What kind of interaction is it?

Caution: an interaction that may reduce efficacy or raise side-effect risk and warrants monitoring.

Is this interaction backed by published research?

Yes. NutriStack lists 2 citation rows for the Berberine + Nifedipine pair, each linking to PubMed by PMID where available. Full sourcing methodology at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/interactions.

Interaction databaseSupplement × PrescriptionReviewed May 2026

Berberine and Nifedipine, a caution.

Q: Can I take Berberine and Nifedipine together?

Possibly, but with caution. Berberine and Nifedipine have a documented caution-tier interaction. Nifedipine relies on CYP3A4 for clearance, and berberine clinically inhibits CYP3A4 after repeated dosing in humans. Co-administration can raise nifedipine exposure, intensify peripheral vasodilation, and produce hypotension, headache, flushing, or reflex tachycardia. Patients on extended-release formulations or who are volume-depleted are most at risk.

Q: How does this affect a NutriStack Stack Score?

-5 to your Stack Score per scored caution row.

Nifedipine relies on CYP3A4 for clearance, and berberine clinically inhibits CYP3A4 after repeated dosing in humans. Co-administration can raise nifedipine exposure, intensify peripheral vasodilation, and produce hypotension, headache, flushing, or reflex tachycardia. Patients on extended-release formulations or who are volume-depleted are most at risk.

2 primary source citations. Moderate evidence. Last verified May 30, 2026.

Open the interaction checker →Read the methodology

One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.

Sourcing standards·Evidence tiers

From the interaction database

What the row says.

Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.

At a glance

Substances: Berberine and Nifedipine
Pair type: Caution
Evidence (highest tier): Moderate
Source citations: 2 sources
Stack Score effect: −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
Scope: Supplement × Prescription
Last verified: May 30, 2026

Caution · Moderate evidence

Caution

What is happening. Nifedipine relies on CYP3A4 for clearance, and berberine clinically inhibits CYP3A4 after repeated dosing in humans. Co-administration can raise nifedipine exposure, intensify peripheral vasodilation, and produce hypotension, headache, flushing, or reflex tachycardia. Patients on extended-release formulations or who are volume-depleted are most at risk.

Mechanism. Nifedipine is metabolized predominantly by CYP3A4. Berberine reduces CYP3A4 activity in humans with repeated dosing, slowing nifedipine clearance and raising plasma levels.

Recommendation. Avoid pairing berberine with nifedipine unless your prescriber agrees. If used together, separate doses by at least 4 hours, check blood pressure and pulse for the first 2 weeks, and stop berberine if you experience flushing, headache, or readings below your usual range.

Minimum separation. 240

Sources (2)

Stack Score

How this pair moves the number.

Effect on the composite score

If both Berberine and Nifedipine are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).

The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.

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