Drug & supplement interaction

Autumn Crocus + Phenylephrine

Phenylephrine brand names: Gilchew, AH Chew D, Gilchew IR, Sudafed PE, Biorphen.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Oct 4, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Autumn Crocus and Phenylephrine 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

Autumn Crocus and Phenylephrine

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 Phenylephrine and Autumn Crocus 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.

Autumn Crocus safety at a glance

Autumn Crocus overall Avoid The raw plant is poisonous and can cause fatal colchicine poisoning.
Pregnancy Unsafe When used orally. Autumn crocus is a potential mutagen and is associated with significant and potentially fatal adverse effects; avoid using. Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Unsafe When used orally. Autumn crocus is a potential mutagen and is associated with significant and potentially fatal adverse effects; avoid using. Read the full breastfeeding detail

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 Phenylephrine and Autumn Crocus? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Phenylephrine

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Phenylephrine is filed under 5 classifications — including alpha-adrenergic agonists, stimulant drugs, serotonergic drugs. Autumn Crocus has documented interactions with 1 drug class — the most serious being colchicine (major) — and none of Phenylephrine’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

Autumn Crocus Does Interact With Other Medications

Autumn Crocus has 2 major, known drug interactions in our database — Phenylephrine isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 2 No known interaction 2,828 (incl. Phenylephrine)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Autumn Crocus

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

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Autumn Crocus and Phenylephrine 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. One of them is worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Shortness of breath Worth acting on reported in 6.2% of FDA reports for Phenylephrine Additional detail

    Autumn Crocus

    “Predominant pulmonary symptoms of autumn crocus poisoning include tachypnea, respiratory distress or failure, and pleural effusions. Some patients require mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for life support.”

    Autumn Crocus · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ards).

    5 sources cited
    1. 99057. Nagesh KR, Menezes RG, Rastogi P, et al. Suicidal plant poisoning with Colchicum autumnale. J Forensic Leg Med 2011;18(6):285-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2011.04.008. PubMed
    2. 99058. Brncic N, Viskovic I, Peric R, et al. Accidental plant poisoning with Colchicum autumnale: report of two cases. Croat Med J 2001;42(6):673-5.
    3. 99059. Sundov Z, Nincevic Z, Definis-Gojanovic M, et al. Fatal colchicine poisoning by accidental ingestion of meadow saffron-case report. Forensic Sci Int 2005;149(2-3):253-6. PubMed
    4. 33947. Brvar, M., Kozelj, G., Mozina, M., and Bunc, M. Acute poisoning with autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.). Wien.Klin Wochenschr. 3-31-2004;116(5-6):205-208. PubMed
    5. 99060. Boisramé-Helms J, Rahmani H, Stiel L, Tournoud C, Sauder P. Extracorporeal life support in the treatment of colchicine poisoning. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2015;53(8):827-9.

    Phenylephrine

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

  • Vomiting Additional detail

    Autumn Crocus

    “Gastrointestinal symptoms are often the first signs of autumn crocus poisoning and include burning of the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and ileus. These symptoms typically occur within 2-12 hours after oral ingestion, with early onset indicating a poorer prognosis. Pancreatitis has also been reported with severe autumn crocus poisoning.”

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

    6 sources cited
    1. 33947. Brvar, M., Kozelj, G., Mozina, M., and Bunc, M. Acute poisoning with autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.). Wien.Klin Wochenschr. 3-31-2004;116(5-6):205-208. PubMed
    2. 99056. Kritikos A, Spertini O. Reversible granulocyte abnormalities after accidental ingestion of Colchicum autumnale. Blood 2017;130(1):95. doi: 10.1182/blood-2017-02-766410. PubMed
    3. 99057. Nagesh KR, Menezes RG, Rastogi P, et al. Suicidal plant poisoning with Colchicum autumnale. J Forensic Leg Med 2011;18(6):285-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2011.04.008. PubMed
    4. 99058. Brncic N, Viskovic I, Peric R, et al. Accidental plant poisoning with Colchicum autumnale: report of two cases. Croat Med J 2001;42(6):673-5.
    5. 99059. Sundov Z, Nincevic Z, Definis-Gojanovic M, et al. Fatal colchicine poisoning by accidental ingestion of meadow saffron-case report. Forensic Sci Int 2005;149(2-3):253-6. PubMed
    6. 99060. Boisramé-Helms J, Rahmani H, Stiel L, Tournoud C, Sauder P. Extracorporeal life support in the treatment of colchicine poisoning. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2015;53(8):827-9.

    Phenylephrine

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

Reported for Autumn Crocus but not commonly for Phenylephrine: numbness or tingling, a low platelet count, a low white blood cell count and stomach pain.

Effects for Phenylephrine come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Autumn Crocus come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 221,388 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Phenylephrine 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

Autumn Crocus in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy And Lactation Unsafe

When used orally. Autumn crocus is a potential mutagen and is associated with significant and potentially fatal adverse 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 Autumn Crocus or Phenylephrine

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Autumn Crocus or Phenylephrine, 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 Phenylephrine

This page covers Autumn Crocus only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Phenylephrine page lists 81 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Ephedra (major), Lithium (major), Peyote (major) and Rauvolfia Vomitoria (major).

By severity: 6 major · 60 moderate · 15 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Phenylephrine page

“If you take phenylephrine (Sudafed PE, Biorphen) for congestion, treat this list as one that needs real attention, since six of its 81 entries carry a major rating. Phenylephrine tightens blood vessels to clear your nose, and more than half of the interactions here come from stimulant ingredients, ephedra above all, that can push blood…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Phenylephrine interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 1 real supplement products containing Autumn Crocus, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Autumn Crocus. Even though Autumn Crocus itself has no known interaction with Phenylephrine, 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 Autumn Crocus and Phenylephrine 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 Autumn Crocus
Steady interest

#1,430 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Phenylephrine
Top half

#749 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 Autumn Crocus reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified October 4, 2026. The Autumn Crocus and Phenylephrine records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 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 Autumn Crocus

What is Autumn Crocus?

Autumn Crocus
  • Gout
  • Familial Mediterranean fever
  • Joint pain and inflammation
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (traditional use)

Autumn Crocus is a highly poisonous plant that contains colchicine, a compound that has real medical value but is dangerous in its raw form. You should never eat the plant or take homemade preparations from it. If you need colchicine for gout or familial Mediterranean fever, use the standardized, FDA-approved prescription product under a doctor's supervision.

Colchicum autumnale · Colchicaceae · Corm (bulb-like underground stem), seeds, and flowers · Rarely used as a raw plant or crude extract; the purified active compound (colchicine) is available only as an FDA-approved prescription medicine

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

Autumn Crocus: dosing

There is no safe established dose of the Autumn Crocus plant as a supplement, and it should not be taken in any homemade form. The colchicine content of the plant cannot be reliably measured, so even small amounts can cause serious harm.The only appropriate way to use colchicine is through an FDA-approved prescription product, which has a precise, controlled dose set by your healthcare provider.

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

Read the full Autumn Crocus monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Phenylephrine

What Is Phenylephrine Used For?

Brand names: Gilchew, AH Chew D, Gilchew IR, Sudafed PE, Biorphen

Phenylephrine is used in several different products, and each one has its own use.

Injection (IV): raises blood pressure in adults with clinically important hypotension (low blood pressure) caused mainly by widened blood vessels. Some injections are labeled for anesthesia only. Others are labeled for anesthesia and septic shock.

Eye drops: Phenylephrine Hydrochloride Ophthalmic Solution is used to dilate the pupil.

Nasal products: temporarily relieve nasal and sinus congestion from the common cold, hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies.

Rectal suppositories: relieve itching, burning and discomfort from hemorrhoids and temporarily shrink hemorrhoidal tissue.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Phenylephrine

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (221,388 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Fatigue 20,609 reports
Headache 17,301 reports
Nausea 16,925 reports
Diarrhea 14,221 reports
Dyspnea 13,719 reports
See full Phenylephrine drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Autumn Crocus

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

2Major
0Moderate
0Minor
2,827No known interaction
2 Major 2,827 No interaction
Major

2 interactions

No interaction 2,827 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,827 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Autumn Crocus list.

See the full Autumn Crocus interactions page
See every supplement checked against Phenylephrine, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Autumn Crocus References

The 9 references that drive our Autumn Crocus 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. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. Brvar, M., Kozelj, G., Mozina, M., and Bunc, M. Acute poisoning with autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.). Wien.Klin Wochenschr. 3-31-2004;116(5-6):205-208. PubMed
  4. Kritikos A, Spertini O. Reversible granulocyte abnormalities after accidental ingestion of Colchicum autumnale. Blood 2017;130(1):95. doi: 10.1182/blood-2017-02-766410. PubMed
  5. Nagesh KR, Menezes RG, Rastogi P, et al. Suicidal plant poisoning with Colchicum autumnale. J Forensic Leg Med 2011;18(6):285-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2011.04.008. PubMed
  6. Brncic N, Viskovic I, Peric R, et al. Accidental plant poisoning with Colchicum autumnale: report of two cases. Croat Med J 2001;42(6):673-5.
  7. Sundov Z, Nincevic Z, Definis-Gojanovic M, et al. Fatal colchicine poisoning by accidental ingestion of meadow saffron-case report. Forensic Sci Int 2005;149(2-3):253-6. PubMed
  8. Boisramé-Helms J, Rahmani H, Stiel L, Tournoud C, Sauder P. Extracorporeal life support in the treatment of colchicine poisoning. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2015;53(8):827-9.
  9. Razinger G, Kozelj G, Gorjup V, Grenc D, Brvar M. Accidental poisoning with autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale): a case series. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2021 Jun;59(6):493-9.

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 Autumn Crocus and Phenylephrine Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Autumn Crocus with Phenylephrine?
We do not list a known interaction between Autumn Crocus and Phenylephrine. 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 Autumn Crocus and Phenylephrine have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 2 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 Autumn Crocus and Phenylephrine combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Phenylephrine is filed under 5 classifications, and Autumn Crocus has documented interactions with 1 drug class — none of Phenylephrine'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 Autumn Crocus interact with any other medications?
Yes. Autumn Crocus has 2 documented drug interactions in our database — Phenylephrine 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 Phenylephrine interact with any supplements?
Yes. Phenylephrine has documented interactions with 81 supplements in our database — Autumn Crocus is not one of them. The Phenylephrine 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

Autumn Crocus monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Phenylephrine drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Phenylephrine supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Phenylephrine, 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 9 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Phenylephrine and Autumn Crocus?

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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.