Drug & supplement interaction

White Pepper + Pitolisant Hydrochloride

Pitolisant Hydrochloride brand name: Wakix.

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

Pitolisant Hydrochloride falls into 2 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
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
Know someone taking this? Share
Facebook Post Reddit Email
On this page
Interaction report

White Pepper and Pitolisant Hydrochloride

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

White Pepper interacts with whole categories of medication. Pitolisant Hydrochloride falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with White Pepper in 2 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 2

Why this applies to Pitolisant Hydrochloride

Pitolisant Hydrochloride 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 simple version: your body uses an enzyme called CYP2D6 to clear pitolisant (Wakix) from your system. In lab studies, certain compounds in white pepper appear to slow that same enzyme down a bit. If that happened in real life, pitolisant could build up slightly and hang around longer, which might mean stronger effects or more side effects like headache, trouble sleeping, nausea, or anxiety. Pitolisant is active on its own, so this is about more drug, not less.

Keep in mind this is only a theory based on test-tube work, and the white pepper you sprinkle on food is very unlikely to cause trouble. Concentrated piperine supplements are a different story, so check with your pharmacist before using those.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
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 2

Pitolisant Hydrochloride 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

Here's the gist for Wakix (pitolisant): your liver uses an enzyme called CYP3A4 to help break it down. A compound in white pepper, piperine, has been shown in lab dish studies to slow that enzyme down. If that happened in the body, pitolisant could clear a little more slowly and build up, which might mean stronger effects or more side effects like headache, nausea, trouble sleeping, anxiety, or a faster heartbeat.

The honest part: this is theoretical, based on test-tube data, not real patient cases. Normal kitchen amounts of white pepper on your food are very unlikely to cause a problem. Concentrated piperine supplements are the bigger question mark. If you're considering one, just run it by your pharmacist or doctor first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction

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 Pitolisant Hydrochloride one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 975 Minor 3 No known interaction 1,852 (incl. Pitolisant Hydrochloride)
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 Pitolisant Hydrochloride

This page covers White Pepper only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Pitolisant Hydrochloride page lists 158 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Grapefruit (major), St. John's Wort (major), 1,3-dmaa (moderate) and Acacia Rigidula (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 114 moderate · 41 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Pitolisant Hydrochloride page

“Pitolisant (Wakix) keeps people with narcolepsy awake through the day, and it only works when a steady amount reaches the bloodstream. Most of the 158 supplement ingredients on this page can disturb exactly that, so this is a list worth slowing down for.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Pitolisant Hydrochloride 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 Pitolisant Hydrochloride 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 Pitolisant Hydrochloride 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

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

29 days ago today
Medication Pitolisant Hydrochloride
Steady interest

#2,538 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
Medication

About Pitolisant

What Is Pitolisant Used For?

Brand name: Wakix

Wakix (pitolisant) is used to treat two hallmark problems of narcolepsy: excessive daytime sleepiness (feeling overwhelmingly tired and unable to stay awake during the day) and cataplexy (sudden episodes of muscle weakness or loss of muscle control, often triggered by emotion). It is approved for adults and children 6 years of age and older.

Both uses are specific to Wakix tablets taken by mouth. The drug is not approved for sleepiness or cataplexy caused by conditions other than narcolepsy.

See full Pitolisant drug information
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
975 Moderate 3 Minor 1,851 No 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

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,851 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full White Pepper list.

See the full White Pepper interactions page
See every supplement checked against Pitolisant Hydrochloride, 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
White Pepper monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Pitolisant Hydrochloride supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Pitolisant Hydrochloride, ranked by severity Pitolisant 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 White Pepper and Pitolisant Hydrochloride Together: Common Questions

Can you take White Pepper with Pitolisant Hydrochloride?
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 2 interactions listed for White Pepper and Pitolisant Hydrochloride?
Pitolisant Hydrochloride 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 Pitolisant Hydrochloride 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 Pitolisant Hydrochloride and White Pepper?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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.