Food and medicine interaction
Echinacea and caffeine, and medicines broken down the same way (by the CYP1A2 enzyme)
ProbableEvidence level: probable. Case reports in people plus a known mechanism, but no controlled studies.
Last reviewed
What can happen
Echinacea may make caffeine last longer in the body. In 12 healthy volunteers, 8 days of echinacea root (400 mg four times a day) reduced caffeine clearance; NCCIH describes the interaction as theoretical.
- Why it happens
- Echinacea slows CYP1A2, the liver enzyme that breaks down caffeine and some medicines.
- At ordinary food amounts
- The study used supplement doses of echinacea root. Your usual coffee is the caffeine side; the change was modest.
What to do
If you notice jitters or poor sleep while taking echinacea with your usual coffee, cut back on caffeine. If you take a prescription medicine, ask your pharmacist whether echinacea is a problem for it.
Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without talking to the prescriber.
Common questions
Can I have echinacea while taking caffeine and CYP1A2 medicines?
If you notice jitters or poor sleep while taking echinacea with your usual coffee, cut back on caffeine. If you take a prescription medicine, ask your pharmacist whether echinacea is a problem for it. The study used supplement doses of echinacea root. Your usual coffee is the caffeine side; the change was modest.