Turmeric and Amlodipine Interaction

Perioperative Considerations

• The Mayo Clinic recommends holding turmeric for 2 weeks before surgery when taken with amlodipine, as turmeric inhibits platelet aggregation and increases bleeding risk 1
• Turmeric's inhibition of thromboxane metabolism, calcium channel inhibition, thrombin generation, and factor Xa increases bleeding risk, particularly in patients undergoing surgery 1

Clinical Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor blood pressure closely during the first 3 months when patients on amlodipine begin taking turmeric, watching for signs of excessive hypotension, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and syncope 2
• Elderly patients require particularly close monitoring due to increased risk of orthostatic hypotension and falls when taking turmeric with amlodipine 2

Special Populations

• Patients with heart failure can safely use the combination of turmeric and amlodipine, as amlodipine is one of the few calcium channel blockers proven safe in heart failure, according to the American Heart Association 3, 4
• Amlodipine showed safety in severe heart failure in the PRAISE trial, whereas most other calcium channel blockers should be avoided in heart failure due to negative inotropic effects 3