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Herbs & Supplements
Alant
Scientific Name: Elecampane
Other Names: Elf Dock, Elfwort, Horse-elder, Horseheal, Inula helenium, Pushkarmoola, Scabwort, Velvet Dock, Wild Sunflower, Yellow Starwort
What interactions should I watch for?
Prescription Drugs
When elecampane is used with prescription drugs that promote sleepiness, the effects of the drug may be exaggerated, resulting in sedation or mental impairment. Prescription drugs that can cause sleepiness include:
- Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, phenytoin and valproic acid
- Barbiturates such as phenobarbital
- Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam and diazepam
- Drugs for insomnia such as Lunesta, Rozerem, zaleplon, and zolpidem
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, doxepin, and nortriptyline
Elecampane may increase the blood sugar lowering effects of insulin and oral drugs for diabetes, such as:
- acarbose
- Actos
- Avandia
- glimepiride
- glipizide
- glyburide
- Glyset
- metformin
- Prandin
Due to its possible ability to lower blood pressure, elecampane is believed to increase the effects of drugs that also lower blood pressure. Some blood pressure-lowering drugs include:
- ACE inhibitors such as captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, and lisinopril
- Beta blockers such as atenolol, metoprolol, and propranolol
- Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine, nifedipine, and verapamil
- Diuretics such as Dyazide, furosemide, and hydrochlorothiazide
Non-prescription Drugs
The sleep-producing effects of over-the-counter products containing diphenhydramine or doxylamine can be enhanced by taking elecampane at the same time. Diphenhydramine and doxylamine are contained in many non-prescription sleeping pills as well as in some cough and cold products, therefore caution should be used when taking these medications with elecampane because excessive drowsiness may result.
Herbal Products
Elecampane may cause excessive sedation if it is taken with other potentially sedating herbs such as:
- Catnip
- Hops
- Kava
- St. John's Wort
- Valerian
Because elecampane may decrease blood sugar levels, taking it with other blood sugar-lowering herbal products may result in hypoglycemia--blood sugar that is too low. Herbals that may reduce blood sugar include:
- Eleuthero
- Fenugreek
- Ginger (in high amounts)
- Kudzu
- Panax Ginseng
Foods
No interactions between elecampane and foods have been reported, but drinking alcohol at the same time as using elecampane by mouth may result in increased drowsiness.
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 elecampane 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?
