Eleutherococcus senticosus
Scientific Name: Eleuthero
Other Names: Acanthopanax senticosus, Ci Wu Jia, Devil's Bush, Russian Root, Shigoka, Siberian Ginseng, Taiga, Thorny Pepperbush, Touch-Me-Not, Wild Pepper
What interactions should I watch for?
Prescription Drugs
Digoxin is a drug used to increase the force and to decrease the rate at which the heart beats. High digoxin blood levels could cause potentially dangerous changes in heart rhythm. In one reported case, an individual taking eleuthero at the same time as digoxin, developed increased blood levels of digoxin. No serious consequences resulted for the affected individual, and the product being used may have been contaminated with other substances. Individuals who take digoxin should be aware, however, that an interaction is possible between eleuthero and digoxin.
In laboratory studies, eleuthero has been shown to increase 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.
- Antiplatelet agents include clopidogrel and Ticlid
- Anticoagulants include heparin and warfarin
Eleuthero may interfere with insulin and oral drugs for diabetes, such as:
- Actos
- Avandia
- glimepiride
- glipizide
- glyburide
- Glyset
- metformin
- Prandin
- Precose
When eleuthero is taken 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, Sonata, and zolpidem
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, doxepin and nortriptyline
Because it is broken down by certain enzymes in the liver, eleuthero may possibly interfere with the use of prescription drugs that are processed by the same enzymes. Some of these drugs are:
- Allergy drugs such as fexofenadine
- Antifungal drugs such as itraconazole and ketoconazole
- Cancer drugs such as etoposide, paclitaxel, vinblastine, or vincristine
- cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
- Drugs for high cholesterol such as lovastatin
- fluvoxamine
- haloperidol (Haldol)
- Oral contraceptives
- theophylline (Slo-bid, Theo-Dur)
Non-prescription Drugs
Eleuthero can decrease the ability of blood to clot after an injury. Aspirin can also delay clotting, so eleuthero should not be taken at the same time as aspirin.
The sleep-producing effects of over-the-counter products containing diphenhydramine or doxylamine can be enhanced by taking eleuthero 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 eleuthero because excessive drowsiness may result.
Herbal Products
Theoretically, if eleuthero is used with other herbs that affect blood clotting, bleeding may occur. Some of the most common herbal products that might inhibit blood clotting include:
- Danshen
- Devil's Claw
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Ginkgo
- Horse Chestnut
- Panax Ginseng
- Papain
- Red Clover
- Saw Palmetto
Because eleuthero 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:
- Fenugreek
- Ginger (in high amounts)
- Kudzu
- Panax Ginseng
Eleuthero may cause excessive sedation if taken with other sedating herbs such as:
- Catnip
- Hops
- Kava
- St. John's Wort
- Valerian
Foods
Drinking alcohol at the same time as taking eleuthero may result in increased drowsiness.
A few individuals have reported indigestion or altered taste perception after eating spicy or bitter-tasting foods while taking eleuthero.
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 eleuthero 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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What interactions should I watch for?
