Ashwagandha - Rituxan (Rituximab) Interaction

Interaction Details

Rituximab is classified as belonging to the following category: Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, taking ashwagandha might decrease the effects of immunosuppressants.
Ashwagandha has demonstrated immunostimulant effects in humans. Animal research has shown that ashwagandha can attenuate the immunosuppression caused by cyclophosphamide.

Interaction Rating

Likelihood of Occurrence

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists

References

• Upton R, ed. Ashwagandha Root (Withania somnifera): Analytical, quality control, and therapuetic monograph. Santa Cruz, CA: American Herbal Pharmacopoeia 2000:1-25.
• Davis L, Kuttan G. Effect of Withania somnifera on cyclophosphamide-induced urotoxicity. Cancer Lett 2000;148:9-17.
• Davis L, Kuttan G. Suppressive effect of cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity by Withania somnifera extract in mice. J Ethnopharmacol 1998;62:209-14.
• Mishra LC, Singh BB, Dagenais S. Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha): a review. Altern Med Rev 2000;5:334-46.
• Tharakan A, Shukla H, Benny IR, Tharakan M, George L, Koshy S. Immunomodulatory Effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) Extract-A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial with an Open Label Extension on Healthy Participants. J Clin Med 2021;1

Rituximab Overview

• Rituximab injection products are used in adults alone or with other medications to treat various types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL; a type of cancer that begins in a type of white blood cells that normally fights infection). Rituximab injection products are also used in adults with other medications to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; a type of cancer of the white blood cells). Rituximab injection products (Rituxan, Ruxience, Truxima) are also used in adults with methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Xatmep, others) to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA; a condition in which the body attacks its own joints, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function) in adults who have already been treated with a certain type of medication called a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. Rituximab injection products (Rituxan, Riabni, Ruxience, Truxima) are also used in adults and children 2 years of age and older along with other medications to treat granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis) and microscopic polyangiitis, which are conditions in which the body attacks its own veins and other blood vessels, which causes damage to organs, such as the heart and lungs. Rituximab injection (Rituxan) is used to treat pemphigus vulgaris (a condition that causes painful blisters on the skin and the lining the mouth, nose, throat and genitals). Rituximab injection products are in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. They treat the various types of NHL and CLL by killing cancer cells. Certain rituximab injection products also treat rheumatoid arthritis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis, and pemphigus vulgaris by blocking the activity of the part of the immune system that may damage the joints, veins, and other blood vessels.

Ashwagandha - More Interactions

Ashwagandha interacts with 1326 drugs

Interaction Rating Key

These severity listings are for informational use only. Never start, stop or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.