Meta Information
ID:capsaicin
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-2.0
Interactions
Target id:
/dietary/meal
Target name:
Any Caloric Meal
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
requirement
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Taking capsaicin on an empty stomach can cause significant gastric irritation, burning, and discomfort. Consuming it with food, especially a meal containing fat, buffers the stomach lining and improves tolerance.
Actionable advice:
Always take capsaicin supplements with a meal to prevent stomach upset.
Target id:
/condition/peptic-ulcer-disease
Target name:
Peptic Ulcer Disease or Severe GERD
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Capsaicin is a strong irritant to the gastrointestinal mucosa and can significantly worsen the pain, inflammation, and damage associated with peptic ulcers or severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Actionable advice:
Avoid capsaicin supplements completely if you have active peptic ulcer disease or severe GERD.
Target id:
/procedure/surgery
Target name:
Upcoming Surgery
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
336
Hours after target:
null
Description:
Capsaicin may have antiplatelet effects that can inhibit blood clotting and increase the risk of excessive bleeding during and after a surgical procedure.
Actionable advice:
Stop taking capsaicin supplements at least 2 weeks before any scheduled surgery.
Target id:
/class/anticoagulants-antiplatelets
Target name:
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Capsaicin may inhibit platelet aggregation, potentially creating an additive effect with blood-thinning medications (e.g., warfarin, clopidogrel, aspirin) that increases the overall risk of bleeding and bruising.
Actionable advice:
Consult your doctor before using capsaicin if you take any blood-thinning medications.
Target id:
/class/antihypertensives
Target name:
Antihypertensive Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Capsaicin can have a dual effect on blood pressure, sometimes causing an acute increase upon ingestion before a potential long-term lowering effect. This can interfere with the management of blood pressure and may enhance the effects of antihypertensive drugs, increasing the risk of hypotension.
Actionable advice:
Monitor blood pressure closely when starting capsaicin if you are taking medication for hypertension.
Target id:
/class/ace-inhibitors
Target name:
ACE Inhibitors
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Both capsaicin (via TRPV1 receptor activation) and ACE inhibitors are known to cause a persistent dry cough as a side effect. Using them together can significantly increase the likelihood and severity of this cough.
Actionable advice:
Be aware that taking capsaicin with an ACE inhibitor may significantly worsen cough.
Target id:
/class/antidiabetic-medications
Target name:
Diabetes Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Capsaicin may improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose levels. When combined with diabetes medications (e.g., metformin, insulin, sulfonylureas), this can increase the risk of hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar).
Actionable advice:
Monitor blood glucose levels carefully if you combine capsaicin with diabetes medication.
Target id:
/class/acid-suppressors
Target name:
Gastric Acid Suppressors
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
Acid-reducing medications (like PPIs or H2 blockers) can cause the protective enteric coating on capsaicin capsules to dissolve prematurely in the stomach instead of the intestine, leading to intense burning and irritation.
Actionable advice:
Separate capsaicin doses from acid-suppressing medications by at least 2 hours.
Target id:
/dietary/hot-foods-beverages
Target name:
Hot Beverages
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0.5
Hours after target:
0.5
Description:
Consuming hot liquids with or near the time of taking an enteric-coated capsaicin capsule can cause the coating to dissolve too early in the esophagus or stomach, resulting in severe burning and discomfort.
Actionable advice:
Avoid drinking hot beverages for 30 minutes before and after taking capsaicin.
Target id:
/intervention/theophylline
Target name:
Theophylline
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
High-dose capsaicin has been shown to increase the absorption and bioavailability of theophylline, a medication for respiratory diseases, potentially leading to toxic levels in the blood.
Actionable advice:
Avoid high-dose capsaicin supplements if you are taking theophylline.
Target id:
/condition/pregnancy
Target name:
Pregnancy
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
The safety of high-dose capsaicin supplements during pregnancy has not been established. Due to a lack of data, it is not recommended.
Actionable advice:
Avoid capsaicin supplements during pregnancy.
Target id:
/condition/lactation
Target name:
Breastfeeding (Lactation)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
It is unknown if capsaicin or its metabolites pass into breast milk in significant amounts or what effect they might have on a nursing infant. Therefore, supplementation should be avoided.
Actionable advice:
Avoid capsaicin supplements while breastfeeding.
Target id:
/class/herbal-anticoagulants
Target name:
Herbal Anticoagulants/Antiplatelets
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Capsaicin's potential antiplatelet effects may be additive with other supplements that thin the blood, such as ginkgo, high-dose garlic, ginger, and fish oil, theoretically increasing bleeding risk.
Actionable advice:
Use caution when combining capsaicin with other supplements known to affect blood clotting.
Target id:
/intervention/ginger
Target name:
Ginger
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Ginger possesses gastroprotective properties that may help mitigate the stomach irritation sometimes caused by capsaicin, while also sharing complementary anti-inflammatory and metabolic benefits.
Actionable advice:
Consider taking capsaicin with ginger to potentially reduce GI side effects and enhance benefits.
Target id:
/condition/hepatic-impairment
Target name:
Hepatic Impairment
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Capsaicin is metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver. Its clearance may be altered in individuals with significant liver dysfunction, although this is largely theoretical.
Actionable advice:
Use with caution if you have been diagnosed with significant liver disease.