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Herbs & Supplements
American Coneflower
Scientific Name: Echinacea
Other Names: Black Sampson, Comb Flower, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, Echinacea purpurea, Hedgehog, Indian Head, Purple Coneflower, Rudbeckia, Sampson Head, Scurvy Root, Snakeroot
What interactions should I watch for?
Because it can enhance immune system function, echinacea may interfere with the effects of drugs used to suppress the immune system after organ transplants or in other conditions. Taking echinacea is not recommended for patients who take drugs such as:
- azathioprine (Imuran)
- CellCept
- cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
- Prograf
- Rapamune
- Zenapax
Because it is broken down by certain enzymes in the liver, echinacea may possibly interfere with the effects of drugs and supplements that are processed by the same enzymes. Individuals who are not sure whether a drug they take will interact with echinacea should ask a doctor or pharmacist before beginning to use echinacea. All non-prescription and herbal products should be mentioned as well as prescription medications.
Some of the prescription drugs that might be affected by echinacea are:
- Allergy drugs such as fexofenadine
- Antifungal drugs such as itraconazole and ketoconazole
- Cancer drugs such as etoposide, paclitaxel, vinblastine, or vincristine
- Drugs for high cholesterol such as lovastatin
- midazolam (Versed)
- Oral contraceptives
Results from a very small study of healthy individuals show that echinacea may delay the body's breakdown of caffeine. Results of this potential interaction are not thought to be severe, but individuals using both caffeine and echinacea may experience fast heart beat, insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, and other side effects of caffeine.
Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how echinacea interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.
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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.
This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.
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What interactions should I watch for?
