Clubmoss Interactions Overview
Check For Interactions With Clubmoss
Clubmoss
- Lycopodium clavatum
- Club Moss
- Common Clubmoss
- Common Club Moss
- Lycopode
- Lycopode en Massue
- Licopodio
- Lycopodium
- Running Clubmoss
- Running Pine
- Shen Jin Cao
- Stags Horn
- Vegetable Sulfur
- Witch Meal
- Wolfs Claw
Additional Details
Is Clubmoss Safe? Are There Any Warnings?
Clubmoss is considered possibly unsafe when used orally due to the presence of toxic alkaloids, although no poisonings have been reported. It is advised to avoid using clubmoss during pregnancy and lactation.
Pharmacokinetics
There is insufficient reliable information available about the pharmacokinetics of clubmoss.
Mechanism of Action
Clubmoss contains potentially toxic alkaloids, including lycopodine, dihydrolycopodine, and traces of nicotine. It has several potential mechanisms of action:
- Acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity: Clubmoss has cholinesterase inhibiting effects and is being studied for its potential use in Alzheimer's disease. In vitro research suggests that the constituents alpha-onocerin and lyclavatol found in clubmoss have cholinesterase inhibiting activity, which may help improve symptoms in Alzheimer's patients.
- Anti-inflammatory activity: Animal research indicates that lycopodine, an alkaloid constituent of clubmoss, has anti-inflammatory effects comparable to indomethacin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Please note that further research is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms of action of clubmoss.
Interactions with Drugs
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors: Clubmoss extract may inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity, and combining it with other AChE inhibitors can potentially have additive effects and increase the risk of cholinergic side effects. Caution is advised when using clubmoss with drugs like bethanechol, donepezil, and tacrine.
Anticholinergic drugs: Clubmoss extract may also inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity, so concurrent use with anticholinergic drugs could decrease the effectiveness of clubmoss or the anticholinergic agent.
Cholinergic drugs: Concurrent use of clubmoss with other cholinergic drugs may have additive effects and increase the risk of cholinergic side effects. This includes drugs like neostigmine, physostigmine, and edrophonium.
Common Side Effects to Watch For
No adverse effects have been reported from the oral use of clubmoss. However, due to the potentially toxic alkaloids present, caution is advised.
Are Supplements Standardized?
There is insufficient reliable information available about the standardization of clubmoss supplements.
Note that additional research is needed to determine the effectiveness of clubmoss for various uses.
Drugs that interact with Clubmoss
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Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.
DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
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