Tamarind

Tamarind/Drug Interactions:

  • Anti-coagulants and analgesics (acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, NSAIDs)Anti-coagulants and analgesics (acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, NSAIDs): According to clinical trial, case study, and laboratory study, combined use of tamarind and anticoagulants or analgesics may increase the risk of bleeding, due to increased bioavailability of these drugs (29; 16; 15; 17; 30).
  • Hypoglycemics/hyperglycemicsHypoglycemics/hyperglycemics: According to animal studies, tamarind may lower blood sugar levels (3; 19).
  • LaxativesLaxatives: The fruit pulp may have mild laxative properties, but heat may cause loss of this effect.
  • Topical ophthalmic antibioticsTopical ophthalmic antibiotics: Concurrent use of tamarind and topical ophthalmic antibiotics may result in a synergistic effect. According to an animal study, a mucoadhesive polymer extracted from tamarind seed improved the intraocular penetration and efficacy of rufloxacin in topical treatment of experimental bacterial keratitis (9). Gentamicin and ofloxacin viscosified with the tamarind seed polysaccharide produced antibiotic concentrations both in the aqueous humour and cornea that were significantly higher than those achieved with the drugs alone (31). Tamarind seed polysaccharide prolongs the precorneal residence times of antibiotics and enhances drug accumulation in the cornea, probably by reducing the washout of topically administered drugs (9; 31).
  • VasoconstrictorsVasoconstrictors: Concomitant use of vasoconstrictors and tamarind may cause a potential additive interaction. The extract of the seed coat of Tamarindus indica inhibited nitric oxide production by murine macrophages in vitro and in vivo (18).

    • Tamarind/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • Anti-coagulantsAnti-coagulants: According to clinical trial, case study, and laboratory study, combined use may increase the risk of bleeding, due to increased bioavailability of the anti-coagulant constituents of herbs (29; 16; 15; 17; 30).
  • Hypoglycemics/hyperglycemicHypoglycemics/hyperglycemic: According to animal studies, tamarind may lower blood sugar levels (3; 19).
  • LaxativesLaxatives: The fruit pulp may have mild laxative properties, but heat may cause loss of this effect.
  • VasoconstrictorsVasoconstrictors: Concomitant use of vasoconstrictors and tamarind may cause a potential additive interaction. The extract of the seed coat of Tamarindus indica inhibited nitric oxide production by murine macrophages in vitro and in vivo (18).

    • Tamarind/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Tamarind/Lab Interactions:

  • CreatinineCreatinine: Consumption of tamarind may lead to a decrease in creatinine excretion (5).
  • FluorideFluoride: Consumption of tamarind may lead to an increase in fluoride excretion (5).
  • MagnesiumMagnesium: Consumption of tamarind may lead to a decrease in magnesium excretion (5).
  • Nitric oxideNitric oxide: Extract of the seed coat of Tamarindus indica inhibited nitric oxide production by murine macrophages in vitro and in vivo (18).
  • Prothrombin timeProthrombin time: Combined use of tamarind and anti-coagulants or analgesics may decrease prothrombin time (29; 16; 15; 17; 30).
  • Serum glucoseSerum glucose: Based on animal studies, tamarind may lower blood sugar levels (3; 19).
  • ZincZinc: Consumption of tamarind may lead to significant decrease in zinc excretion (5).