Background

Breadfruit is a tree. The seeds and fruit of breadfruit are eaten as foods. The roots, leaves, and latex are used to make medicine.

Breadfruit is used for arthritis, asthma, back pain, wound healing, ear infections, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: The fruit and seed of breadfruit are LIKELY SAFE when used in food amounts.

There isn't enough information available to know if breadfruit is safe as a medicine or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of breadfruit as a medicine during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Bleeding disorders: There is concern that breadfruit might increase the risk of bleeding. Don't use breadfruit as a medicine if you have a bleeding disorder.

Allergies: Breadfruit might cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to bananas or Benjamin fig.

Hypotension: Breadfruit might lower blood pressure. This might cause blood pressure to drop too low in people who already have low blood pressure.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of breadfruit 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 breadfruit. 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.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) substrates)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Breadfruit might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking breadfruit along with some medications that are broken down by the liver may increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking breadfruit, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include amiodarone (Cardarone), paclitaxel (Taxol), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren) and ibuprofen (Motrin), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Breadfruit might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking breadfruit along with some medications that are broken down by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of some medications.
Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), amiodarone (Cordarone), citalopram (Celexa), felodipine (Plendil), lansoprazole (Prevacid), ondansetron (Zofran), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), sertraline (Zoloft), sibutramine (Meridia), and many others.

Medications changed by the liver (Glucuronidated drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Breadfruit might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking breadfruit along with some medications that are broken down by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of these medications.
Some of these medications changed by the liver include acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and oxazepam (Serax), haloperidol (Haldol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), morphine (MS Contin, Roxanol), zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir), and others.

Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Breadfruit might lower blood pressure. Taking breadfruit along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.
Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Breadfruit might slow blood clotting. Taking breadfruit along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure: Breadfruit might lower blood pressure. There is some concern that combining breadfruit with other herbs or supplements that also lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to drop too low. Some of these herbs and supplements include andrographis, casein peptides, cat's claw, coenzyme Q10, fish oil, L-arginine, lycium, stinging nettle, theanine, and others.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Breadfruit might slow blood clotting. Taking breadfruit along with other herbs or supplements that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Some of these herbs include angelica, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, and others.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

Breadfruit might lower blood pressure by decreasing heart rate and weakening the force of heart muscle contractions.