CoQ10 Drug Interactions

It may not be safe to take certain medications with CoQ10. Drug interactions can occur when the dietary supplement is taken with blood pressure medications, chemotherapy medicines, and warfarin. Some of these drug interactions with CoQ10 can cause problems, such as lowering your blood pressure too much, decreasing the effectiveness of the medications, or increasing your risk of blood clots.

 

An Introduction to CoQ10 Drug Interactions

Even though it is a dietary supplement, not a "drug," CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10) can potentially interact with a few medicines. Some of the medicines that may lead to CoQ10 drug interactions include:
 
  • Blood pressure medications
  • Chemotherapy medications
  • Warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®).
 

CoQ10 Interactions Explained

The following sections explain in detail the potentially negative interactions that can occur when CoQ10 is combined with any of the drugs listed above.
 
 
Blood Pressure Medications
Combining CoQ10 with a high blood pressure medication may lower your blood pressure too much, possibly causing dizziness, lightheadedness, or other problems. If you take blood pressure medicine, check with your healthcare provider before taking CoQ10, as your blood pressure may need to be monitored more closely.
 
Chemotherapy Medications
There is some thought that CoQ10 may help prevent heart damage caused by certain chemotherapy medications. However, there is also some concern that CoQ10 could make chemotherapy less effective. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before combining CoQ10 with chemotherapy.
 
Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
CoQ10 may decrease the effectiveness of warfarin, possibly increasing your risk of blood clots. Check with your healthcare provider before taking warfarin and CoQ10 together. Your healthcare provider may want to monitor you more closely, especially when starting or stopping CoQ10, or changing your CoQ10 dosage.
 
(CoQ10 Drug Interactions Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;