Black Cohosh - Atorvastatin Interaction

Interaction Details

Atorvastatin is classified as belonging to the following category: Hepatotoxic Drugs

Theoretically, taking black cohosh with hepatotoxic drugs may increase the risk of liver damage.
There is concern that black cohosh might be linked to cases of liver failure and autoimmune hepatitis.

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

• Whiting PW, Clouston A, Kerlin P. Black cohosh and other herbal remedies associated with acute hepatitis. Med J Aust 2002;177:440-3.
• Lontos S, Jones RM, Angus PW, Gow PJ. Acute liver failure associated with the use of herbal preparations containing black cohosh. Med J Aust 2003;179:390-1..
• Cohen SM, O'Connor AM, Hart J, et al. Autoimmune hepatitis associated with the use of black cohosh: a case study. Menopause 2004;11:575-7.
• Vitetta L, Thomsen M, Sali A. Black cohosh and other herbal remedies associated with acute hepatitis. Med J Aust 2003;178:411-2..
• Cohen B, Schardt D. Center for Science in the Public Interest. Letter to Food and Drug Administration. Commissioner Mark McClellan, MD, PhD. March 4, 2004.
• Levitsky J, Alli TA, Wisecarver J, Sorrell MF. Fulminant liver failure associated with the use of black cohosh. Dig Dis Sci 2005;50:538-9.
• MHRA. Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) - risk of liver problems. Herbal Safety News July 2006. Available at: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&useSecondary= true&ssDocName=CON2024131&ssTargetNodeId=663.
• Lynch CR, Folkers ME, Hutson WR. Fulminant hepatic failure associated with the use of black cohosh: a case report. Liver Transpl 2006;12:989-92.
• Brar HS, Marathi R. Case of cholestatic drug-induced liver injury (DILI) associated with black cohosh. BMJ Case Rep 2021;14(5):e240408.

Interaction Details

Atorvastatin is classified as belonging to the following category: Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide Substrates (Oatp)

Black cohosh may inhibit one form of OATP, OATP2B1, which could reduce the bioavailability and clinical effects of OATP2B1 substrates.
In vitro research shows that black cohosh modestly inhibits OATP2B1. OATPs are expressed in the small intestine and liver and are responsible for the uptake of drugs and other compounds into the body. Inhibition of OATP may reduce the bioavailability of oral drugs that are substrates of OATP.

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

• Fuchikami H, Satoh H, Tsujimoto M, Ohdo S, Ohtani H, Sawada Y. Effects of herbal extracts on the function of human organic anion-transporting polypeptide OATP-B. Drug Metab Dispos 2006;34:577-82.

Interaction Details

Atorvastatin is classified as belonging to the following category: Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

Taking black cohosh with atorvastatin might increase the risk for elevated liver function tests.
In one case report, a patient taking atorvastatin (Lipitor) developed significantly elevated liver function enzymes after starting black cohosh 100 mg four times daily. Liver enzymes returned to normal when black cohosh was discontinued. It is unclear whether the elevated liver enzymes were due to black cohosh itself or an interaction between atorvastatin and black cohosh.

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

• Patel NM, Derkits RM. Possible increase in liver enzymes secondary to atorvastatin and black cohosh administration. J Pharm Pract 2007;20:341-6.

Atorvastatin Overview

• Atorvastatin is used together with diet, weight loss, and exercise to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and to decrease the chance that heart surgery will be needed in people who have heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease. Atorvastatin is also used to decrease the amount of fatty substances such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol ('bad cholesterol') and triglycerides in the blood and to increase the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ('good cholesterol') in the blood. Atorvastatin may also be used to decrease the amount of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood in children and teenagers 10 to 17 years of age who have familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia (an inherited condition in which cholesterol cannot be removed from the body normally). Atorvastatin is in a class of medications called HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). It works by slowing the production of cholesterol in the body to decrease the amount of cholesterol that may build up on the walls of the arteries and block blood flow to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body.

• Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats with atorvastatin has been shown to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks.

Black Cohosh - More Interactions

Black Cohosh interacts with 509 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.