The short answer
Possibly. In a small study from Jammu, six healthy volunteers took propranolol on its own, and again after a week of daily piperine, the compound that gives pippali (long pepper) and black pepper their bite. With piperine, propranolol reached the blood sooner and at higher levels.
The study used purified piperine, not pippali churna or capsules, and the piperine in pippali products varies. Only six people took propranolol, and the paper reports drug levels, not pulse or blood pressure. If you take propranolol, tell your prescribing doctor before you start anything with pippali, black pepper extract or piperine, and mention any dizziness or fainting.
Propranolol is sold in India as Ciplar, and in the US as Inderal.
At a glance
| What was seen | How it may work | Direction | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earlier peak, higher peak level and higher total exposure of propranolol[1] | Not established | More propranolol in the blood | Small clinical study |
No listing is not a clearance. A missing interaction here never means a combination is safe.
The evidence, study by study
Trial in healthy volunteers, Jammu, 1991 Small clinical study
Six healthy volunteers took a single 40 mg dose of propranolol alone, and again after taking 20 mg of piperine daily for seven days. With piperine, propranolol peaked earlier, and both its peak level and its total exposure (AUC) were higher. The abstract does not say how large the changes were. It reports drug levels only, and a separate group of six took theophylline instead.[1]
What your doctor may watch for
- Your pulse and blood pressure, and any dizziness or fainting after you start a product with piperine, pippali or black pepper extract.
What to tell your prescribing doctor
You can read this out, or show them this page:
“I am taking, or planning to take, a product that contains pippali, black pepper or piperine (name of product, dose) along with propranolol. A small study found piperine raised propranolol levels. Should my pulse and blood pressure be checked?”
Withheld until review
Questions people ask
Can I take turmeric with propranolol?
This study tested piperine, not turmeric. But if your turmeric product lists piperine, BioPerine or black pepper extract on the label, it contains the compound that raised propranolol levels here. Show the label to your prescribing doctor.[1]
Does black pepper in food count?
We found no study of pepper in food with propranolol. The volunteers here took purified piperine every day for a week, which is a different exposure from pepper in dal or rasam.[1]
Will taking them a few hours apart prevent it?
The study did not test timing, so there is no evidence that spacing them apart helps. Ask your prescribing doctor.[1]
Related
Pippali, black pepper and theophylline
In one small study, a week of piperine, the compound in pippali and black pepper, raised theophylline levels and slowed its clearance.
InteractionPippali, black pepper and phenytoin
Piperine, the compound in pippali and black pepper, raised phenytoin blood levels in two small Indian studies. Phenytoin has a narrow safe range.
InteractionGuggulu with propranolol or diltiazem
In a small study of healthy men, one dose of gugulipid lowered blood levels of propranolol and of diltiazem. That could weaken their effect.
Sources
Updated 4 November 2026
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