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Herbs & Supplements
Absinthe
Scientific Name: Wormwood
Other Names: Ajenjo, Armoise, Artemisia absinthium, Green Ginger, Madderwort, Wermut
What interactions should I watch for?
Prescription Drugs
The effectiveness of drugs that prevent seizures may be decreased if oral wormwood is taken at the same time. Drugs to prevent seizures include:
- carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- Cerebyx
- gabapentin (Neurontin)
- lamotrigine (Lamictal)
- phenobarbital
- phenytoin
If wormwood is taken by mouth, it may increase the production of stomach acid, potentially interfering with Histamine-2 (H-2) receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors.
- Some H-2 receptor blockers are:
- cimetidine (Tagamet)
- famotidine (Pepcid)
- nizatidine (Axid)
- ranitidine (Zantac)
- Some proton pump inhibitors are:
- esomeprazole (Nexium)
- lansoprazole (Prevacid)
- omeprazole (Prilosec)
- pantoprazole (Protonix)
Non-Prescription Drugs
The possibility that wormwood can increase the production of stomach acid could interfere with the effectiveness of antacids and over-the-counter medications such as Pepcid AC, Prilosec OTC, and Zantac AR.
The thujone in wormwood is known to intensify the effects and side effects of drinking alcohol if they are consumed at the same time.
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 wormwood 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?
