interacts with.

Theoretically, wasabi might increase the risk of bleeding with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro research shows that 6-(methylsulfinyl) hexyl isothiocyanate, a constituent of wasabi, inhibits 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

Here's the gist with heparin and wasabi. Heparin is a powerful blood thinner that already lowers your blood's ability to clot. Wasabi contains a compound that, in lab dish studies, seems to make platelets (the cells that help you form clots) a little less sticky. Stack those two together and the worry is simply additive: theoretically a bit more bleeding risk.

I want to keep this in perspective. This is theory based on test-tube research, not real patient cases, and the dab of wasabi on your sushi is very unlikely to matter. A concentrated wasabi supplement is the bigger question mark. While you're on heparin, watch for easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or unusually dark stools, and run any wasabi supplement past your doctor or pharmacist first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Morimitsu, Y., Hayashi, K., Nakagawa, Y., Fujii, H., Horio, F., Uchida, K., and Osawa, T. Antiplatelet and anticancer isothiocyanates in Japanese domestic horseradish, Wasabi. Mech Ageing Dev 2000;116(2-3):125-134. PubMed

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

Wasabi Also Interacts With Other Medications

Wasabi has 121 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Heparin one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 121 No known interaction 2,709 (incl. Heparin)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Wasabi

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Heparin

This page covers Wasabi only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Heparin page lists 202 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Danshen (major), Piracetam (major), Aconite (moderate), Allspice (moderate) and Aloe (moderate).

By severity: 2 major · 183 moderate · 17 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Heparin page

“Heparin exists to keep clots from forming, and all 202 supplements on this list touch that same clotting machinery, so treat these pairings with real care. Nearly all lean the same way, adding antiplatelet or anticoagulant activity that can push a therapeutic dose toward bruising and bleeding.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Heparin interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Wasabi and Heparin 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 Wasabi
Steady interest

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

29 days ago today
Medication Heparin
Top half

#808 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 Wasabi

What is Wasabi?

Wasabi
  • Flavoring for sushi and other foods
  • Antimicrobial support
  • Anti-inflammatory support
  • Antioxidant support
  • General immune support

Wasabi is best known as the pungent green condiment served with sushi, made from a Japanese plant in the cabbage family. Its natural compounds (isothiocyanates) show antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in lab studies, but there is very little human research to support taking it as a supplement. As a food it is generally safe; as a concentrated supplement, talk with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Read the full Wasabi monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Heparin Injection

What Is Heparin Injection Used For?

Brand name: Heparin

Heparin Sodium Injection is used to prevent and treat blood clots in the veins and lungs (venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism), including after major abdominal or chest surgery. It is also used for atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm) when there is a risk of clots breaking off and traveling through the body, and to treat disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a serious condition where the blood clots abnormally throughout the body.

It is also used to prevent clotting during heart and artery surgery, to treat peripheral arterial embolism (a clot blocking blood flow to the limbs), and as an anticoagulant during blood transfusions, heart-lung bypass (extracorporeal circulation), and dialysis procedures.

See full Heparin Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Wasabi

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

0Major
121Moderate
0Minor
2,708No known interaction
121 Moderate 2,708 No interaction
Moderate

121 interactions

Showing 60 of 121 moderate interactions — see all 121 on the Wasabi page.

No interaction 2,708 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,708 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Wasabi list.

See the full Wasabi interactions page
See every supplement checked against Heparin, 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
Wasabi monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Heparin supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Heparin, ranked by severity Heparin Injection drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication 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 Wasabi and Heparin Together: Common Questions

Can you take Wasabi with Heparin?
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.
How serious is the Wasabi and Heparin 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

Still Have a Question About Heparin and Wasabi?

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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.