Oregano - Liraglutide Interaction

Interaction Details

Liraglutide is classified as belonging to the following category: Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, oregano might increase the risk for hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
In vitro and animal research shows that oregano extracts might lower blood glucose levels.

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

Pharmacist Analysis

Several studies suggest that oregano supplements may help lower blood glucose (i.e., sugar) levels. In vitro and animal research has shown that oregano extracts might stimulate glucose uptake and reduce blood glucose levels.

For example, a study on diabetic rats found that oregano oil significantly decreased blood glucose levels, increased insulin levels, and improved glucose tolerance.

Therefore, based on the available evidence, combining oregano oil with antidiabetic drugs could potentially cause blood sugar levels to drop too low, leading to hypoglycemia.

However, it is important to note that studies reporting that oregano can reduce blood glucose levels have not reported it causing hypoglycemia.

Nevertheless, a theoretical interaction remains here due to the potential additive blood-sugar-lowering effects of oregano and certain antidiabetic drugs.

It should be noted that some drugs may be riskier than others.

A drug like metformin, a very commonly used oral drug for diabetes, has a very low risk of hypoglycemia, and combining it with oregano wouldn't generally be considered dangerous.

Other drugs, like insulin and sulfonylureas, (e.g., glipizide), carry a higher risk of hypoglycemia and may put you more at risk of your blood sugar dropping too low if you take oregano. It's certainly possible dosage adjuments may be needed if oregano is combined with them.

Be sure to talk to your doctor and don't make any changes to your medication regimen before doing so.

References

• Lemhadri, A., Zeggwagh, N. A., Maghrani, M., Jouad, H., and Eddouks, M. Anti-hyperglycaemic activity of the aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare growing wild in Tafilalet region. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004;92(2-3):251-256.
• McCue, P., Vattem, D., and Shetty, K. Inhibitory effect of clonal oregano extracts against porcine pancreatic amylase in vitro. Asia Pac.J Clin.Nutr. 2004;13(4):401-408.
• Silva MLAE, Lucarini R, Dos Santos FF, et al. Hypoglycemic effect of rosmarinic acid-rich infusion (RosCE) from Origanum vulgare in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Nat Prod Res 2022;36(17):4525-4531.

Liraglutide Overview

• Liraglutide injection (Victoza) is used with a diet and exercise program to control blood sugar levels in adults and children 10 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) when other medications did not control levels well enough. Liraglutide injection (Victoza) is also used to reduce the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart and blood vessel disease. Liraglutide injection (Victoza) is not used to treat type 1 diabetes (condition in which the body does not produce insulin and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) or diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious condition that may develop if high blood sugar is not treated) in adults. Liraglutide injection (Saxenda) is used along with a reduced calorie diet and exercise plan to help certain adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh 132 pounds (60 kg) or more and who are obese or who are overweight and have weight-related medical problems to lose weight and to keep from gaining back that weight. Liraglutide injection (Saxenda) is not used to treat type 2 diabetes. Liraglutide injection is in a class of medications called incretin mimetics. It works by helping the pancreas to release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. Insulin helps move sugar from the blood into other body tissues where it is used for energy. Liraglutide injection also slows the emptying of the stomach and may decrease appetite and cause weight loss.

• Over time, people who have diabetes and high blood sugar can develop serious or life-threatening complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, nerve damage, and eye problems. Using medication(s), making lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise, quitting smoking), and regularly checking your blood sugar may help to manage your diabetes and improve your health. This therapy may also decrease your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes-related complications such as kidney failure, nerve damage (numb, cold legs or feet; decreased sexual ability in men and women), eye problems, including changes or loss of vision, or gum disease. Your doctor and other healthcare providers will talk to you about the best way to manage your diabetes.

Oregano - More Interactions

Oregano interacts with 202 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.