Drug & supplement interaction

Angelica Archangelica + Interferon Beta-1a

Interferon Beta-1a brand names: Rebif, Avonex.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated February 2024
The bottom line Moderate

Angelica Archangelica has a moderate interaction with Interferon Beta-1a. Angelica archangelica, whether ingested or applied to the skin, has the potential to induce photosensitivity reactions.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceC
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
Know someone taking this? Share
Facebook Post Reddit Email
On this page
Interaction report

Angelica Archangelica and Interferon Beta-1a

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

Photosensitizing Drugs

Why this applies to Interferon Beta-1a

Interferon Beta-1a falls under Photosensitizing Drugs — the group Angelica Archangelica interacts with.

Angelica archangelica, whether ingested or applied to the skin, has the potential to induce photosensitivity reactions. It is advised that patients using Angelica archangelica in any form should avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. When combined with photosensitizing drugs like doxycycline, there is an elevated risk of photosensitivity reactions. Patients should be cautioned to take appropriate sun protection measures and monitor for any signs of skin irritation or photosensitivity when using these substances concomitantly. (Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10630112/)
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence C

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.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the simple version. Both your interferon beta-1a (Rebif or Avonex) and the herb Angelica archangelica can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight on their own. Interferon beta therapy is already known to cause skin reactions and can increase how easily you sunburn. Angelica contains natural compounds called furanocoumarins that do something similar. Put them together and you may burn faster or react more strongly in the sun.

This isn't about the drug building up or losing its effect, it's an additive skin-and-sun issue. The evidence here is on the weaker side, so don't panic. If you use Angelica in any form, just be smart about sun: wear sunscreen, cover up, and watch for redness or rashes. Check with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction 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.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Angelica Archangelica Also Interacts With Other Medications

Angelica Archangelica has 334 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Interferon Beta-1a one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 334 No known interaction 2,496 (incl. Interferon Beta-1a)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Angelica Archangelica

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Interferon Beta-1a

This page covers Angelica Archangelica only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Interferon Beta-1a page lists 57 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Beer (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Wine (major), Alfalfa (moderate) and Arrach (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 53 moderate · 1 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Interferon Beta-1a page

“Siberian cocklebur, an herb tied to documented cases of liver failure, is the first name to know for anyone injecting interferon beta-1a (Rebif, Avonex) for multiple sclerosis. Interferon beta-1a can strain the liver on its own, which is why prescribers order routine liver blood tests, and 38 of the 57 supplements on file carry that sa…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Interferon Beta-1a interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Angelica Archangelica and Interferon Beta-1a 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 Angelica Archangelica
Steady interest

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

29 days ago today
Medication Interferon Beta-1a
Steady interest

#2,587 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.

Supplement

About Angelica Archangelica

What is Angelica Archangelica?

Angelica Archangelica
  • Digestive upset and gas
  • Loss of appetite
  • Anxiety and restlessness
  • Mild respiratory complaints
  • Flavoring in foods and drinks

Angelica archangelica is a tall aromatic herb used traditionally for digestive complaints, poor appetite, and to flavor foods and liqueurs. Solid human evidence for its health benefits is limited, and its skin-sensitizing furanocoumarins mean caution is warranted. Pregnant and breastfeeding people should avoid it, and anyone considering it should check with a pharmacist or doctor first.

Read the full Angelica Archangelica monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Interferon Beta-1a Intramuscular Injection

What Is Interferon Beta-1a Intramuscular Injection Used For?

Brand names: Rebif, Avonex

  • Interferon beta-1a intramuscular injection is used to treat adults with various forms of multiple sclerosis (MS; a disease in which the nerves do not function properly and people may experience weakness, numbness, loss of muscle coordination, and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control) including:

    • clinically isolated syndrome (CIS; nerve symptom episodes that last at least 24 hours),

    • relapsing-remitting forms (course of disease where symptoms flare up from time to time), or

    • secondary progressive forms (course of disease where relapses occur more often).

  • Interferon beta-1a is in a class of medications called immunomodulators. It works by decreasing inflammation and preventing nerve damage that may cause symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

See full Interferon Beta-1a Intramuscular Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Angelica Archangelica

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

0Major
334Moderate
0Minor
2,495No known interaction
334 Moderate 2,495 No interaction
Moderate

334 interactions

Showing 60 of 334 moderate interactions — see all 334 on the Angelica Archangelica page.

No interaction 2,495 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,495 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Angelica Archangelica list.

See the full Angelica Archangelica interactions page
See every supplement checked against Interferon Beta-1a, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

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

Keep exploring
Angelica Archangelica monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Interferon Beta-1a supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Interferon Beta-1a, ranked by severity Interferon Beta-1a Intramuscular Injection drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Angelica Archangelica and Interferon Beta-1a Together: Common Questions

Can you take Angelica Archangelica with Interferon Beta-1a?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Angelica Archangelica and Interferon Beta-1a interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

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

Still Have a Question About Interferon Beta-1a and Angelica Archangelica?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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.