Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Cayenne Extra Hot Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Way

Cayenne Extra Hot label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Cayenne Extra Hot against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Cayenne Extra Hot is a dietary supplement by Nature's Way with 3 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, morning sickness in pregnancy.Based on those ingredients, 1,061 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Ginger, Cayenne Pepper, Hawthorn. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Cayenne Extra Hot by Nature's Way

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Cayenne Extra Hot by Nature's Way — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Cayenne Extra Hot by Nature's Way

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 12, 2026

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 3 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (450 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

Cayenne Extra Hot contains three active ingredients: ginger, hawthorn, and cayenne pepper (capsicum), delivered in a plant-derived capsule. The product uses a proprietary blend, which means the exact amounts of each ingredient aren't disclosed on the label — just that they're present in combination.

Ginger is included for its traditional use in digestive support and general wellness. Hawthorn is a botanical traditionally associated with heart and circulation health.

Cayenne pepper (capsicum) is valued for its active compound, capsaicin, which has been studied for pain relief and other wellness applications.

Does it work?

Strong evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Strong

Clinical evidence supports at least one of this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: aid digestion and support circulation.
  • We looked for evidence on: Angina, Arrhythmia, Back pain, Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Cluster headache, Congestive heart failure (CHF) — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Capsicum is rated "Likely Effective" for Diabetic neuropathy (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Capsicum is rated "Possibly Effective" for Back pain, Cluster headache.
  • Also on file: Hawthorn is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Angina, Arrhythmia, Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Congestive heart failure (CHF).

The evidence for what this product can do varies by ingredient. Ginger shows possibly effective evidence for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, menstrual cramp pain (dysmenorrhea), and osteoarthritis, but possibly ineffective evidence for post-exercise muscle soreness and chemotherapy nausea.

Cayenne pepper (capsicum) is likely effective for nerve pain after shingles (postherpetic neuralgia) and diabetic nerve pain, and possibly effective for cluster headaches, back pain, and nausea after surgery. Hawthorn, however, carries insufficient reliable evidence for the conditions it's traditionally used for — including heart conditions, anxiety, irregular heartbeat, and blood vessel health — so we don't have solid data on whether it works for those purposes in this product.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Ginger Hawthorn Capsicum

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 3 of the 3 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 3 of 3.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 3 of 3.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Ginger is generally well tolerated in typical food and supplement amounts for most healthy adults. The most common side effects are mild — abdominal discomfort, burping, diarrhea, heartburn, and a pepper-like irritant feeling in the mouth — and higher doses (5 grams or more per day) increase these risks.

Cayenne pepper is also generally well tolerated in food amounts and approved topical products, though it commonly causes burning and irritation; its safety as a concentrated supplement is less well studied. Hawthorn is generally well tolerated in studies, but because it affects the heart, anyone with a heart condition needs medical supervision.

For pregnancy: ginger is rated likely safe to possibly safe, so check with your doctor first and keep amounts moderate. Hawthorn safety data during pregnancy and breastfeeding is insufficient — the product advises against use during both.

Cayenne pepper is rated likely safe to possibly safe in pregnancy and likely safe during breastfeeding, though safety of concentrated supplements during breastfeeding isn't well established.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Ginger Hawthorn Capsicum

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 3 of the 3 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Hawthorn, Capsicum, Ginger.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications; heart-rhythm medications.
  • For scale: 1,062 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking Cayenne Extra Hot, double-check these medication types with your pharmacist: nitrates and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (Major severity); blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs, blood pressure medications, heart medications including digoxin and nifedipine, diabetes drugs, and drugs metabolized through liver pathways like CYP3A4 or transported by P-glycoprotein (all Moderate severity); and ACE inhibitors and theophylline (Minor severity). The medication checker on this page will show you exactly which of your prescriptions are affected.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with clinical evidence supporting its stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product may work best for people managing nerve pain, osteoarthritis, or nausea, but it's not right for anyone on nitrates, ED medications, blood thinners, diabetes drugs, or certain heart and blood pressure medications. If you have any heart condition or take any prescription medication, check your exact drugs with the tool on this page before starting.

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a heart condition.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 3 of 3 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Dec 22, 2019.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Cayenne Extra Hot, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Way
Barcode (UPC) 033674007006
Net contents 100 Vegan Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 22, 2019
DSLD ID 212574
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegan, Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Cayenne Extra Hot by Nature's Way, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
033674007006
IngredientAmount% DV
Proprietary Blend450 mg--
Ginger0 NP--
Hawthorn0 NP--
Cayenne Pepper0 NP--

Other ingredients: plant-derived Capsule

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formulation

Traditionally used to aid digestion and support circulation

Non GMO

Gluten free. No sugar, salt, yeast, wheat, corn, soy, dairy products, or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

Vegan

General Statements

At Nature’s Way, we believe nature knows best. That’s why our mission is to seek out the best herbs the earth has to give. We will go to any continent or country to find where herbs grow best, so we can bring you the purest botanicals possible. It’s the way we deliver uncompromising quality and the way to help you live healthier. It’s not just our way, it’s Nature’s Way.

Nature’s Way Since 1969 Premium Blend

Bottles made From 97% Post-consumer Recycled plastic

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Seals/Symbols

Non GMO Project Verified nongmoproject.org

Vegan Quality Global Sourcing Bottled & Tested In the USA

Formula

450 mg of blend per serving

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommendation: Take 1 capsule with a meal. Do not exceed taking 3 capsules daily.

Precautions

Caution: If you suffer from heartburn, hiatal hernia, gastritis, or peptic ulcer disease, consult a healthcare professional before use. Excessive doses may cause GI irritation in sensitive individuals.

If you are pregnant, nursing, or taking any medications, consult a healthcare professional before use.

Keep out of reach of children.

Safety sealed with printed inner seal. Do not use if seal is broken or missing.

Gluten free. No sugar, salt, yeast, wheat, corn, soy, dairy products, or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

Brand IP Statement(s)

2019 Nature's Way Brands, LLC

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Cayenne Extra Hot by Nature's Way label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Cayenne Extra Hot label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Cayenne Extra Hot by Nature's Way

These are the 3 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Proprietary Blend

450 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Plant-derived Capsule. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Cayenne Extra Hot by Nature's Way Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Cayenne Extra Hot?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
1,061Drugs
14 Major 905 Moderate 142 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Ginger 1,007
Cayenne Pepper 239
Hawthorn 191

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Cayenne Extra Hot interact with 1,061 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

3 of the 3 ingredients in Cayenne Extra Hot interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Ginger Cayenne Pepper Hawthorn

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Cayenne Extra Hot with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Ginger14 drug types · 1,007 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Ginger may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. However, research is conflicting.
Laboratory research suggests that ginger inhibits thromboxane synthetase and decreases platelet aggregation. However, this has not been demonstrated unequivocally in humans, with mixed results from clinical trials. Theoretically, excessive amounts of ginger might increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking ginger with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Animal and human research suggests that ginger might increase insulin levels and/or decrease blood glucose levels.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Ginger might increase or decrease the levels of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research and some case reports suggest that ginger inhibits CYP3A4 activity. Three case reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) adverse drug reaction database describe increased toxicity in patients taking ginger and cancer medications that are CYP3A4 substrates (imatinib, dabrafenib, and crizotinib). However, the causality of this interaction is unclear due to the presence of multiple interacting drugs and routes of administration.
Conversely, other in vitro research suggests that ginger induces CYP3A4 activity, leading to reduced levels of CYP3A4 substrates. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Losartan (Cozaar)

Theoretically, ginger might increase levels of losartan and the risk of hypotension.
In animal research, ginger increased the levels and hypotensive effects of a single dose of losartan. It is not clear if ginger alters the concentration or effects of losartan when taken continuously. Additionally, this interaction has not been shown in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Nifedipine (Procardia)

Ginger may have antiplatelet effects and increase the risk of bleeding if used with nifedipine.
Clinical research shows that combined treatment with ginger 1 gram plus nifedipine 10 mg significantly inhibits platelet aggregation when compared to nifedipine or ginger alone.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Ginger might increase the absorption and blood levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates.
In vitro research and case reports suggest that ginger inhibits drug efflux by P-gp, potentially increasing absorption and serum levels of P-gp substrates. Two case reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) adverse drug reaction database describe increased toxicity in patients taking ginger and cancer medications that are P-gp substrates (trametinib, crizotinib). However, the causality of this interaction is unclear due to the presence of multiple interacting drugs and routes of administration.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Phenprocoumon (Marcoumar, Others)

Ginger might increase the risk of bleeding with phenprocoumon.
Phenprocoumon, a warfarin-related anticoagulant, might increase the international normalized ratio (INR) when taken with ginger. There is one case report of a 76-year-old woman with a stable INR on phenprocoumon that increased to greater than 10 when she began consuming dried ginger and ginger tea.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Ginger might increase the risk of bleeding with warfarin.
Laboratory research suggests that ginger might inhibit thromboxane synthetase and decrease platelet aggregation. In one case report, ginger increased the INR when taken with phenprocoumon, which has similar pharmacological effects as warfarin. In another case report, ginger increased the INR when taken with a combination of warfarin, hydrochlorothiazide, and acetaminophen. A longitudinal analysis suggests that taking ginger increases the risk of bleeding in patients taking warfarin for at least 4 months. However, research in healthy people suggests that ginger has no effect on INR, or the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of warfarin. Until more is known, monitor INRs closely in patients taking large amounts of ginger.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Calcium Channel Blockers

Theoretically, taking ginger with calcium channel blockers might increase the risk of hypotension.
Some animal and in vitro research suggests that ginger has hypotensive and calcium channel-blocking effects. Another animal study shows that concomitant administration of ginger and the calcium channel blocker amlodipine leads to greater reductions in blood pressure when compared with amlodipine alone.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)

Theoretically, when taken prior to cyclosporine, ginger might decrease cyclosporine levels.
In an animal model, ginger juice taken 2 hours prior to cyclosporine administration reduced the maximum concentration and area under the curve of cyclosporine by 51% and 40%, respectively. This effect was not observed when ginger juice and cyclosporine were administered at the same time.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, ginger might increase the levels of CYP1A2 substrates.
In vitro research shows that ginger inhibits CYP1A2 activity. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2B6 (Cyp2B6) Substrates

Theoretically, ginger might increase the levels of CYP2B6 substrates.
In vitro research shows that ginger inhibits CYP2B6 activity. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, ginger might increase the levels of CYP2C9 substrates.
In vitro research shows that ginger inhibits CYP2C9 activity. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Metronidazole (Flagyl)

Theoretically, ginger might increase levels of metronidazole.
In an animal model, ginger increased the absorption and plasma half-life of metronidazole. In addition, the elimination rate and clearance of metronidazole was significantly reduced.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Ginger full monograph & interactions

Cayenne Pepper6 drug types · 239 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, capsicum may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro research shows that capsicum might increase the effects of antiplatelet drugs. Also, population research shows that capsicum is associated with an increased risk of self-reported bleeding in patients taking warfarin. However, clinical research shows that taking a single dose of capsaicin (Asian Herbex Ltd.), the active ingredient in capsicum, 400-800 mcg orally in combination with aspirin 500 mg does not decrease platelet aggregation when compared with taking aspirin 500 mg alone. Also, there was no notable effect on measures of platelet aggregation with capsaicin. It is unclear whether capsaicin must be used in more than a single dose to affect platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking capsicum with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Preliminary clinical research shows that consuming capsicum 5 grams along with a glucose drink attenuates the rise in plasma glucose after 30 minutes by 21%, decreases the 2-hour postprandial area under the curve of plasma glucose by 11%, and increases the 2-hour postprandial area under the curve of plasma insulin by 58% in healthy individuals when compared with placebo. Other clinical research shows that taking capsicum 5 mg daily for 28 days significantly reduces postprandial blood glucose and insulin levels, but not fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, in patients with gestational diabetes.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Aspirin

Theoretically, taking capsicum with aspirin might reduce the bioavailability of aspirin.
Animal research shows that acute or chronic intake of capsicum pepper reduces oral aspirin bioavailability. This has not been shown in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Theophylline

Theoretically, taking capsicum with theophylline might increase the levels and adverse effects of theophylline.
In animal research, oral administration of capsicum reduced excretion of theophylline. However, capsicum does not seem to affect the pharmacokinetics of theophylline when administered intravenously.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Ace Inhibitors (Aceis)

Theoretically, using topical capsaicin may increase the risk of ACE inhibitor-induced cough.
There is one case report of a topically applied capsaicin cream contributing to the cough reflex in a patient using an ACEI. However, it is unclear if this interaction is clinically significant.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

Theoretically, taking capsicum with ciprofloxacin might increase levels and adverse effects of ciprofloxacin.
Animal research shows that concomitant use of capsaicin, the active constituent of capsicum, and ciprofloxacin increases the bioavailability of ciprofloxacin by up to 70%.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cayenne Pepper full monograph & interactions

Hawthorn6 drug types · 191 drugs

Nitrates

Theoretically, concomitant use might cause additive coronary vasodilatory effects.
Some evidence shows that hawthorn might lower blood pressure due to vasodilatory effects.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors

Theoretically, concomitant use might result in additive vasodilation and hypotension.
Hawthorn might inhibit PDE-5 and cause vasodilation.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, hawthorn may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro and animal research shows that hawthorn can inhibit platelet aggregation. However, its effect in humans is unclear. One observational study shows that patients taking hawthorn shortly before undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery or valve replacement surgery have a 10% incidence of postoperative bleeding, compared with 1% in those who never consumed hawthorn extract. However, clinical research shows that taking a specific preparation of dried hawthorn leaves and flowers (Crataesor, Soria Natural Lab) 800 mg three times daily for 15 days does not affect platelet aggregation or levels of thromboxane B2, the metabolite of thromboxane A2, in healthy humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Beta-Blockers

Theoretically, concomitant use might cause additive effects on blood pressure and heart rate.
Some evidence shows that hawthorn might lower blood pressure and heart rate.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Calcium Channel Blockers

Theoretically, concomitant use might cause additive coronary vasodilation and hypotensive effects.
Some evidence shows that hawthorn might lower blood pressure due to vasodilatory effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Theoretically, hawthorn might potentiate the effects and adverse effects of digoxin.
Hawthorn appears to improve cardiac output; however, hawthorn does not appear to affect digoxin pharmacokinetics. Case reports suggest that at least one species of hawthorn root extract (Crataegus mexicana) may produce adverse effects similar to digoxin and can cross-react with digoxin assays, leading to falsely elevated plasma digoxin levels.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Hawthorn full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Cayenne Extra Hot, from the product label.

Nature's Way

See all Nature's Way products
Name
Nature's Way Brands, LLC
City
Green Bay
State
WI
ZipCode
54311
Phone Number
1-800-962-8873
Web Address
naturesway.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Cayenne Extra Hot by Nature's Way: Common Questions

Does Cayenne Extra Hot by Nature's Way interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Cayenne Extra Hot has a known interaction with 1,061 medications, including 14 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Cayenne Extra Hot contains 3 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
What's in this product?
Cayenne Extra Hot contains ginger, hawthorn, and cayenne pepper in a proprietary blend inside a plant-derived capsule. A proprietary blend means the exact amounts of each ingredient aren't listed — just that they're all present together.
Does ginger in this product actually help with nausea or arthritis?
Ginger has possibly effective evidence for pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting and for osteoarthritis pain, but the evidence isn't as strong as "likely effective." For exercise soreness and chemotherapy nausea, the evidence suggests it probably doesn't help.
Is cayenne pepper safe to take as a supplement?
Cayenne pepper (capsicum) is generally well tolerated in food amounts and approved topical products, though it commonly causes burning and irritation. Safety of concentrated supplements isn't as well studied, so talk with your doctor before taking it as a medicinal dose.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant?
Ginger is rated likely safe to possibly safe in pregnancy, but you should check with your doctor first and keep amounts moderate. Hawthorn, however, doesn't have enough safety data — the product advises against it during pregnancy. Since this is a blend, talk to your doctor about whether it's right for you.
What are the most common side effects?
Ginger and cayenne pepper both commonly cause mild digestive upset — abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, heartburn, belching, bloating, and nausea. Cayenne also causes a burning sensation in the mouth and throat. These tend to be mild and often decrease over time.
Does this interact with blood pressure medications?
Yes. Ginger interacts with calcium channel blockers and other blood pressure drugs; hawthorn interacts with beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and nitrates; and cayenne pepper has a minor interaction with ACE inhibitors. Use the medication checker on this page with your exact medications to see if any of yours are affected.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Cayenne Extra Hot label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Cayenne Extra Hot’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Ginger

Interacts with 1,007 drugs

Ginger is a widely used culinary spice with a long history in traditional medicine, and it has the strongest evidence for helping with nausea and vomiting, including from motion sickness, pr...

Read the full Ginger monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Hawthorn

Interacts with 191 drugs

Hawthorn is a plant traditionally used for heart-related complaints, and some studies suggest it may modestly help symptoms of mild heart failure when added to standard care. However, the ev...

Read the full Hawthorn monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Capsicum

Interacts with 239 drugs

Capsicum (chili pepper) contains capsaicin, which is best known and best studied as a topical treatment for certain types of pain. Topical capsaicin products are supported by reasonable evid...

Read the full Capsicum monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Cayenne Extra Hot's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 178 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Ginger 64 references
  1. Fischer-Rasmussen W, Kjaer SK, Dahl C, Asping U. Ginger treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 1991;38:19-24. PubMed
  2. Jewell D, Young G. Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2):CD000145. PubMed
  3. Vutyavanich T, Kraisarin T, Ruangsri R. Ginger for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol 2001;97:577-82. DOI
  4. Backon J. Ginger in preventing nausea and vomiting of pregnancy; a caveat due to its thromboxane synthetase activity and effect on testosterone binding. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 1991;42:163-4. PubMed
  5. Srivastava KC. Effect of onion and ginger consumption on platelet thromboxane production in humans. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1989;35:183-5. PubMed
  6. Stewart JJ, Wood MJ, Wood CD, Mims ME. Effects of ginger on motion sickness susceptibility and gastric function. Pharmacology 1991;42:111-20. PubMed
  7. Smith C, Crowther C, Willson K, et al. A randomized controlled trial of ginger to treat nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 2004;103:639-45. PubMed
  8. Portnoi G, Chng LA, Karimi-Tabesh L, et al. Prospective comparative study of the safety and effectiveness of ginger for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;189:1374-7.. PubMed
  9. Wigler I, Grotto I, Caspi D, Yaron M. The effects of Zintona EC (a ginger extract) on symptomatic gonarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2003;11:783-9. PubMed
  10. Ghayur MN, Gilani AH. Ginger lowers blood pressure through blockade of voltage-dependent calcium channels. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2005;45:74-80. PubMed
  11. Thomson M, Al-Qattan KK, Al-Sawan SM, et al. The use of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) as a potential anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic agent. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2002;67:475-8. PubMed
  12. Kanerva L, Estlander T, Jolanki R. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from spices. Contact Dermatitis 1996;35:157-62. PubMed
  13. Akhani SP, Vishwakarma SL, Goyal RK. Anti-diabetic activity of Zingiber officinale in streptozotocin-induced type I diabetic rats. J Pharm Pharmacol 2004;56:101-5.
  14. Kruth P, Brosi E, Fux R, et al. Ginger-associated overanticoagulation by phenprocoumon. Ann Pharmacother 2004;38:257-60. PubMed
  15. Jiang X, Williams KM, Liauw WS, et al. Effect of ginkgo and ginger on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in healthy subjects. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2005;59:425-32. PubMed
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Hawthorn 25 references
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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.

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