Drug & supplement interaction

Andrographis + Metaxalone

Metaxalone brand name: Skelaxin.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 13, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Andrographis and Metaxalone in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Andrographis and Metaxalone

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Metaxalone and Andrographis in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Andrographis safety at a glance

Andrographis overall Use caution Often well tolerated short-term, but quality of products and long-term safety are not well established.
Pregnancy Possibly Unsafe When used orally. Andrographis is thought to have abortifacient effects; avoid using. Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Avoid Not enough safety information, so avoid use while breastfeeding.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Metaxalone and Andrographis? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Metaxalone

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Metaxalone is filed under 2 classifications — skeletal muscle relaxants, oral drugs. Andrographis has documented interactions with 6 drug classes — the most serious being anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs (moderate), antihypertensive drugs (moderate) and immunosuppressants (moderate) — and none of Metaxalone’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Andrographis Does Interact With Other Medications

Andrographis has 408 moderate, 5 minor known drug interactions in our database — Metaxalone isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 408 Minor 5 No known interaction 2,417 (incl. Metaxalone)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Andrographis

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Andrographis. Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Andrographis and Metaxalone May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do. 2 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • A severe allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail

    Andrographis

    “Orally, andrographis has been frequently reported to cause maculopapular, erythematous rash, pruritus, and urticaria. Andrographis consumption has also been reported to cause angioedema, exfoliative dermatitis, skin exfoliation, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, bullous eruption, fixed eruption, stomatitis, allergic purpura, flushing, and swelling.

    Parenterally, there have been rep…”

    Andrographis · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in dermatitis.

    6 sources cited
    1. 31223. Tang, T., Targan, S. R., Li, Z. S., Xu, C., Byers, V. S., and Sandborn, W. J. Randomised clinical trial: herbal extract HMPL-004 in active ulcerative colitis - a double-blind comparison with sustained release mesalazine. Aliment.Pharmacol Ther 2011;33(2) PubMed
    2. 31222. Saxena, R. C., Singh, R., Kumar, P., Yadav, S. C., Negi, M. P., Saxena, V. S., Joshua, A. J., Vijayabalaji, V., Goudar, K. S., Venkateshwarlu, K., and Amit, A. A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical evaluation of extract of Andrographis pa
    3. 31233. Melchior, J., Palm, S., and Wikman, G. Controlled clinical study of standardized Andrographis paniculata extract in common cold - a pilot trial. Phytomedicine. 1997;3(4):315-318. PubMed
    4. 12380. Poolsup N, Suthisisang C, Prathanturarug S, et al. Andrographis paniculata in the symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection: systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Clin Pharm Ther 2004;29:37-45. PubMed
    5. 31231. Sandborn, W. J., Targan, S. R., Byers, V. S., Rutty, D. A., Mu, H., Zhang, X., and Tang, T. Andrographis paniculata extract (HMPL-004) for active ulcerative colitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108(1):90-98. PubMed
    6. 31220. Burgos, R. A., Hancke, J. L., Bertoglio, J. C., Aguirre, V., Arriagada, S., Calvo, M., and Caceres, D. D. Efficacy of an Andrographis paniculata composition for the relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled tria

    Metaxalone

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Metaxalone. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • An allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail

    Andrographis

    Recorded for Andrographis in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under A severe allergic reaction above.

    Metaxalone

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Metaxalone. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Drowsiness Additional detail

    Andrographis

    “Orally, andrographis has been reported to cause headache, fatigue, anorexia, somnolence, insomnia, lethargy, malaise, and drowsiness. Headache and fatigue occurred more often with high doses of the andrographolide constituent (5-10 mg/kg daily) in one clinical trial.”

    Andrographis · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in anorexia.

    6 sources cited
    1. 2748. Thamlikitkul V, Dechatiwongse T, Theerapong S, et al. Efficacy of Andrographis paniculata, Nees for pharyngotonsillitis in adults. J Med Assoc Thai 1991;74:437-42.
    2. 5784. Melchoir J, Spasov AA, Ostrovskij OV, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot and phase III study of activity of standardized Andrographis paniculata Herba Nees extract fixed combination (Kan Jang) in the treatment of uncomplicated upper-respirator
    3. 6767. Calabrese C, Berman SH, Babish JG, et al. A phase I trial of andrographolide in HIV positive patients and normal volunteers. Phytother Res 2000;14:333-8. PubMed
    4. 10795. Gabrielian ES, Shukarian AK, Goukasova GI, et al. A double blind, placebo-controlled study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination Kan Jang in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections including sinusitis. Phytomedicine 2002;9:589-97 PubMed
    5. 12380. Poolsup N, Suthisisang C, Prathanturarug S, et al. Andrographis paniculata in the symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection: systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Clin Pharm Ther 2004;29:37-45. PubMed
    6. 13016. Coon JT, Ernst E. Andrographis paniculata in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review of safety and efficacy. Planta Med 2004;70:293-8.

    Metaxalone

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Metaxalone. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Stomach upset / Nausea / Vomiting reported in 5.9% of FDA reports for Metaxalone Additional detail

    Andrographis

    “Orally, andrographis has been reported to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence, altered or metallic taste, and abdominal discomfort. Andrographis intake has also been reported to cause epigastric pain, ulcerative stomatitis, melena, dry mouth, and dry lips.

    Parenterally, there have been reports of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort with the use of andrographolide derivative inject…”

    Andrographis · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    6 sources cited
    1. 6767. Calabrese C, Berman SH, Babish JG, et al. A phase I trial of andrographolide in HIV positive patients and normal volunteers. Phytother Res 2000;14:333-8. PubMed
    2. 31213. Kligler, B., Ulbricht, C., Basch, E., Kirkwood, C. D., Abrams, T. R., Miranda, M., Singh Khalsa, K. P., Giles, M., Boon, H., and Woods, J. Andrographis paniculata for the treatment of upper respiratory infection: a systematic review by the natural standa
    3. 2748. Thamlikitkul V, Dechatiwongse T, Theerapong S, et al. Efficacy of Andrographis paniculata, Nees for pharyngotonsillitis in adults. J Med Assoc Thai 1991;74:437-42.
    4. 13016. Coon JT, Ernst E. Andrographis paniculata in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review of safety and efficacy. Planta Med 2004;70:293-8.
    5. 31220. Burgos, R. A., Hancke, J. L., Bertoglio, J. C., Aguirre, V., Arriagada, S., Calvo, M., and Caceres, D. D. Efficacy of an Andrographis paniculata composition for the relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled tria
    6. 31222. Saxena, R. C., Singh, R., Kumar, P., Yadav, S. C., Negi, M. P., Saxena, V. S., Joshua, A. J., Vijayabalaji, V., Goudar, K. S., Venkateshwarlu, K., and Amit, A. A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical evaluation of extract of Andrographis pa

    Metaxalone

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Metaxalone, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Itching / A skin rash Additional detail

    Andrographis

    Recorded for Andrographis in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under A severe allergic reaction above.

    Metaxalone

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Metaxalone. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Dizziness Additional detail

    Andrographis

    Recorded for Andrographis in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under A severe allergic reaction above.

    Metaxalone

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Metaxalone. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Headache reported in 5.2% of FDA reports for Metaxalone Additional detail

    Andrographis

    Recorded for Andrographis in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under A severe allergic reaction above.

    Metaxalone

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Metaxalone, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Andrographis but not commonly for Metaxalone: a severe skin reaction, sweating, dry skin and muscle weakness.

Effects for Metaxalone come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Andrographis come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 3,328 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Metaxalone that mention that effect — a reporting proportion, not an incidence rate and not evidence the drug caused it. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Andrographis in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Possibly Unsafe

When used orally. Andrographis is thought to have abortifacient effects; avoid using.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

From our Q&A

Questions About Andrographis or Metaxalone

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Andrographis or Metaxalone, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Metaxalone

This page covers Andrographis only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Metaxalone page lists 20 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Procaine (major), Coffee Charcoal (moderate), European Mandrake (moderate) and Glucomannan (moderate).

By severity: 2 major · 9 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Metaxalone page

“Most of what interacts with metaxalone (Skelaxin), a muscle relaxant prescribed for painful muscle spasms, works by getting between the pill and your bloodstream. Fiber gums, mucilage herbs like slippery elm, and above all activated charcoal can bind or slow the drug in the gut, leaving you with less relief than your dose should deliver.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Metaxalone interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Andrographis as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 656 real supplement products containing Andrographis, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Andrographis. Even though Andrographis itself has no known interaction with Metaxalone, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Andrographis and Metaxalone Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Andrographis
Top 25%

#163 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Metaxalone
Steady interest

#2,277 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Andrographis reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Andrographis and Metaxalone records this page draws on were last updated July 11, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Andrographis

What is Andrographis?

Andrographis
  • Common cold and flu symptoms
  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • Immune support
  • Digestive complaints

Andrographis is a bitter Asian herb traditionally used for colds, flu, and infections, and some studies suggest it may ease cold symptoms and shorten how long they last. The evidence is limited and the quality of studies varies, so it should not replace standard care. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using it, and avoid it during pregnancy.

Andrographis paniculata · Acanthaceae · Leaves and above-ground (aerial) parts · Capsules, tablets, tinctures, teas, and standardized extracts

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Andrographis is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Andrographis record says about it on its own.

Andrographis: dosing

There is no single official or standardized dose of Andrographis. Products differ in how they are made and in how much andrographolide they contain, which makes general dosing recommendations difficult.Many cold-related products are standardized to a specific amount of andrographolide and are usually taken for a short period at the start of symptoms.

From our Andrographis monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Andrographis monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Metaxalone

What Is Metaxalone Used For?

Brand name: Skelaxin

Metaxalone tablets are used to help relieve discomfort caused by acute (short-term), painful musculoskeletal conditions — things like muscle strains, sprains, and similar injuries. It is meant to be used together with rest, physical therapy, and other treatments, not as a stand-alone fix.

This use applies to adults and adolescents 13 years of age and older. Metaxalone tablets are available as the branded product Skelaxin and as a generic.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Metaxalone

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (3,328 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Completed suicide 261 reports
Nausea 198 reports
Fatigue 196 reports
Headache 172 reports
Toxicity to various agents 164 reports
See full Metaxalone drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Andrographis

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Andrographis — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
408Moderate
5Minor
2,416No known interaction
408 Moderate 5 Minor 2,416 No interaction
Moderate

408 interactions

Showing 60 of 408 moderate interactions — see all 408 on the Andrographis page.

Minor

5 interactions

No interaction 2,416 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Andrographis against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,416 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Andrographis list.

See the full Andrographis interactions page
See every supplement checked against Metaxalone, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Andrographis References

The 26 references that drive our Andrographis monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  2. Thamlikitkul V, Dechatiwongse T, Theerapong S, et al. Efficacy of Andrographis paniculata, Nees for pharyngotonsillitis in adults. J Med Assoc Thai 1991;74:437-42.
  3. Zhang CY, Tan BK. Mechanisms of cardiovascular activity of Andrographis paniculata in the anaesthetized rat. J Ethnopharmacol 1997;56:97-101. PubMed
  4. Zhao HY, Fang WY. Antithrombotic effects of Andrographis paniculata nees in preventing myocardial infarction. Chin Med J (Engl) 1991;104:770-5.
  5. Amroyan E, Gabrielian E, Panossian A, et al. Inhibitory effect of andrographolide from Andrographis paniculata on PAF-induced platelet aggregation. Phytomedicine 1999;6:27-31. PubMed
  6. Zhang C, Kuroyangi M, Tan BK. Cardiovascular activity of 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide in the anaesthetised rat and isolated right atria. Pharmacol Res 1998;38:413-7. PubMed
  7. Puri A, Saxena R, Saxena RP, et al. Immunostimulant agents from Andrographis paniculata. J Nat Prod 1993;56:995-9. PubMed
  8. Melchoir J, Spasov AA, Ostrovskij OV, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot and phase III study of activity of standardized Andrographis paniculata Herba Nees extract fixed combination (Kan Jang) in the treatment of uncomplicated upper-respirator
  9. Calabrese C, Berman SH, Babish JG, et al. A phase I trial of andrographolide in HIV positive patients and normal volunteers. Phytother Res 2000;14:333-8. PubMed
  10. Gabrielian ES, Shukarian AK, Goukasova GI, et al. A double blind, placebo-controlled study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination Kan Jang in the treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections including sinusitis. Phytomedicine 2002;9:589-97 PubMed
  11. Poolsup N, Suthisisang C, Prathanturarug S, et al. Andrographis paniculata in the symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection: systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Clin Pharm Ther 2004;29:37-45. PubMed
  12. Coon JT, Ernst E. Andrographis paniculata in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review of safety and efficacy. Planta Med 2004;70:293-8.
  13. Kligler, B., Ulbricht, C., Basch, E., Kirkwood, C. D., Abrams, T. R., Miranda, M., Singh Khalsa, K. P., Giles, M., Boon, H., and Woods, J. Andrographis paniculata for the treatment of upper respiratory infection: a systematic review by the natural standa
  14. Burgos, R. A., Hancke, J. L., Bertoglio, J. C., Aguirre, V., Arriagada, S., Calvo, M., and Caceres, D. D. Efficacy of an Andrographis paniculata composition for the relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled tria
  15. Saxena, R. C., Singh, R., Kumar, P., Yadav, S. C., Negi, M. P., Saxena, V. S., Joshua, A. J., Vijayabalaji, V., Goudar, K. S., Venkateshwarlu, K., and Amit, A. A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical evaluation of extract of Andrographis pa

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Andrographis and Metaxalone Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Andrographis with Metaxalone?
We do not list a known interaction between Andrographis and Metaxalone. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Andrographis and Metaxalone have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 10 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
How was the Andrographis and Metaxalone combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Metaxalone is filed under 2 classifications, and Andrographis has documented interactions with 6 drug classes — none of Metaxalone's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.
Does Andrographis interact with any other medications?
Yes. Andrographis has 413 documented drug interactions in our database — Metaxalone is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.
Does Metaxalone interact with any supplements?
Yes. Metaxalone has documented interactions with 20 supplements in our database — Andrographis is not one of them. The Metaxalone interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Where next

Keep Exploring

Andrographis monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Metaxalone drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Metaxalone supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Metaxalone, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z Every drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements References The 26 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Metaxalone and Andrographis?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.