Drug/Herb Interaction Chart


In the process of compiling this chart it became very clear that a lot of the information available was in error and/or sloppily put together. Herbal Insight's intention is to provide as accurate of information as possible. Hence, this chart will be a work in progress. If you are aware of any inaccuracies please contact us and give us your information and we will verify it and update the chart.

As we have stated elsewhere on this site...All matters regarding your physical health should be supervised by a trained professional. Be sure to give your doctor a list of the herbs and supplements you are taking. Check with your pharmacist since they often have better, more recent knowledge of herb-drug interaction.

Herb Drug Trade Names Type of reaction 
Alfalfa None None Caution: the amino acid l-canavanine, found in alfalfa seeds and sprouts but not the mature tops, may aggravate lupus. Large amounts can "thin the blood." Can increase the rate of metabolism of xenobiotic drugs.
Aloe, Aloe Vera Corticosteriods AeroBid, Azmacort, Cortisone-like drugs, Flonase, Nasacort, Prednisone, Steriods, etc Supports drug function. Topically will enhance the hormone’s anti-inflammatory properities.
  Glyburide Diabeta, Micronase, Pres Tab, etc Supports drug function. Often improves blood sugar and lipid levels  for diabetics.
  Digoxin Lanoxin May have adverse drug interaction. May cause dangerously low potassium levels
American Ginseng None None None
Arnica Warfarin Anticoagulant, Coumadin, Warfarin  No interactions with topical arnica preparations have been reported. However, it is considered a poisonous plant (deaths have occurred). If taken internally it would possibly interact with the anticoagulant Coumadin.
Ashwagadha None None None
Asian Ginseng Warfarin Anticoagulant, Coumadin, Warfarin  May have adverse drug interaction. Reports suggest that ginseng may affect parameters of bleeding.
  Influenza Vaccine Flu Vaccine, FluShield, Fluvirin, Fluzone, Influenza Virus Vaccine Supports drug function Helps increase antibody levels after vaccination. 
. Ticlopidine Ticlid, Ticlopidine May have adverse drug interaction. Reports suggest that ginseng may affect parameters of bleeding.
Astragalus None None None
Barberry Tetracycline Achromycin, Helidac, Sumycin, Tetracycline May interfere with drug absorption.
  Doxycycline Doxycycline, Vibramycin May have adverse drug interaction
Billberry None None High levels of tannins in bilberry leaf could interfere with the absorption of iron
Bitter Melon None None None
Blackberry None None None
Black Cohosh None None Although no interactions have been reported it would seem illogical, however, to mix black cohosh with standard HRT (harmone replacement therapy) regimens, as it could prove incompatible.
Black Walnut Ephedrine Adrenaline, Bronkaid Mist, Citanest Forte, Epifrin, Primatine Mist, etc. May reduce drug absorption
Blessed Thistle None None None
Bloodroot None None None
Blueberry None None None
Blue Cohosh None None None
Boneset None None None
Boswellia None None None
Brigham Tea **See Ephedra    
Bugleweed Thyroid Hormones Animal Thyroid, Cytomel, Levothroid, Liotrix, Synthetic Liothyronine, Thyroglobulin, Thyrolar, etc. Adverse drug interaction. May interfere with Thyroid Hormone action.
Burdock None None None
Butcher’s Broom None None None
Calendula None None None
Carob None None None
Cascara Sagrada Digoxin Lanoxin May have adverse drug interaction. Can cause dangerously low potassium levels
  Loop Diuretics Bumex, Edecrin, Lasix, Torsemide, etc May have adverse drug interaction. Can cause dangerously low potassium levels
  Hydrochlorothiazide Timolol May have adverse drug interaction. Can cause dangerously low potassium levels
Catnip None None None
Cat’s Claw None None None
Cayenne Aspirin Alka-Seltzer, Anacin, Emprin with Codeine, Percodan, Soma Compound, etc Supports drug function. May protect against damage to the stomach from aspirin.
Chamomile Warfarin Anticoagulant, Coumadin, Warfarin  No interactions have been reported, but in theory the coumarins in chamomile might cause undue blood thinning. Careful monitoring of bleeding time is recommended if chamomile is to be used with anticoagulants.
Chickweed None None None
Cinnamon None None None
Cranberry Lansoprazole Lansoprazole, Prevacid Supports drug function
  Omeprazole Losec, Omeprazole, Prilosec May help reduce side effects
Cranesbill None None None
Damiana None None None
Dandelion Thiazide Diuretics Aldactazide, Apresazide, Chlorothiazide, Diuril, HCTZ, Maxzide, Oretic, Vaseretic, Ziac, etc Adverse drug interaction
  Spironolactone Aldactazide, Aldactone Adverse drug interaction
. Loop Diuretics Bumex, Edecrin, Lasix, Torsemide, etc Adverse drug interaction
. Triamterene Dyazide, Dyrenium, Maxzide Adverse drug interaction
Devil’s Claw Warfarin Anticoagulant, Coumadin, Warfarin May have adverse drug interaction (bleeding under the skin)
. Ticlopidine Ticlid, Ticlopidine May have adverse drug interaction
Dong quai Heparin Anticoagulant May have adverse drug interaction
  Warfarin Anticoagulant, Coumadin, Warfarin May have adverse drug interaction
  Ticlopidine Ticlid, Ticlopidine May have adverse drug interaction
Echinacea Chemotherapy Cancer Chemotherapy, Chemotherapy May help restore immune function
 . Econazole Econazole, Spectazole Supports drug function
. Ketoconazole Nizoral Since echinacea stimulates the immune system, it may alter the effects of  ketoconazole
Elderberry None None None
Ephedra
(Ma huang, Brigham Tea, Mormon Tea, & Desert Tea)
Ephedra contains a stimulant that is potentially dangerous for people with high blood pressure.   .
. Phenylpropanolamine Acutrim, Contac 12 Hour, Dex-A-Diet, Dexatrim, Dimetapp, PPA, Robitussin CF, Unitrol, etc May have adverse drug interaction
 . Ephedrine Adrenaline, Bronkaid Mist, Citanest Forte, Epifrin, Primatine Mist, etc. Adverse drug interaction
 . Corticosteriods AeroBid, Azmacort, Cortisone-like drugs, Flonase, Nasacort, Prednisone, Steriods, Vancenase, etc May have adverse drug interaction. Can reduce drug absorption
 . Caffeine Anacin, Darvon Compound, NoDoz, Vivarin Adverse drug interaction
 . Epinephrine Bronkaid Mist, Brontin Mist, Primatene Mist,  May have adverse drug interaction
 . Phenelzine Nardil May have adverse drug interaction
Eyebright None None None
False Unicorn None None None
Fennel None None None
Fenugreek Insulin Animal-Source Insulin, Human Insulin, Iletin, Novolin, etc. Supports drug function
 . Heparin Anticoagulant May have adverse drug interaction
 . Warfarin Anticoagulant, Coumadin, Warfarin May have adverse drug interaction
 . Glipizide Glucotrol,  May have adverse drug interaction
 . Ticlopidine Ticlid May have adverse drug interaction
Feverfew None None None
Fo-Ti None None None
Garlic Warfarin Anticoagulant, Coumadin, Warfarin May have adverse drug interaction
 . Ticlopidine Ticlid May have adverse drug interaction
. Gemfibrozil
 
 

 

Apo-Gemfibrozil, Gemcor, Gem-Gemfibrozil, Lopid, Med-Gemfibrozil, Novo-Gemfibrozil, PMS-Gemfibrozil May have adverse drug interaction. (There are no studies to support this but the combination is not recommended.)
Gentian None None None
Ginger Warfarin Anticoagulant, Coumadin, Warfarin May have adverse drug interaction
 . Chemotherapy Cancer Chemotherapy, Chemotherapy May help reduce side effects
 . Heparin Anticoagulant Adverse drug interaction
 . Ticlopidine Ticlid May have adverse drug interaction
  Major Anesthetic  Major Anesthetics Helps reduce side effects
Ginkgo biloba Thiazide Diuretics Aldactazide, Apresazide, Chlorothiazide, Diuril, HCTZ, Maxzide, Oretic, Vaseretic, Ziac, etc Adverse drug interaction
. Heparin Anticoagulant May have adverse drug interaction
 . Warfarin Anticoagulant, Coumadin, Warfarin May have adverse drug interaction
 . Ticlopidine Ticlid May have adverse drug interaction
 . Cyclosporine Neoral, Sandimmune May help reduce side effects
 . Fluvoxamine Faurin, Luvox May help reduce side effects
 . Fluoxetine Prozac Helps reduce side effects
 . Paroxetine Paxil Helps reduce side effects
 . Sertraline Zoloft Helps reduce side effects
Goldenseal Tetracycline Achromycin, Helidac, Sumycin May have adverse drug interaction. May interfere with drug absorption.
 . Doxycycline Vibramycin May have adverse drug interaction
Gotu Kola None None None
Gravel Root Thiazide Diuretics Aldactazide, Apresazide, Chlorothiazide, Diuril, HCTZ, Maxzide, Oretic, Vaseretic, Ziac, etc Adverse drug interaction
 . Spironolactone Aldactazide, Aldactone Adverse drug interaction
 . Loop Diuretics Bumex, Edecrin, Lasix, Torsemide, etc Adverse drug interaction
 . Triamterene Dyazide, Dyrenium, Maxzide Adverse drug interaction
Guggul None None None
Gymnema Insulin Animal-Source Insulin, Human Insulin, Iletin, Novolin, etc. May have adverse drug interaction
 . Glyburide Diabeta, Micronase, Pres Tab, etc May have adverse drug interaction
 . Glipizide Glucotrol,  May have adverse drug interaction
Hawthorn Digoxin Lanoxin May have adverse drug interaction
Hops None None None
Horseradish None None None
Horsetail Thiazide Diuretics Aldactazide, Apresazide, Chlorothiazide, Diuril, HCTZ, Maxzide, Oretic, Vaseretic, Ziac, etc Adverse drug interaction
 . Spironolactone Aldactazide, Aldactone Adverse drug interaction
 . Loop Diuretics Bumex, Edecrin, Lasix, Torsemide, etc Adverse drug interaction
 . Triamterene Dyazide, Dyrenium, Maxzide Adverse drug interaction
Horse Chestnut Heparin Anticoagulant May have adverse drug interaction
 . Warfarin Anticoagulant, Coumadin, Warfarin May have adverse drug interaction
 . Ticlopidine Ticlid May have adverse drug interaction
Juniper Thiazide Diuretics Aldactazide, Apresazide, Chlorothiazide, Diuril, HCTZ, Maxzide, Oretic, Vaseretic, Ziac, etc Adverse drug interaction
  Spironolactone Aldactazide, Aldactone Adverse drug interaction
  Loop Diuretics Bumex, Edecrin, Lasix, Torsemide, etc Adverse drug interaction
  Triamterene Dyazide, Dyrenium, Maxzide Adverse drug interaction
Kava Benzodiazepines  Ativan, BusparBuspirone, Clonazepam, Flurazepam, Librium, Restoril, Triazolam, Valium, Xanax, etc. Adverse drug interaction
Kudzu None None None
Lavender None None None
Lemon Balm Thyroid Hormones Animal Thyroid, Cytomel, Levothroid, Liotrix, Synthetic Liothyronine, Thyroglobulin, Thyrolar, etc. Adverse drug interaction. May interfere with Thyroid Hormone action.
Licorice Aspirin Alka-Seltzer, Anacin, Emprin with Codeine, Percodan, Soma Compound, etc Supports drug function
  Interferon Actimmune, Intron, Weferon, etc. Supports drug function.
  Ibuprofen Advil, Feldene, Motrin, Voltarol, etc Helps reduce/prevent side effects
  Corticosteriods AeroBid, Azmacort, Cortisone-like drugs, Flonase, Nasacort, Prednisone, Steriods, Vancenase, etc Internally-May have adverse drug interaction
Externally-May support drug function
  Thiazide Diuretics Aldactazide, Apresazide, Chlorothiazide, Diuril, HCTZ, Maxzide, Oretic, Vaseretic, Ziac, etc Adverse drug interaction
  Naproxen Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan Naprosyn Naproxen, Naproxen Sodium Helps reduce/prevent side effects
  Loop Diuretics Bumex, Edecrin, Lasix, Torsemide, etc Adverse drug interaction
  Oxaprozin Daypro Helps reduce/prevent side effects
  Digoxin Lanoxin May have adverse drug interaction. Can cause dangerously low potassium levels
  Etodolac Lodine Helps reduce/prevent side effects
  Isoniazid INH, Laniazid, Rifamate, Rimactane  May support drug function
  Nabumetone Relafen Helps reduce/prevent side effects
Ligustrum None None None
Lomatium None None None
Ma huang **See Ephedra    
Maitake None None None
Marshmallow None None None
Milk Thistle Acetaminophen Alka-Seltzer Plus, Darvocet, Nyquil, Theraflu, Tylenol, Vicodin, etc. Helps reduce/prevent side effects (specifically to the liver)
  Major Anesthetic  Major Anesthetics Helps protect against liver damage
  Chemotherapy Cancer Chemotherapy, Chemotherapy May support function of Chemotherapy drugs cisplatin & doxorubicin
  Clofibrate Atromid-S Helps reduce/prevent side effects (specifically to the liver)
  Metronidazole Flagyl, Helidac, Protostat Helps protect against liver damage
  Haloperidol Haldol Helps protect against liver damage
  Lovastatin Mevacor Helps protect against liver toxicity
  Pravastatin Pravachol Helps protect against liver toxicity
Mormon Tea **See Ephedra    
Mullein None None None
Myrrh None None None
Nettle None None None
Oak Ephedrine Adrenaline, Bronkaid Mist, Citanest Forte, Epifrin, Primatine Mist, etc. May reduce drug absorption
  Theophylline Aminophylline, Primatene Dual Action, Slo-Bid, Truphylline, Uniphyl, etc. May reduce drug absorption
  Atropine Isopto Atropine May reduce drug absorption
  Codeine Emprin with Codeine, Phenergan with Codeine, Robitussin AC, Soma Compound with Codeine, Tylenol with Codeine May reduce drug absorption
Oats None None None
Oregon Grape Tetracycline Achromycin, Helidac, Sumycin, Tetracycline May interfere with drug absorption.
  Doxycycline Doxycycline, Vibramycin May have adverse drug interaction
Passion Flower None None None
Pau D’arco None None None
Peppermint Cisapride Propulsid May interfere with drug function.
Phyllanthus None None None
Psyllium Lithium Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate, Lithotabs May interfere with drug function by decreasing Lithium blood levels.
Pygeum None None None
Red Clover Heparin Anticoagulant May have adverse drug interaction
  Warfarin Anticoagulant, Coumadin, Warfarin May have adverse drug interaction
  Conjugated Estrogens Premarin, Prempro May have adverse drug interaction
  Ticlopidine Ticlid May have adverse drug interaction
Red Raspberry Ephedrine Adrenaline, Bronkaid Mist, Citanest Forte, Epifrin, Primatine Mist, etc. May reduce drug absorption
  Theophylline Aminophylline, Primatene Dual Action, Slo-Bid, Truphylline, Uniphyl, etc. May reduce drug absorption
  Atropine Isopto Atropine May reduce drug absorption
  Codeine Emprin with Codeine, Phenergan with Codeine, Robitussin AC, Soma Compound with Codeine, 
Tylenol with Codeine
May reduce drug absorption
Red Yeast Rice
 

 

Gemfibrozil
 

 

Apo-Gemfibrozil, Gemcor, Gem-Gemfibrozil, Lopid, Med-Gemfibrozil, Novo-Gemfibrozil, PMS-Gemfibrozil May have adverse drug interaction

 

. Lovastatin
 

 

Apo-Lovastatin, Mevacor
 

 

May have adverse drug interaction.  (May cause rhabdomyolysis, a potentially life-threatening muscle disease.)
Reishi None None None
Rosemary None None None
Sage None None None
Sandalwood None None None
Sarsaparilla None None None
Saw Palmetto None None Caution: Saw Palmetto works by anti-androgenic and anti-inflammatory actions.  The combination of this herb and Finasteride  has not been studied, but both drugs appear to work by different mechanisms.
Schisandra Acetaminophen Alka-Seltzer Plus, Darvocet, Nyquil, Theraflu, Tylenol, Vicodin, etc. May help protect against liver damage.
Scullcap or Skullcap None None None
Senna Senna Black-Draught, Gentlax, Senna-Gen, Senolax, etc. May cause  low potassium levels if used longer than 10 days.
  Digoxin Lanoxin May cause  low potassium levels & possible toxicity
Shiitake Didanosine DDI, Dideoxyinosine, Videx Supports drug function. May improve CD4 immune cell count.
Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero) Warfarin Anticoagulant, Coumadin, Warfarin  May have adverse drug interaction. Reports suggest that ginseng may affect parameters of bleeding.
  Influenza Vaccine Flu Vaccine, FluShield, Fluvirin, Fluzone, Influenza Virus Vaccine Supports drug function.  Helps reduce/prevent side effects
  Ticlopidine Ticlid, Ticlopidine May have adverse drug interaction
  Chemotherapy Cancer Chemotherapy, Chemotherapy Melanoma- may help with toxicity.
Breast Cancer- supports improved immune function.
  Digoxin Lanoxin May increase digoxin levels.
Slippery Elm None None None
Stevia None None None
St John’s Wort Tricyclic Antidepressants Amitriptyline, Doxepin, Norpramin, Tofranil, etc. Although no interactions have been reported it would be best to avoid using this drug with St. John’s wort unless you are under the supervision of a qualified healthcare 
professional.
  Trazodone Desyrel Although no interactions have been reported it would be best to avoid using this drug with St. John’s wort unless you are under the supervision of a qualified healthcare 
professional.
  Venlafaxine Effexor Although no interactions have been reported it would be best to avoid using this drug with St. John’s wort unless you are under the supervision of a qualified healthcare 
professional.
  Fluvoxamine Faurin, Luvox May have adverse drug interaction
  Fluoxetine Prozac Adverse drug interaction
  Paroxetine Paxil Adverse drug interaction
  Sertraline Zoloft Adverse drug interaction
  Nefazodone Serzone Although no interactions have been reported it would be best to avoid using this drug with St. John’s wort unless you are under the supervision of a qualified healthcare 
professional.
  Phenelzine Nardil May have adverse drug interaction
Tea Tree None None None
Turmeric None None None
Usnea None None None
Uva ursi Ephedrine Adrenaline, Bronkaid Mist, Citanest Forte, Epifrin, Primatine Mist, etc. May reduce drug absorption
  Atropine Isopto Atropine May reduce drug absorption
  Codeine Emprin with Codeine, Phenergan with Codeine, Robitussin AC, Soma Compound with Codeine, Tylenol with Codeine May reduce drug absorption
  Theophylline Aminophylline, Primatene Dual Action, Slo-Bid, Truphylline, Uniphyl, etc. May reduce drug absorption
  Thiazide Diuretics Aldactazide, Apresazide, Chlorothiazide, Diuril, HCTZ, Maxzide, Oretic, Vaseretic, Ziac, etc Adverse drug interaction
  Spironolactone Aldactazide, Aldactone Adverse drug interaction
  Loop Diuretics Bumex, Edecrin, Lasix, Torsemide, etc Adverse drug interaction
  Triamterene Dyazide, Dyrenium, Maxzide Adverse drug interaction
Valerian None None None
Vitex None None None
White Willow Bismuth Subsalicylate Bismatrol, BSS, Helidac, Pepto-Bismol May have adverse drug interaction
  Ticlopidine Ticlid, Ticlopidine May have adverse drug interaction
Wild Cherry None None None
Wild Indigo None None None
Wild Yam None None None
Witch Hazel Ephedrine Adrenaline, Bronkaid Mist, Citanest Forte, Epifrin, Primatine Mist, etc. May reduce drug absorption
  Atropine Isopto Atropine May reduce drug absorption
  Codeine Emprin with Codeine, Phenergan with Codeine, Robitussin AC, Soma Compound with Codeine, Tylenol with Codeine May reduce drug absorption
  Theophylline Aminophylline, Primatene Dual Action, Slo-Bid, Truphylline, Uniphyl, etc. May reduce drug absorption
Wormwood None None None
Yarrow None None None
Yellow Dock None None None
Yohimbe Fluvoxamine Faurin, Luvox May support drug function
Yucca None None None
 

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