Drug & supplement interaction

White Pepper + Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone

Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone brand name: Damason-P.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone falls into 3 drug categories that White Pepper can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. In vitro evidence suggests that some constituents of white pepper inhibit cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6).

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions3
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

White Pepper and Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone

These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

White Pepper interacts with whole categories of medication. Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with White Pepper in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES

1 of 3

Why this applies to Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone

Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES — the group White Pepper interacts with.

In vitro evidence suggests that some constituents of white pepper inhibit cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6). Theoretically, concomitant use may affect drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
Some drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 include amitriptyline (Elavil), codeine, desipramine (Norpramin), flecainide (Tambocor), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), ondansetron (Zofran), paroxetine (Paxil), risperidone (Risperdal), tramadol (Ultram), venlafaxine (Effexor), and others.
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 piece that matters in your combo pill: hydrocodone is a prodrug. Your body uses an enzyme called CYP2D6 to turn part of it into a stronger painkiller (hydromorphone). White pepper's piperine may, at least in lab tests, block that enzyme a little. If it slows the conversion, you might get slightly less pain relief from the hydrocodone portion.

The good news is this is theoretical, based only on test-tube data, and the aspirin and caffeine pieces aren't really involved. Normal cooking amounts of white pepper are very unlikely to matter. Concentrated piperine supplements are a different story, so check with your pharmacist before taking those alongside Damason-P, and tell someone if your pain isn't controlled.

References
  1. Subehan, Usia, T., Kadota, S., and Tezuka, Y. Mechanism-based inhibition of human liver microsomal cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) by alkamides of Piper nigrum. Planta Med 2006;72(6):527-532.
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

2 of 3

Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.

In vitro evidence suggests that piperine, a constituent of white pepper, inhibits cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Theoretically, concomitant use with white pepper might increase the effects and side effects of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Some drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 include some calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, nicardipine, verapamil), chemotherapeutic agents (etoposide, paclitaxel, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine), antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), glucocorticoids, cisapride (Propulsid), alfentanil (Alfenta), fentanyl (Sublimaze), losartan (Cozaar), fluoxetine (Prozac), midazolam (Versed), omeprazole (Prilosec), ondansetron (Zofran), propranolol (Inderal), fexofenadine (Allegra), and numerous others.
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 pill pairs aspirin and caffeine with hydrocodone, the part that matters most here. Your liver uses an enzyme called CYP3A4 to help break hydrocodone down. Piperine, the spicy compound in white pepper, can mildly block that enzyme in lab studies. In theory, slowing that breakdown could let a bit more hydrocodone build up, which might mean stronger drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, or slowed breathing.

Here's the reassuring part: this is theoretical, based on test-tube work, not real patient cases. Normal cooking amounts of white pepper are very unlikely to cause trouble. Concentrated piperine supplements are where I'd be more cautious. If you take a daily piperine product, just check in with your pharmacist or doctor before combining.

Moderate

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS

3 of 3

Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone also falls under ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS.

In vitro evidence suggests that piperine, a constituent of white pepper, inhibits platelet aggregation. Theoretically, white pepper might increase the risk of bleeding when used with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs.
Some anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
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 thing with this combo pill (which contains aspirin, caffeine, and hydrocodone): the aspirin part already thins your blood a little by keeping platelets from clumping together. In lab dishes, piperine (the spicy compound in white pepper) seems to nudge platelets in the same direction. So the worry is that piling them up could make bleeding or bruising slightly more likely, things like nosebleeds, easy bruises, or stomach upset from the aspirin.

Now, I want to keep this in perspective. This is only test-tube and animal evidence, not proven in people, and the pinch of white pepper on your dinner almost certainly won't matter. Concentrated piperine supplements are a different story. If you're considering one of those, just run it by your pharmacist or doctor first.

References
  1. Raghavendra, R. H. and Naidu, K. A. Spice active principles as the inhibitors of human platelet aggregation and thromboxane biosynthesis. Prostaglandins Leukot.Essent.Fatty Acids 2009;81(1):73-78. 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

White Pepper Also Interacts With Other Medications

White Pepper has 975 moderate, 3 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against White Pepper

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone

This page covers White Pepper only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone page lists 398 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: 17 major · 334 moderate · 47 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone page

“Damason-P packs three drugs into one tablet, the opioid hydrocodone, aspirin, and caffeine, so a supplement can collide with any one of them, and its list of 398 interacting ingredients earns real respect. More than 200 of those can add to aspirin's bleeding risk, while 78 can deepen the opioid's sedation.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 2 real supplement products containing White Pepper, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides White Pepper. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone too, on top of White Pepper — 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 White Pepper and Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone 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 White Pepper
Steady interest

#1,216 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone
Steady interest

#1,887 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 White Pepper

What is White Pepper?

  • Digestive upset
  • Seasoning and appetite support
  • Cough and cold remedies (traditional)
  • Minor aches and pains (traditional)
  • Antimicrobial (traditional)

White pepper comes from the same plant as black pepper and is mostly used as a kitchen spice. In normal food amounts it is generally safe for most people, but there is little solid human research supporting its use as a medicine. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using concentrated supplements, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a health condition.

Read the full White Pepper monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & White Pepper

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

0Major
975Moderate
3Minor
1,851No known interaction
Moderate

975 interactions

Showing 60 of 975 moderate interactions — see all 975 on the White Pepper page.

Minor

3 interactions

No interaction 1,851 drugs checked — show the list
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

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking White Pepper and Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone Together: Common Questions

Can you take White Pepper with Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone?
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 3 interactions listed for White Pepper and Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone?
Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone belongs to more than one drug category, and White Pepper 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 White Pepper and Aspirin, Caffeine, Hydrocodone 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.