Food and medicine interaction
Echinacea and immunosuppressants, such as cyclosporine after a transplant
TheoreticalEvidence level: theoretical. Suggested by how the food and the drug work, or by lab data. Not shown in people.
Last reviewed
What can happen
Echinacea is thought to stimulate parts of the immune system, which could work against drugs meant to suppress it. Its effects on cyclosporine levels have not been shown consistently.
- Why it happens
- Proposed immune stimulation, plus possible minor effects on drug-metabolizing enzymes seen in human studies.
- At ordinary food amounts
- Echinacea is used as a supplement or tea, not a food; any regular use counts.
What to do
If you take an immunosuppressant, do not use echinacea without your transplant or specialist team's approval. A review of cyclosporine interactions advises avoiding combined use.
Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without talking to the prescriber.
Common questions
Can I have echinacea while taking immunosuppressants?
If you take an immunosuppressant, do not use echinacea without your transplant or specialist team's approval. A review of cyclosporine interactions advises avoiding combined use. Echinacea is used as a supplement or tea, not a food; any regular use counts.
Sources
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Echinacea: Usefulness and Safety.
- Colombo D, et al. Cyclosporine and herbal supplement interactions. J Toxicol. 2014. PMID 24527031.
- Gurley BJ, et al. In vivo assessment of botanical supplementation on human cytochrome P450 phenotypes. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2004. PMID 15536458.