Drug & supplement interaction

Black Cohosh + Naproxen

Naproxen brand names: Naprosyn, Naprelan, Anaprox, Anaprox DS, Naproxyn, and others.

No Known Interaction

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 13, 2026

The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Black Cohosh and Naproxen 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

Black Cohosh and Naproxen

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 Naproxen and Black Cohosh 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.

Black Cohosh safety at a glance

Black Cohosh overall Use caution Generally well tolerated short-term, but rare liver concerns mean medical guidance is wise.

Pregnancy Possibly Unsafe When used orally in pregnant patients who are not at term. Black cohosh might have hormonal effects and menstrual and uterine stimulant effects. Theoretically,... Read the full pregnancy detail

Breastfeeding Possibly Unsafe When used orally. Black cohosh might have hormonal effects. Theoretically, maternal intake of black cohosh might adversely affect a nursing child. Until more is... 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 Naproxen and Black Cohosh? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›

How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Naproxen

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Naproxen is filed under 10 classifications — including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids), cytochrome p450 2c9 (cyp2c9) substrates, anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs. Black Cohosh has documented interactions with 7 drug classes — the most serious being atorvastatin (lipitor) (moderate), cisplatin (platinol-aq) (moderate) and cytochrome p450 2d6 (cyp2d6) substrates (moderate) — and none of Naproxen’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

Black Cohosh Does Interact With Other Medications

Black Cohosh has 636 moderate, 16 minor known drug interactions in our database — Naproxen isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 636 Minor 16 No known interaction 2,178 (incl. Naproxen)

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Black Cohosh

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

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Black Cohosh and Naproxen 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. 5 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

Blood clots Worth acting on Additional detail
Black Cohosh
“There is some concern that black cohosh might increase the risk of retinal vein thrombosis due to its estrogenic activity. In one case, a patient with protein S deficiency and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experienced retinal vein thrombosis 3 days after taking a combination product containing black cohosh 250 mg, red clover 250 mg, dong quai 100 mg, and wild yam 276 mg.”

Black Cohosh · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in myasthenia gravis.
1 source cited

13155. Cheong JL, Bucknall R. Retinal vein thrombosis associated with a herbal phytoestrogen preparation in a susceptible patient. Postgrad Med J 2005;81:266-7.. PubMed
Naproxen

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Naproxen. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Kidney problems / Shortness of breath Worth acting on Additional detail
Black Cohosh
“There has been a case report of severe complications, including seizures, renal failure, and respiratory distress, in an infant whose mother was given an unknown dose of black cohosh and blue cohosh at 42 weeks gestation to induce labor. However, this adverse effect may have been attributable to blue cohosh.”

Black Cohosh · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ards).
3 sources cited

1122. McFarlin BL, Gibson MH, O'Rear J, Harman P. A national survey of herbal preparation use by nurse-midwives for labor stimulation. Review of the literature and recommendations for practice. J Nurse Midwifery 1999;44:205-16. PubMed

9492. Gunn TR, Wright IM. The use of black and blue cohosh in labour. N Z Med J 1996;109:410-1.

9493. Baillie N, Rasmussen P. Black and blue cohosh in labour. N Z Med J 1997;110:20-1.
“Orally, black cohosh may cause headache, dizziness, or tiredness. There is one case report of seizures in a female who used black cohosh, evening primrose oil, and chasteberry. A separate case report describes a 55-year-old female who experienced serotonin syndrome after the addition of black cohosh extract 40 mg daily to longstanding treatment with duloxetine 60 mg and sertraline 50 mg daily.

In one case, an infant…”

Black Cohosh · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ards).
6 sources cited

35852. Oktem M, Eroglu D, Karahan HB, Taskintuna N, Kuscu E, Zeyneloglu HB. Black cohosh and fluoxetine in the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms: a prospective, randomized trial. Adv Ther 2007;24:448-61. PubMed

35886. Wong, V. C., Lim, C. E., Luo, X., and Wong, W. S. Current alternative and complementary therapies used in menopause. Gynecol.Endocrinol. 2009;25(3):166-174. PubMed

10988. Huntley A, Ernst E. A systematic review of the safety of black cohosh. Menopause 2003;10:58-64.. DOI

116172. Dernbach MR, Carpenter JE, Shah N, Carter GB. Black Cohosh Interactions with Prescription Medications Associated with Serotonin Toxicity and Rhabdomyolysis: A Case Report. J Emerg Med 2024;66(5):e592-e596. PubMed

9492. Gunn TR, Wright IM. The use of black and blue cohosh in labour. N Z Med J 1996;109:410-1.

9493. Baillie N, Rasmussen P. Black and blue cohosh in labour. N Z Med J 1997;110:20-1.
Naproxen

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Naproxen. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Liver problems Worth acting on Additional detail
Black Cohosh
“There is concern that black cohosh might cause liver disease, hepatotoxicity, or hepatitis. Adverse effects on the liver have not been documented in clinical studies. However, multiple case reports of liver toxicity, hepatitis, and abnormal liver function have been described in females taking black cohosh products alone or in combination with other herbs or drugs.”

Black Cohosh · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cirrhosis.
6 sources cited

4383. Whiting PW, Clouston A, Kerlin P. Black cohosh and other herbal remedies associated with acute hepatitis. Med J Aust 2002;177:440-3. PubMed

10692. Lontos S, Jones RM, Angus PW, Gow PJ. Acute liver failure associated with the use of herbal preparations containing black cohosh. Med J Aust 2003;179:390-1.. DOI

11909. Vitetta L, Thomsen M, Sali A. Black cohosh and other herbal remedies associated with acute hepatitis. Med J Aust 2003;178:411-2.. PubMed

12006. Cohen B, Schardt D. Center for Science in the Public Interest. Letter to Food and Drug Administration. Commissioner Mark McClellan, MD, PhD. March 4, 2004.

13144. Levitsky J, Alli TA, Wisecarver J, Sorrell MF. Fulminant liver failure associated with the use of black cohosh. Dig Dis Sci 2005;50:538-9. PubMed

14469. MHRA. Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) - risk of liver problems. Herbal Safety News July 2006. Available at: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&useSecondary= true&ssDocName=CON2024131&ssTargetNodeId=663.
Naproxen

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Naproxen. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Bleeding or bruising Worth acting on Additional detail
Black Cohosh
“Orally, black cohosh, including the specific black cohosh product Remifemin, may cause vaginal bleeding and breast tenderness in some postmenopausal patients. However, the frequency of these events seems to be less than that of tibolone, a prescription hormone medication used to treat symptoms of menopause.

Due to the potential estrogen-like effects, there is concern that black cohosh might increase the risk of endom…”

Black Cohosh · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in endometrial hyperplasia.
6 sources cited

15889. Bai W, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH, Wang S, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a medicinal product containing an isopropanolic black cohosh extract in Chinese women with menopausal symptoms: A randomized, double blind, parallel-controlled study versus tibol

35824. Vermes G, Bánhidy F, Acs N. The effects of remifemin on subjective symptoms of menopause. Adv Ther 2005;22:148-54. PubMed

35904. Bai WP, Wang SY, Liu JL, Geng L, Hu LN, Zhang ZL, Chen SL, Zheng SR. [Efficacy and safety of remifemin compared to tibolone for controlling of perimenopausal symptoms]. Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi 2009;44:597-600.

14330. Wuttke W, Gorkow C, Seidlova-Wuttke D. Effects of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) on bone turnover, vaginal mucosa, and various blood parameters in postmenopausal women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, and conjugated estrogens-controlled study. Men PubMed

15036. Raus K, Brucker C, Gorkow C, Wuttke W. First-time proof of endometrial safety of the special black cohosh extract (Actaea or Cimicifuga racemosa extract) CR BNO 1055. Menopause 2006;13:678-91. PubMed

15893. Chung DJ, Kim HY, Park KH, et al. Black cohosh and St. John's wort (GYNO-Plus) for climacteric symptoms. Yonsei Med J 2007;48:289-94. PubMed
Naproxen

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Naproxen. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Mood changes or irritability Additional detail

Black Cohosh

Recorded for Black Cohosh in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Liver problems above.

Naproxen

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Naproxen. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Joint pain reported in 6.7% of FDA reports for Naproxen Additional detail
Black Cohosh
“One patient treated with black cohosh in a clinical trial discontinued treatment due to edema and arthralgia.

Black cohosh has been linked to asthenia, muscle damage, and rhabdomyolysis. In one case, a 54-year-old female experienced asthenia with elevated creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels while taking black cohosh.”

Black Cohosh · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in muscle breakdown.
3 sources cited

35897. Amsterdam JD, Yao Y, Mao JJ, Soeller I, Rockwell K, Shults J. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) in women with anxiety disorder due to menopause. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2009;29:478-83. PubMed

14299. Minciullo PL, Saija A, Patafi M, et al. Muscle damage induced by black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa). Phytomedicine 2006;13:115-8. PubMed

116172. Dernbach MR, Carpenter JE, Shah N, Carter GB. Black Cohosh Interactions with Prescription Medications Associated with Serotonin Toxicity and Rhabdomyolysis: A Case Report. J Emerg Med 2024;66(5):e592-e596. PubMed
Naproxen

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Naproxen, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Stomach upset Additional detail
Black Cohosh
“Orally, black cohosh can commonly cause gastrointestinal upset. Constipation and indigestion have also been reported.”

Black Cohosh · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in constipation.
6 sources cited

4383. Whiting PW, Clouston A, Kerlin P. Black cohosh and other herbal remedies associated with acute hepatitis. Med J Aust 2002;177:440-3. PubMed

4615. Pepping J. Black cohosh: Cimicifuga racemosa. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1999;56:1400-2. PubMed

4616. Liske E. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of Cimicifuga racemosa for gynecologic disorders. Adv Ther 1998;15:45-53.

10988. Huntley A, Ernst E. A systematic review of the safety of black cohosh. Menopause 2003;10:58-64.. DOI

13184. Nappi RE, Malavasi B, Brundu B, Facchinetti F. Efficacy of Cimicifuga racemosa on climacteric complaints: a randomized study versus low-dose transdermal estradiol. Gynecol Endocrinol 2005;20:30-5.

35824. Vermes G, Bánhidy F, Acs N. The effects of remifemin on subjective symptoms of menopause. Adv Ther 2005;22:148-54. PubMed
Naproxen

Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Naproxen. Read the label on DailyMed ›
Tiredness reported in 7.9% of FDA reports for Naproxen Additional detail

Black Cohosh

Recorded for Black Cohosh in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Liver problems above.

Naproxen

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

Black Cohosh

Recorded for Black Cohosh in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Stomach upset above.

Naproxen

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

Showing the 10 most notable of 14 shared effects — ranked by how unusual each one is, not just whether both lists mention it.

Reported for Black Cohosh but not commonly for Naproxen: serotonin syndrome, breast tenderness, severe muscle breakdown and a slow heartbeat.

Effects for Naproxen come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Black Cohosh come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 165,062 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Naproxen 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

Black Cohosh in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Possibly Unsafe

When used orally in pregnant patients who are not at term. Black cohosh might have hormonal effects and menstrual and uterine stimulant effects. Theoretically, this might increase the risk of miscarriage; avoid using during pregnancy. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of black cohosh when used to induce labor.

Lactation Possibly Unsafe

When used orally. Black cohosh might have hormonal effects. Theoretically, maternal intake of black cohosh might adversely affect a nursing child. Until more is known, nursing patients should avoid taking black cohosh.

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

Overlapping uses

What Naproxen Is Prescribed For, and What Black Cohosh Has Been Studied For

These two come up together because they touch the same health topic — not because they do the same job. Naproxen is a prescription medicine with approved uses on its FDA label. Black Cohosh is a supplement: what follows is what researchers have looked at it for, and how strong that evidence is.

Naproxen is prescribed for: Naproxen tablets, naproxen sodium tablets, and naproxen oral suspension are used to relieve the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. They are also used for tendonitis, bursitis, and acute gout, and for managing pain and primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps). Naproxen Sodium Controlled-Release Tablets are indicated for the same conditions plus the relief of mild to moderate pain. Several over-the-counter naproxen sodium products are indicated for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains from headache, backache, muscular aches, toothache, menstrual cramps, minor arthritis pain, and the common cold, and to temporarily reduce fever.

Black Cohosh has been studied for:

Dysmenorrhea studied, not established Black Cohosh has been studied for this. Natural Medicines rates the evidence: Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Read what the research shows

Black Cohosh for dysmenorrhea

Although there has been interest in using oral black cohosh for dysmenorrhea, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of black cohosh for this purpose.
Osteoarthritis studied, not established Black Cohosh has been studied for this. Natural Medicines rates the evidence: Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Read what the research shows

Black Cohosh for osteoarthritis

Oral black cohosh has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.

Effectiveness ratings and the research summaries above are the verbatim record from the Natural Medicines database, which grades evidence from “Effective” down to “Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate”. A rating below the top of that scale means researchers have looked at it — not that it works, and never that it can stand in for a prescribed medicine. Do not stop or replace Naproxen on your own; if you are taking Black Cohosh for the same health topic, tell your prescriber, especially if the medicine is being adjusted to a target.

From our Q&A

Questions About Black Cohosh or Naproxen

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

This page covers Black Cohosh only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Naproxen page lists 311 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Asarabacca (major), Beer (major), Danshen (major) and Piracetam (major).

By severity: 7 major · 260 moderate · 44 minor.

Open the Naproxen interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 1,472 real supplement products containing Black Cohosh, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Black Cohosh. Even though Black Cohosh itself has no known interaction with Naproxen, 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 Black Cohosh and Naproxen 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 Black Cohosh

Top 25%

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

29 days ago today

Medication Naproxen

Top 5%

#56 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 Black Cohosh reference on this page ↓
Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Black Cohosh and Naproxen 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 Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS.

Supplement

About Black Cohosh

What is Black Cohosh?

Hot flashes and night sweats
Other menopause symptoms
Mood changes during menopause
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Menstrual cramps

Black cohosh is a North American plant most often used to ease menopause symptoms like hot flashes, but the research is mixed and far from settled. It is generally well tolerated for short-term use, though rare reports of liver problems mean you should talk with your pharmacist or doctor before trying it, especially if you have liver disease.

Actaea racemosa · Ranunculaceae · Roots and rhizomes (underground stems) · Capsules, tablets, liquid extracts (tinctures), dried root for tea

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

Black Cohosh: dosing

There is no official standard dose of black cohosh. Many supplements are standardized to their triterpene glycoside content, and studies have used a range of amounts, so products can differ a lot from one another.The safest approach is to follow the directions on the product label and not exceed the recommended amount.

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

Read the full Black Cohosh monograph & all interactions

Medication

About Naproxen

What Is Naproxen Used For?

Brand names: Naprosyn, Naprelan, Anaprox, Anaprox DS, Naproxyn, Navalbine, Naproxen, Naprosyn EC, Napro-Na, Aleve, Arthroxen, Synflex, EC-Naprosyn

Naproxen tablets, naproxen sodium tablets, and naproxen oral suspension are used to relieve the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. They are also used for tendonitis, bursitis, and acute gout, and for managing pain and primary dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps).

Naproxen Sodium Controlled-Release Tablets are indicated for the same conditions plus the relief of mild to moderate pain. Several over-the-counter naproxen sodium products are indicated for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains from headache, backache, muscular aches, toothache, menstrual cramps, minor arthritis pain, and the common cold, and to temporarily reduce fever.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Naproxen

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (165,062 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Fatigue 13,047 reports

Nausea 12,185 reports

Arthralgia 11,086 reports

Headache 10,504 reports

Diarrhea 9,841 reports

See full Naproxen drug information

Keep checking

Other Drugs & Black Cohosh

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

0Major

636Moderate

16Minor

2,177No known interaction

636 Moderate 16 Minor 2,177 No interaction

Moderate

636 interactions

Showing 60 of 636 moderate interactions — see all 636 on the Black Cohosh page.

Minor

16 interactions

No interaction 2,177 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,177 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Black Cohosh list.

See the full Black Cohosh interactions page

See every supplement checked against Naproxen, ranked by severity

Evidence & sources

Black Cohosh References

The 68 references that drive our Black Cohosh 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.

McFarlin BL, Gibson MH, O'Rear J, Harman P. A national survey of herbal preparation use by nurse-midwives for labor stimulation. Review of the literature and recommendations for practice. J Nurse Midwifery 1999;44:205-16. PubMed
Whiting PW, Clouston A, Kerlin P. Black cohosh and other herbal remedies associated with acute hepatitis. Med J Aust 2002;177:440-3. PubMed
Pepping J. Black cohosh: Cimicifuga racemosa. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1999;56:1400-2. PubMed
Liske E. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of Cimicifuga racemosa for gynecologic disorders. Adv Ther 1998;15:45-53.
Kruse SO, Lohning A, Pauli GF, et al. Fukiic and piscidic acid esters from the rhizome of Cimicifuga racemosa and the in vitro estrogenic activity of fukinolic acid. Planta Med 1999;65:763-4.
Jacobson JS, Troxel AB, Evans J, et al. Randomized trial of black cohosh for the treatment of hot flashes among women with a history of breast cancer. J Clin Oncol 2001;19:2739-45. PubMed
Gunn TR, Wright IM. The use of black and blue cohosh in labour. N Z Med J 1996;109:410-1.
Baillie N, Rasmussen P. Black and blue cohosh in labour. N Z Med J 1997;110:20-1.
Lontos S, Jones RM, Angus PW, Gow PJ. Acute liver failure associated with the use of herbal preparations containing black cohosh. Med J Aust 2003;179:390-1.. DOI
Wuttke W, Seidlova-Wuttke D, Gorkow C. The Cimicifuga preparation BNO 1055 vs. conjugated estrogens in a double-blind placebo-controlled study: effects on menopause symptoms and bone markers. Maturitas 2003;44:S67-77. PubMed
Huntley A, Ernst E. A systematic review of the safety of black cohosh. Menopause 2003;10:58-64.. DOI
Cohen SM, O'Connor AM, Hart J, et al. Autoimmune hepatitis associated with the use of black cohosh: a case study. Menopause 2004;11:575-7. PubMed
Vitetta L, Thomsen M, Sali A. Black cohosh and other herbal remedies associated with acute hepatitis. Med J Aust 2003;178:411-2.. PubMed
Thomsen M, Vitetta L, Schmidt M, Sali A. Acute liver failure associated with the use of herbal preparations containing black cohosh. Med J Aust 2004;180:598-600.. DOI
Cohen B, Schardt D. Center for Science in the Public Interest. Letter to Food and Drug Administration. Commissioner Mark McClellan, MD, PhD. March 4, 2004.
Seidlova-Wuttke D, Hesse O, Jarry H, et al. Evidence for selective estrogen receptor modulator activity in a black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) extract: comparison with estradiol-17beta. Eur J Endocrinol 2003;149:351-62. PubMed
Rockwell S, Liu Y, Higgins SA. Alteration of the effects of cancer therapy agents on breast cancer cells by the herbal medicine black cohosh. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2005;90:233-9. PubMed
Levitsky J, Alli TA, Wisecarver J, Sorrell MF. Fulminant liver failure associated with the use of black cohosh. Dig Dis Sci 2005;50:538-9. PubMed
Cheong JL, Bucknall R. Retinal vein thrombosis associated with a herbal phytoestrogen preparation in a susceptible patient. Postgrad Med J 2005;81:266-7.. PubMed
Nappi RE, Malavasi B, Brundu B, Facchinetti F. Efficacy of Cimicifuga racemosa on climacteric complaints: a randomized study versus low-dose transdermal estradiol. Gynecol Endocrinol 2005;20:30-5.
Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA, et al. In vivo effects of goldenseal, kava kava, black cohosh, and valerian on human cytochrome P450 1A2, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4/5 phenotypes. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2005;77:415-26. PubMed
Minciullo PL, Saija A, Patafi M, et al. Muscle damage induced by black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa). Phytomedicine 2006;13:115-8. PubMed
Wuttke W, Gorkow C, Seidlova-Wuttke D. Effects of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) on bone turnover, vaginal mucosa, and various blood parameters in postmenopausal women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, and conjugated estrogens-controlled study. Men PubMed
MHRA. Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) - risk of liver problems. Herbal Safety News July 2006. Available at: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&useSecondary= true&ssDocName=CON2024131&ssTargetNodeId=663.
Dugoua JJ, Seely D, Perri D, et al. Safety and efficacy of black cohosh (cimicifuga racemosa) during pregnancy and lactation. Can J Clin Pharmacol 2006;13:e257-61.
Raus K, Brucker C, Gorkow C, Wuttke W. First-time proof of endometrial safety of the special black cohosh extract (Actaea or Cimicifuga racemosa extract) CR BNO 1055. Menopause 2006;13:678-91. PubMed
Lynch CR, Folkers ME, Hutson WR. Fulminant hepatic failure associated with the use of black cohosh: a case report. Liver Transpl 2006;12:989-92. PubMed
Bai W, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH, Wang S, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a medicinal product containing an isopropanolic black cohosh extract in Chinese women with menopausal symptoms: A randomized, double blind, parallel-controlled study versus tibol
Meyer S, Vogt T, Obermann EC, et al. Cutaneous pseudolymphoma induced by Cimicifuga racemosa. Dermatology 2007;214:94-6.
Gori L, Firenzuoli F. Is black cohosh a hepatotoxic medicinal herb? Forsch Komplementarmed 2007;14:109-10. PubMed
Assessment of case reports connected to herbal medicinal products containing cimicifugae racemosa rhizoma (black cohosh, root). Doc. Ref. EMEA/269259/2006. Available at: www.emea.eu.int/pdfs/human/hmpc/26925806en.pdf (Accessed 30 November 2007).
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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.

Related: nutrient depletion

Naproxen Is Linked to Lower Levels of One Nutrient

Natural Medicines records Naproxen as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Black Cohosh — it is a separate effect of the medicine, and it is a reason some people are advised to supplement rather than to avoid one:

FOLIC ACID›

Read the full Naproxen nutrient depletion report ›

Depletion records come from the licensed Natural Medicines database. Do not start a supplement on the strength of this page — ask your pharmacist or doctor whether it applies to you.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Black Cohosh and Naproxen Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Black Cohosh with Naproxen?

We do not list a known interaction between Black Cohosh and Naproxen. 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 Black Cohosh and Naproxen 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.

Are Black Cohosh and Naproxen used for the same thing?

They overlap in purpose, which usually means the real question is whether you need both rather than whether they are safe together. This page lists the shared uses and how strong the evidence is for Black Cohosh in each. That is a conversation for your prescriber, especially if Naproxen is being adjusted to a target.

How was the Black Cohosh and Naproxen combination checked?

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Naproxen is filed under 10 classifications, and Black Cohosh has documented interactions with 7 drug classes — none of Naproxen'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 Black Cohosh interact with any other medications?

Yes. Black Cohosh has 652 documented drug interactions in our database — Naproxen 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 Naproxen interact with any supplements?

Yes. Naproxen has documented interactions with 311 supplements in our database — Black Cohosh is not one of them. The Naproxen interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

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

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Black Cohosh monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Naproxen drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Naproxen supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Naproxen, 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 68 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

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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.