Drug & supplement interaction

Black Root + Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide

Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide brand names: Moduretic, Amilzide, Moduret 25, Amil-Co.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Black Root has a moderate interaction with Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide. Overuse of black root might compound diuretic-induced potassium loss.There is some concern that people taking black root along with potassium depleting diuretics might have an increased risk for hypokalemia.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Black Root and Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide

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

Moderate

DIURETIC DRUGS

Why this applies to Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide

Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide falls under DIURETIC DRUGS — the group Black Root interacts with.

Overuse of black root might compound diuretic-induced potassium loss.There is some concern that people taking black root along with potassium depleting diuretics might have an increased risk for hypokalemia. Initiation of potassium supplementation or an increase in potassium supplement dose may be necessary for some patients. Some diuretics that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide), and others.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

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 an interesting wrinkle with this particular combo. Your water pill is actually two ingredients working in opposite directions on potassium. The hydrochlorothiazide part tends to flush potassium out, while the amiloride part is a 'potassium-sparing' diuretic that helps hold potassium in. That's why this combo is often picked for people who can't afford to lose potassium in the first place.

The concern on file is that Black Root, used as a strong laxative, could cause its own fluid and potassium loss through the gut, which might add up with the diuretic side. That said, this is a theoretical worry based on the herb's chemistry, not solid studies. Because amiloride already protects potassium, I wouldn't lose sleep over it, but please check with your pharmacist or doctor before using Black Root.

References
  1. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.

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

Black Root Also Interacts With Other Medications

Black Root has 77 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Black Root

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide

This page covers Black Root only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide page lists 236 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), American Mistletoe (major), Asarabacca (major) and Dolomite (major).

By severity: 10 major · 199 moderate · 27 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide page

“The typical Moduretic (amiloride with hydrochlorothiazide) patient is managing blood pressure long term, and the supplements that crowd reaches for (herbal blood pressure aids, potassium, calcium) are exactly what fills this list. It deserves a careful read, not a skim.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 41 real supplement products containing Black Root, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Black Root. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide too, on top of Black Root — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Black Root and Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide 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 Root
Top half

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

29 days ago today
Medication Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide
Top 25%

#563 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 Black Root

What is Black Root?

  • Constipation
  • Liver and gallbladder complaints
  • Digestive upset
  • Stimulating bile flow

Black Root is a traditional North American herb that was historically used as a strong laxative and to support digestion and liver function. There is very little modern scientific evidence to support these uses, and the fresh root can be toxic, so it should be used cautiously, if at all, and never during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Read the full Black Root monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Amiloride and Hydrochlorothiazide

What Is Amiloride and Hydrochlorothiazide Used For?

Brand names: Moduretic, Amilzide, Moduret 25, Amil-Co

Amiloride hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide tablets are used for patients with high blood pressure (hypertension) or congestive heart failure who tend to develop low potassium (hypokalemia) when taking a thiazide or other diuretic alone — or for whom keeping potassium levels in a normal range is especially important, such as people taking digoxin or those with significant heart rhythm problems.

The tablets may be used on their own or alongside other blood pressure medicines, such as methyldopa or beta blockers. This combination product is not intended as the first-choice treatment for swelling (edema) or high blood pressure unless low potassium is a specific concern.

See full Amiloride and Hydrochlorothiazide drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Black Root

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

0Major
77Moderate
0Minor
2,752No known interaction
Moderate

77 interactions

Showing 60 of 77 moderate interactions — see all 77 on the Black Root page.

No interaction 2,752 drugs checked — show the list
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

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Black Root and Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide Together: Common Questions

Can you take Black Root with Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide?
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 Black Root and Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide 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

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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.