American Ginseng - Interferon Alfa-2b Interaction
Herbal: American Ginseng
Also Known As: Panax quinquefolius, Anchi Ginseng, Baie Rouge, Ginseng, Ginseng Occidental, Ginseng Root, North American Ginseng, Occidental Ginseng, Ontario Ginseng, Panax Quinquefolia, Panax Quinquefolium, Red Berry, Ren Shen, Sang, Shang, Shi Yang Seng, Wisconsin Ginseng
Drug: Interferon Alfa-2b
Brand names:
Rebetron, Intron A, Viraferon
Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
May 25, 2025
Interaction Details
There were no interactions found between Interferon Alfa-2b and American Ginseng. This does not mean the potential for an interaction does not exist, however. There is often a lack of studies and data surrounding traditional medicine, especially concerning drug interactions, so it is important to always consult your provider before making any changes to your medication regimen.
American Ginseng Overview
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is a type of plant that is native to the eastern United States. It is a member of the Araliaceae family and is closely related to Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng). American ginseng has a long history of use in traditional medicine and is believed to have a number of potential health benefits.
American ginseng is often referred to as an "adaptogen," which means that it may help the body to adapt to stress and improve overall well-being. It is commonly used to improve energy and mental clarity, and it has been suggested that it may have potential benefits for immune function, heart health, and diabetes management.
American ginseng dietary supplements are generally standardized to contain 0.052% to 15% total ginsenosides, a group of compounds found in the plant.
Interferon Alfa-2b Overview
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Interferon alfa-2b injection is used to treat a number of conditions.
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Interferon alfa-2b injection is used
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alone or in combination with ribavirin (Copegus, Rebetol, Ribasphere) to treat chronic (long-term) hepatitis C infection (swelling of the liver caused by a virus) in people who show signs of liver damage,
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to treat chronic hepatitis B infection (swelling of the liver caused by a virus) in people who show signs of liver damage,
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to treat hairy cell leukemia (a white blood cell cancer),
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to treat genital warts,
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to treat Kaposi's sarcoma (a type of cancer that causes abnormal tissue to grow on different parts of the body) related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS),
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to treat malignant melanoma (a cancer that begins in certain skin cells) in certain people who have had surgery to remove the cancer,
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along with another medication to treat follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL; a slow-growing blood cancer).
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Interferon alfa-2b is in a class of medications called immunomodulators. Interferon alfa-2b works to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) by decreasing the amount virus in the body. Interferon alfa-2b may not cure hepatitis B or hepatitis C or prevent you from developing complications from these infections such as cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver failure, or liver cancer. It also may not prevent the spread of hepatitis B or C to other people. It is not known exactly how interferon alfa-2b works to treat cancer or genital warts.
American Ginseng - More Interactions
American Ginseng interacts with 206 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.
| Major | The combined use of these agents is strongly discouraged as serious side effects or other negative outcomes could occur. |
| Moderate | Use cautiously under the care of a healthcare professional or avoid this combination. A significant interaction or negative outcome could occur. |
| Minor | Be aware that there is a chance of an interaction. Watch for warning signs of a potential interaction. |
| Unknown | No interactions have been reported or no interaction data is currently available. |
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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.
© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Drug descriptions are provided by MedlinePlus.
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Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
In addition to being a clinical pharmacist specializing in pharmacotherapy, Dr. Brian Staiger is a registered herbalist through the American Herbalist Guild. He has combined his passion for pharmacy practice with the study of medical ethnobotany to improve patient care. Feel free to reach out about any of your herbal or medication questions!
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