Papaver somniferum

Poppy/Drug Interactions:

  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: Based on secondary sources, Papaver somniferum contains opioid alkaloids that have activity at endogenous opioid receptors in the brain; narcotic analgesics, such as morphine, also act at these receptors. Concurrent use may have additive effects.
  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: Poppy produced the antimicrobial benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid sanguinarine, a compound that has demonstrated strong bactericidal effects on Gram-positive bacteria (74; 123).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In animal study, poppy seeds were found to demonstrate antineoplastic effects (124; 125; 126; 127). In human study, Lipiodol? containing doxorubicin and mitomycin C increased the disease-free survival rate but had no effect on cumulative survival rates and curves, as compared with no treatment (128). In human study, SM-11355, a cisplatin derivative, displayed high affinity for iodized ethyl esters of fatty acids of poppy seed oil (129).
  • BenzodiazepinesBenzodiazepines: Based on a review, poppy has been used to alleviate anxiety (25). Concurrent use may have additive effects.
  • CNS depressantsCNS depressants: According to a review, Papaver somniferum may have sedative properties (82). Concurrent use may have additive effects and increase the risk of respiratory depression and other adverse effects.
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In animal study, the tissue distribution of cyclosporine A and poppy seed oil (lipid-based) was found to be similar to another liposomal preparation (unspecified) (130).
  • Opiate agonistsOpiate agonists: Poppy contains morphine, an opiate alkaloid (131), and concurrent use with opiate agonists may have additive effects.

    • Poppy/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AnalgesicsAnalgesics: Based on secondary sources, Papaver somniferum contains opioid alkaloids that have activity at endogenous opioid receptors in the brain; narcotic analgesics, such as morphine, also act at these receptors. Concurrent use may have additive effects.
  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: Poppy produced the antimicrobial benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid sanguinarine, a compound that has demonstrated strong bactericidal effects on Gram-positive bacteria (74; 123).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In animal study, poppy seeds were found to demonstrate antineoplastic effects (124; 125; 126; 127). In human study, Lipiodol? containing doxorubicin and mitomycin C increased the disease-free survival rate but had no effect on cumulative survival rates and curves, as compared with no treatment (128). In human study, SM-11355, a cisplatin derivative, displayed high affinity for iodized ethyl esters of fatty acids of poppy seed oil (129).
  • AnxiolyticsAnxiolytics: Based on a review, poppy has been used to alleviate anxiety (25). Concurrent use may have additive effects.
  • ImmunomodulatorsImmunomodulators: In animal study, the tissue distribution of cyclosporine A and poppy seed oil (lipid-based) was found to be similar to another liposomal preparation (unspecified) (130).
  • SedativesSedatives: According to secondary sources, Papaver somniferum may have sedative properties (82). Concurrent use may have additive effects and increase the risk of respiratory depression and other adverse effects.

    • Poppy/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Poppy/Lab Interactions:

  • Contrast agentsContrast agents: Poppy seed oil has been reported as a contrast agent for detection of Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (132) and for the detection of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), a marker of myocardial damage (133).
  • Opioid drug testingOpioid drug testing: The drug opium is obtained from the unripe fruit of the poppy (seed pods) rather than the seeds themselves, which are the main source of opium alkaloids (morphine, codeine, and papaverine) (13). All parts of the poppy plant contain morphine and codeine (29), and eating foods with poppy seeds has been shown to result in a false positive for opiates in a drug test in humans and animals (30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38; 39; 40; 41; 42; 43; 29; 44; 45).
  • Using Roche Abuscreen radioimmunoassay (RIA) to screen various poppy seed foods known to cause a positive opiate urinalysis, poppy seed cake, bagels, muffins, and rolls did not contain sufficient quantities of poppy seeds to give rise to opiate positive specimens by U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) GC-MS cutoff levels (morphine=4000ng/mL, codeine=2000ng/mL), although a number of specimens were positive by National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) cutoff levels (morphine and codeine=300ng/mL) (47). However, ingestion of poppy seed streusel or Danish pastry led to confirmed morphine- and codeine-positive specimens, irrespective of the use of DOD or NIDA confirmation cutoff values. In addition, significant amounts of codeine were observed in a number of these specimens.