Apple cider vinegar is a popular supplement and home remedy, but it can affect your body’s balance when combined with certain medications.
Here’s an overview of the drugs and supplements that may cause problems when taken together with apple cider vinegar.
Diabetes medications
Apple cider vinegar can lower blood sugar, which increases the risk of hypoglycemia when combined with insulin or other diabetes drugs such as metformin or semaglutide.
Risk of low potassium with diabetes medications
Both insulin and apple cider vinegar can lower potassium levels, raising the risk of hypokalemia when used together.
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Diuretics
Water pills such as furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide may already lower potassium.
Combining them with apple cider vinegar raises the risk of serious potassium deficiency.
Heart risk with diuretics
Low potassium may worsen heart problems, making the combination of diuretics and apple cider vinegar especially risky for patients with heart failure or fluid retention.
Ace inhibitors
Drugs like ramipril for blood pressure and heart failure can increase potassium. Apple cider vinegar may interfere with this balance, leading to unstable potassium levels.
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Arbs
Angiotensin receptor blockers such as losartan for blood pressure act similarly to ACE inhibitors and can increase potassium. Apple cider vinegar may complicate this balance further.
Digoxin
This heart medication is prescribed for heart failure and arrhythmias. Apple cider vinegar can worsen the risk of digoxin toxicity by lowering potassium.
Symptoms of digoxin toxicity
Signs include confusion, rapid heartbeat, digestive issues, swelling, breathing difficulties, and vision changes.
Low potassium, worsened by apple cider vinegar, increases these risks.
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Laxatives
Frequent or strong laxative use may reduce potassium levels. Adding apple cider vinegar can heighten the risk of hypokalemia.
Risks of long-term laxative use
Prolonged or excessive laxative use combined with apple cider vinegar can lead to severe imbalances, especially in people with chronic constipation.
Weight loss medications
Drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide lower blood sugar. Apple cider vinegar may intensify this effect, raising the risk of hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemia symptoms
Too low blood sugar can cause dizziness, shaking, sweating, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.
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Apple cider vinegar increases this risk when combined with weight loss drugs.
Aloe vera
This supplement may interact with apple cider vinegar, worsening imbalances in the body.
Cassia cinnamon
In combination with apple cider vinegar, cassia cinnamon may increase the risk of blood sugar and liver-related side effects.
Licorice
Licorice can lower potassium. When paired with apple cider vinegar, the risk of hypokalemia rises.
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Horsetail
This herbal supplement may also increase potassium loss when combined with apple cider vinegar.
Other supplements
Supplements like bitter melon, foxglove (digitalis plants), lily-of-the-valley, senna, and oleander can interact dangerously with apple cider vinegar.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Experts recommend limiting apple cider vinegar to small amounts in food and avoiding vinegar-based supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Topical use on skin
Apple cider vinegar should not be applied directly to the skin, as it may cause irritation or chemical burns.
This article is based on information from Verywell Health.