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Herbs & Supplements
Apricot Vine
Scientific Name: Passion Flower
Other Names: Corona de Cristo, Granadilla, Maypop, Passiflora incarnata, Passion Vine, Water Lemon
What interactions should I watch for?
Prescription Drugs
Passion flower contains chemicals that may interfere with the ability of blood platelets to stick together, thereby potentially increasing the time blood needs to clot. When it is taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, the effect of the drug may be increased, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding.
- Antiplatelets include clopidogrel and Ticlid
- Anticoagulants include heparin and warfarin
When passion flower is used with prescription drugs that promote sedation, the effects of the drug may be exaggerated, resulting in drowsiness or confusion. 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 Rozerem, Sonata, and zolpidem
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, doxepin, and nortriptyline
Because it may block the effects of the enzyme monoamine oxidase, passion flower may possibly increase the effects and the risk of side effects from prescription drugs that also interfere with monoamine oxidase. These drugs, known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), include:
- Marplan
- Nardil
- selegiline (Eldepryl)
- tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Selegiline (Eldepryl) and rasagiline (Azilect), drugs which are related to the MAOI antidepressants and which are used to treat Parkinson's disease, also should not be taken with passion flower.
Non-prescription Drugs
The anti-platelet effect of passion flower may decrease the ability of blood to clot after an injury. Aspirin can also delay clotting, so passion flower should not be taken orally at the same time as aspirin.
The sleep-producing effects of over-the-counter products containing diphenhydramine or doxylamine may be enhanced by taking passion flower 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 passion flower because excessive drowsiness may result.
Herbal Products
Theoretically, if passion flower is used with other herbs that affect blood clotting, bleeding may occur. Some of the most common herbal products that might inhibit blood clotting are:
- Danshen
- Devil's Claw
- Eleuthero
- Garlic
- Ginger (in high amounts)
- Ginkgo
- Horse Chestnut
- Panax Ginseng
- Papain
- Red Clover
- Saw Palmetto
Although it is commonly sold as combination preparations with one or more other sleep-producing herbals, passion flower may cause excessive sedation if it is taken with other potentially sedating herbs such as:
- Catnip
- Hops
- Kava
- St. John's Wort
- Valerian
Foods
No interactions between passion flower and foods have been reported, but drinking alcohol at the same time as using passion flower 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 passion flower 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?
