Overview

White pepper grows in tropical Asian countries. Black pepper and white pepper both come from the same plant. But they are prepared differently. Black pepper is made by cooking the dried unripe fruit. White pepper is made by cooking and drying the ripe seeds.

People take white pepper by mouth to treat upset stomach, diarrhea, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

White pepper is added to foods and drinks to add flavor.

White pepper essential oil is used in aromatherapy.

How does it work ?

White pepper contains a chemical called piperine. This chemical seems to have many effects in the body. It seems to reduce pain, improve breathing, and reduce inflammation. Piperine also seems to improve brain function, but it is not clear how.

White pepper contains a chemical called piperine. This chemical seems to have many effects in the body. It seems to reduce pain, improve breathing, and reduce inflammation. Piperine also seems to improve brain function, but it is not clear how.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

More evidence is needed to rate white pepper for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: White pepper is LIKELY SAFE when taken in amounts commonly found in foods.

White pepper is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken appropriately as medicine. White pepper might cause an allergic reaction in some patients, although this is rare. White pepper might also cause a burning aftertaste. Piperine, a component of white pepper, has been reported to cause fast heart rate, nausea, headache, coughing, sneezing, and runny nose when used as a nasal spray.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: White pepper is LIKELY SAFE when taken in amounts commonly found in foods.

White pepper is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken appropriately as medicine. White pepper might cause an allergic reaction in some patients, although this is rare. White pepper might also cause a burning aftertaste. Piperine, a component of white pepper, has been reported to cause fast heart rate, nausea, headache, coughing, sneezing, and runny nose when used as a nasal spray.
Pregnancy: White pepper is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if taking white pepper as medicine or applying white pepper oil to the skin is safe while pregnant. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Breast-feeding: White pepper is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if taking white pepper as medicine is safe while breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Children: White pepper is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in foods. It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in large amounts. Deaths have been reported in children.

Bleeding conditions: Piperine, a chemical in white pepper, might slow blood clotting. In theory, taking white pepper in amounts greater than those in food might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Diabetes: White pepper might affect blood sugar levels. In theory, taking white pepper in amounts greater than those in food might affect blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Dosing adjustments for diabetes medications might be needed.

Surgery: Piperine, a chemical in white pepper, might slow blood clotting and affect blood sugar levels. In theory, white pepper might cause bleeding complications or affect blood sugar levels during surgery. You should stop taking white pepper in amounts greater than those in food at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

  • Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) substrates) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2B1 (CYP2B1) substrates) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

  • Lithium interacts with WHITE PEPPER

  • Nevirapine (Viramune) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

  • Medications moved by pumps in cells (P-Glycoprotein Substrates) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

  • Pentobarbital (Nembutal) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

  • Phenytoin (Dilantin) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

    White pepper might increase how much phenytoin the body absorbs. Taking white pepper along with phenytoin might increase the effects and side effects of phenytoin.

  • Propranolol (Inderal) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

    White pepper might increase how much propranolol the body absorbs. Taking white pepper along with propranolol might increase the effects and side effects of propranolol.

  • Rifampin (Rifadin) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

  • Theophylline interacts with WHITE PEPPER

    Minor Interaction

    Be watchful with this combination

  • Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

  • Cefotaxime (Claforan) interacts with WHITE PEPPER

Dosing

The appropriate dose of white pepper depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for white pepper (in children/in adults). Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.