While the majority of medicinal uses of cayenne pepper are based in folk medicine, modern scientific studies have deemed this herb to be effective at reducing pain as well as helping with other medical conditions. Typically, cayenne pepper is applied topically as an ointment or taken as an oral supplement, and while this is a natural herb cayenne pepper can cause adverse health reactions when taken alongside certain prescription medications.
If you are currently taking any medications and are considering adding a cayenne pepper topical or oral supplement, talk with your doctor to determine its safety and potential side effects.
Cayenne Active Compound:
Before getting into the specific type of medications cayenne pepper can interact with, it is imperative to know what the active compound of cayenne is and how it reacts with your body.
The primary active constituent of cayenne pepper is a substance known as capsaicin. Scientists believe that this compound provides cayenne with its pain-numbing qualities. When capsaicin is first introduced to your body, it works by prohibiting the secretion of substance P. this substance is classified as a neurotransmitter and its primary responsibilities is to relay pain messages from the site of pain to your brain.
When you deplete this chemical, pain is temporarily reduced. Preliminary scientific studies have also found that the oral consumption of capsaicin can reduce the severity of cluster headache pain, relieve generalized pain, enhance blood circulation, promote weight loss as well as treat psoriasis.
Cayenne and ACE Inhibitors:
ACE inhibitors, or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, are used to reduce high blood pressure as well as treat certain types of heart failure and treat the early stages of diabetes. The ACE enzyme is naturally found within your body, and its primary responsibility is to constrict your arteries.
The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and CareGroup found that capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne, has the potential to widen and relax arterial walls.
Because ACE inhibitors already work to relax and widen blood vessels, when cayenne is combined with this medication your blood pressure levels may drop to dangerously low levels. There is also a substantial risk of developing a serious cough when capsaicin is taken alongside an ACE inhibitor.
Stomach Acid Reducers:
According to information published by the University of Maryland Medical Center, capsaicin has the ability to increase the production of stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid production, capsaicin may hinder the effectiveness of over-the-counter and prescription stomach acid reducers.
If you are on a stomach acid reducer, it is best if you completely avoid cayenne pepper as both a supplement and a food ingredient.
Sedatives:
Per the information stated above, capsaicin has the ability to widen and relax blood vessels. As capsaicin dilates your blood vessels, it allows a higher degree of medication to flow throughout your body. By doing so, cayenne can increase the sedation properties of sedatives, which can be dangerous.
References Used:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/cayenne–000230.htm
University of Maryland Medical Center: Cayenne
http://home.caregroup.org/clinical/altmed/interactions/Drug_Classes/ACE_Inhibitors.htm
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and CareGroup: ACE Inhibitors
http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69162.cfm
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Capsaicin