Meta Information
ID:ashwagandha
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-2.0
Interactions
Target id:
/condition/pregnancy
Target name:
Pregnancy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Ashwagandha has been traditionally associated with abortifacient properties and its safety during pregnancy has not been established.
Actionable advice:
Avoid completely during pregnancy.
Target id:
/procedure/surgery-general-anesthesia
Target name:
Surgery with General Anesthesia
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
336
Hours after target:
null
Description:
Ashwagandha's sedative effects can combine with anesthesia and other medications used during surgery, potentially causing excessive central nervous system depression.
Actionable advice:
Discontinue use at least 2 weeks before any scheduled surgery.
Target id:
/condition/hyperthyroidism
Target name:
Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Ashwagandha may increase thyroid hormone levels (T3 and T4), potentially worsening the symptoms and biochemical state of hyperthyroidism.
Actionable advice:
Avoid completely if you have an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
Target id:
/intervention/levothyroxine_systemic_disease
Target name:
Thyroid Hormone Medication (e.g., Levothyroxine)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Ashwagandha may increase the production of thyroid hormones, which can lead to an excessive, additive effect when combined with thyroid replacement therapy, risking thyrotoxicosis.
Actionable advice:
Avoid taking with thyroid medication unless under strict medical supervision with regular thyroid function monitoring.
Target id:
/class/cns-depressants
Target name:
CNS Depressants (e.g., Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates, Alcohol)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Ashwagandha has calming and sedative properties which can be amplified when taken with other central nervous system depressants, leading to excessive drowsiness or respiratory depression.
Actionable advice:
Use with caution and consult a healthcare provider before combining with sedative medications or alcohol.
Target id:
/class/immunosuppressants
Target name:
Immunosuppressant Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Ashwagandha may enhance immune system activity, potentially counteracting the effects of medications designed to suppress the immune system, such as those used after organ transplants.
Actionable advice:
Avoid use if you are taking immunosuppressant medications.
Target id:
/condition/autoimmune-disease
Target name:
Autoimmune Diseases (e.g., RA, Lupus, MS)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
By potentially increasing immune system activity, ashwagandha could exacerbate symptoms of autoimmune conditions where the immune system is already overactive.
Actionable advice:
Use with caution and under medical supervision if you have an autoimmune condition.
Target id:
/class/antidiabetic-medications
Target name:
Diabetes Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Ashwagandha can lower blood glucose levels, potentially causing an additive effect with diabetes medications that could lead to hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar).
Actionable advice:
Monitor blood sugar closely and consult a doctor before combining with diabetes medications.
Target id:
/class/antihypertensives
Target name:
Antihypertensive Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Ashwagandha may have a mild blood pressure-lowering effect, which could be amplified when taken with antihypertensive drugs, potentially causing hypotension (low blood pressure).
Actionable advice:
Monitor blood pressure and consult a doctor before combining with blood pressure medications.
Target id:
/condition/hepatic-impairment
Target name:
Hepatic Impairment (Liver Disease)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Rare cases of liver injury have been reported with ashwagandha use; individuals with pre-existing liver conditions may be at higher risk.
Actionable advice:
Use with caution and under medical supervision if you have liver disease.
Target id:
/condition/hemochromatosis
Target name:
Hemochromatosis (Iron Overload)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Ashwagandha root contains significant amounts of iron, which could contribute to iron overload in individuals with hemochromatosis.
Actionable advice:
Avoid use if you have hemochromatosis.
Target id:
/condition/peptic-ulcer-disease
Target name:
Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Ashwagandha, particularly in large doses, can irritate the gastrointestinal lining, potentially worsening symptoms of peptic ulcer disease.
Actionable advice:
Avoid use if you have an active peptic ulcer.
Target id:
/condition/lactation
Target name:
Breastfeeding (Lactation)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
There is insufficient reliable information about the safety of taking ashwagandha while breastfeeding; its components may pass into breast milk.
Actionable advice:
Avoid use while breastfeeding due to a lack of safety data.
Target id:
/intervention/digoxin
Target name:
Digoxin
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
assay_interference
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Components in ashwagandha may cross-react with the laboratory test (immunoassay) for digoxin, leading to a falsely high reading of the drug's level in the blood.
Actionable advice:
Inform your healthcare provider you are taking ashwagandha if you are on digoxin therapy.
Target id:
/circadian/sleep
Target name:
Going to Sleep
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
1
Hours after target:
null
Description:
Ashwagandha's anxiolytic and GABAergic properties may help improve sleep quality and reduce the time it takes to fall asleep when taken in the evening.
Actionable advice:
Consider taking your dose in the evening, about an hour before bedtime, to support sleep.
Target id:
/dietary/meal
Target name:
Any Caloric Meal
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Taking ashwagandha with food can help prevent potential gastrointestinal upset, which may occur when taken on an empty stomach.
Actionable advice:
Take with a meal to minimize the risk of stomach discomfort.
Target id:
/class/cyp3a4-substrates
Target name:
Drugs Metabolized by CYP3A4
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Some evidence suggests ashwagandha may induce the CYP3A4 enzyme, potentially increasing the metabolism and reducing the effectiveness of drugs that are substrates for this enzyme.
Actionable advice:
Be aware of potential reduced efficacy for CYP3A4 substrate drugs; consult a pharmacist.
Target id:
/class/cyp2c9-substrates
Target name:
Drugs Metabolized by CYP2C9 (e.g., Warfarin)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Some in-vitro evidence suggests ashwagandha may inhibit the CYP2C9 enzyme, potentially slowing the metabolism and increasing the levels of drugs like warfarin.
Actionable advice:
Use with caution if taking drugs metabolized by CYP2C9, especially those with a narrow therapeutic index.