Herb & supplement monograph

Tinospora Cordifolia Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS ·Updated July 2026

What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Tinospora Cordifolia interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Tinospora Cordifolia is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Tinospora Cordifolia is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Tinospora Cordifolia Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, the overall risk of a clinically significant Tinospora Cordifolia drug interaction appears low for most people, though those on blood sugar medicines deserve extra care. None of the listed interactions are rated major, and nearly all rest on lab or animal findings rather than confirmed effects in people.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The clearest concern is with diabetes medications. Human studies show Tinospora cordifolia can lower blood sugar on its own, so combining it with these drugs could push blood sugar too low. We would also be cautious with immunosuppressants, such as those used after a transplant, because this herb may stimulate the immune system and could work against them, although this has only been seen in lab and animal research.

What the rest of the list means

The long list of interacting medications comes mostly from lab studies suggesting Tinospora cordifolia might slow enzymes the body uses to clear many common drugs. These effects are theoretical, and none of them have been reported to cause problems in people. In other words, a long list does not mean every combination is harmful.

Check your medications against Tinospora Cordifolia

Based on HelloPharmacist’s Tinospora Cordifolia interaction data and reviewed under our editorial standards.

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Tinospora Cordifolia

614 medications have a known interaction with Tinospora Cordifolia, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

Don’t want to scroll the list? Just ask.

Tell us the medications you take and we’ll check each one against Tinospora Cordifolia using our pharmacist-reviewed interaction data.

AI summaries are generated from our Tinospora Cordifolia interaction data for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI

2,830 drugs

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
Probable. 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.
Possible. 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
Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Tinospora Cordifolia combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

The big picture

The kinds of drugs Tinospora Cordifolia affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Tinospora Cordifolia is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 6 drug categories Tinospora Cordifolia interacts with

Antidiabetes DrugsCytochrome P450 1a2 (cyp1a2) SubstratesCytochrome P450 2c19 (cyp2c19) SubstratesCytochrome P450 2c9 (cyp2c9) SubstratesCytochrome P450 2d6 (cyp2d6) SubstratesImmunosuppressants

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, Tinospora cordifolia might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Clinical research in adults with type 2 diabetes shows that Tinospora cordifolia can reduce fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin. Additionally, animal research shows that Tinospora cordifolia has hypoglycemic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence A

Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, Tinospora cordifolia might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
In vitro research shows that Tinospora cordifolia extract inhibits CYP1A2 at high concentrations. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Cytochrome P450 2C19 (Cyp2C19) Substrates

Theoretically, Tinospora cordifolia might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.
In vitro research shows that Tinospora cordifolia extract inhibits CYP2C19 at high concentrations. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, Tinospora cordifolia might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
In vitro research shows that Tinospora cordifolia extract inhibits CYP2C9. Animal research shows that Tinospora cordifolia extract 400 mg/kg twice daily for 14 days reduces the clearance and increases plasma levels of glyburide, a CYP2C9 substrate. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Theoretically, Tinospora cordifolia might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
In vitro research shows that Tinospora cordifolia extract inhibits CYP2D6 at high concentrations. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, Tinospora cordifolia might reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressants.
In vitro and animal research shows that Tinospora cordifolia has immunostimulant effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Monograph

Tinospora Cordifolia: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Reviewed July 2026 ·

The bottom line

Tinospora cordifolia, known as Guduchi or Giloy in Ayurvedic medicine, is a climbing plant traditionally used to support immunity and treat fevers. Early laboratory and small human studies suggest possible immune and blood sugar effects, but high-quality evidence is limited, and there have been reports of liver injury. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it.

Scientific name: Tinospora cordifolia
Family: Menispermaceae
Part used: Stem (mainly), root, and leaves
Common forms: Capsules, tablets, powder (churna), liquid extract, juice, and decoctions

People commonly use it for

Immune support
Fever
Blood sugar support
General wellness and 'rejuvenation'
Allergic rhinitis
Inflammation

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance

OverallUse caution

Generally used in traditional medicine, but reports of liver injury mean it should be used carefully and under guidance.

PregnancyInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full pregnancy detail

BreastfeedingInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Jump to a section

Overview

Tinospora cordifolia is a climbing shrub native to India and other parts of tropical Asia. In Ayurvedic medicine it is often called Guduchi or Giloy, and it has a long history of traditional use. The stem is the part used most often, although the root and leaves are also used.

People take it as capsules, tablets, powders, juices, and teas or decoctions. Traditionally it has been described as a 'rasayana,' a term used in Ayurveda for herbs thought to promote overall health and vitality. Today it is most commonly marketed for immune support and general wellness.

How it works

Tinospora cordifolia contains many natural compounds, including alkaloids, glycosides, and plant chemicals such as berberine and tinosporin. Researchers believe some of these may affect the immune system and have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

In laboratory and animal studies, extracts have shown effects on immune cells and on blood sugar handling. It is important to understand that most of this evidence comes from test-tube and animal research, which does not always translate to the same effects in people.

Effectiveness

Does Tinospora Cordifolia work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD.

Evidence overview · 16 uses evaluated

1 Possibly effective 15 Insufficient evidence

How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.

2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.

3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.

4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.

5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.

6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.

7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.

Possibly Effective Diabetes