Drug & supplement interaction

Bloodroot + Interferon Beta-1a

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

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Bloodroot and Interferon Beta-1a 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.

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Interaction report

Bloodroot and Interferon Beta-1a

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 Interferon Beta-1a and Bloodroot 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.

Worth understanding: our licensed dataset holds no drug-interaction record for Bloodroot at all — not against Interferon Beta-1a, and not against any other medication we track. This verdict therefore rests on the absence of any recorded data, not on research that looked at this combination and found nothing. We cannot rule an interaction out.

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.

Bloodroot safety at a glance

Bloodroot overall Avoid Bloodroot is potentially toxic and corrosive, and we do not recommend it for self-treatment.
Pregnancy Likely Unsafe When used orally; avoid using. Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Possibly Unsafe When used orally; 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 Interferon Beta-1a and Bloodroot? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
What to actually watch for

What Bloodroot Itself Has Been Linked To

This is not an interaction — nothing below involves Interferon Beta-1a. It is the side-effect record for Bloodroot on its own, from the licensed Natural Medicines monograph. If something new turns up after you add Bloodroot, this list is the first place to look.

  • Low blood pressure Additional detail

    “Orally, bloodroot is generally well tolerated when used in appropriate doses, short term (4). Nausea, vomiting, and central nervous system depression have been reported. Higher oral doses can result in glaucoma, hypotension, shock, and coma (6,12).”

    Bloodroot · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in depression.

    6 sources cited
    1. 4. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
    2. 6. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
    3. 12. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
    4. 36666. Eversole, L. R., Eversole, G. M., and Kopcik, J. Sanguinaria-associated oral leukoplakia: comparison with other benign and dysplastic leukoplakic lesions. Oral Surg.Oral Med.Oral Pathol.Oral Radiol.Endod. 2000;89(4):455-464. PubMed
    5. 36668. Allen, C. L., Loudon, J., and Mascarenhas, A. K. Sanguinaria-related leukoplakia: epidemiologic and clinicopathologic features of a recently described entity. Gen.Dent. 2001;49(6):608-614.
    6. 36707. Cullinan, M. P., Powell, R. N., Faddy, M. J., and Seymour, G. J. Efficacy of a dentifrice and oral rinse containing sanguinaria extract in conjunction with initial periodontal therapy. Aust.Dent.J. 1997;42(1):47-51. PubMed

    “Orally, high doses of bloodroot may cause hypotension (6).”

    Bloodroot · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in hypotension.

    1 source cited
    1. 6. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  • A skin rash Additional detail

    “Topically, skin contact with fresh bloodroot can cause irritation or contact dermatitis (19). Topical application of bloodroot can corrode skin and produce a thick dry scab called an eschar which falls off and results in a depressed scar. There are numerous cases of patients applying bloodroot salves topically for 3-4 hours daily for 3-12 days to skin cancers, moles and blemishes.”

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

    6 sources cited
    1. 19. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
    2. 53499. Affleck, A. G. and Varma, S. A case of do-it-yourself Mohs' surgery using bloodroot obtained from the internet. Br.J Dermatol 2007;157(5):1078-1079. PubMed
    3. 95442. Cienki JJ, Zaret L. An Internet misadventure: bloodroot salve toxicity. J Altern Complement Med. 2010;16(10):1125-7. PubMed
    4. 95444. Hou JL, Brewer JD. Black salve and bloodroot extract in dermatologic conditions. Cutis. 2015;95(6):309-11.
    5. 95445. Schilling LM, Saedi N. Bloodroot paste: what dermatologists and patients need to know. Dermatol Surg 2016;42(10):1223-4. PubMed
    6. 95446. Schlichte MJ, Downing CP, Ramirez-Fort M, Gordon R, Tyring S. Bloodroot associated eschar. Dermatol Online J 2014;20(7). DOI
  • Vomiting / Nausea Additional detail

    “Orally, bloodroot may cause nausea and vomiting (12). Some research shows that bloodroot-containing toothpastes and mouth rinses can be used for up to six months without evidence of adverse effects. However observational research has found an association between chronic use of bloodroot toothpaste or mouthwash and leukoplakia or keratoses of the mouth and lip.”

    Bloodroot · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in nausea and vomiting.

    5 sources cited
    1. 12. 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. 36679. Kuftinec, M. M., Mueller-Joseph, L. J., and Kopczyk, R. A. Sanguinaria toothpaste and oral rinse regimen clinical efficacy in short- and long-term trials. J.Can.Dent.Assoc. 1990;56(7 Suppl):31-33.
    3. 36666. Eversole, L. R., Eversole, G. M., and Kopcik, J. Sanguinaria-associated oral leukoplakia: comparison with other benign and dysplastic leukoplakic lesions. Oral Surg.Oral Med.Oral Pathol.Oral Radiol.Endod. 2000;89(4):455-464. PubMed
    4. 36668. Allen, C. L., Loudon, J., and Mascarenhas, A. K. Sanguinaria-related leukoplakia: epidemiologic and clinicopathologic features of a recently described entity. Gen.Dent. 2001;49(6):608-614.
    5. 36707. Cullinan, M. P., Powell, R. N., Faddy, M. J., and Seymour, G. J. Efficacy of a dentifrice and oral rinse containing sanguinaria extract in conjunction with initial periodontal therapy. Aust.Dent.J. 1997;42(1):47-51. PubMed

Everything above comes from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record for Bloodroot — expand a row for the licensed statement it rests on. We haven’t matched Interferon Beta-1a to its FDA label in our system yet, so we can’t compare its own side-effect list here — the leaflet that comes with your prescription is the authoritative list for Interferon Beta-1a.

Special populations

Bloodroot in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Likely Unsafe

When used orally; avoid using.

Lactation Possibly Unsafe

When used orally; 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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Interferon Beta-1a

This page covers Bloodroot 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 Angelica Archangelica (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

One more smart check

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

We hold 68 real supplement products containing Bloodroot, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Bloodroot. Even though Bloodroot itself has no known interaction with Interferon Beta-1a, 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 Bloodroot 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 Bloodroot
Top half

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

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

#2,614 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 Bloodroot reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Bloodroot and Interferon Beta-1a 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 Bloodroot

What is Bloodroot?

  • Skin growths, moles, and warts (topical)
  • Dental plaque and gum health
  • Sore throat and cough (traditional)
  • Antimicrobial uses
  • Folk remedy for skin cancer (unproven and dangerous)

Bloodroot is a North American plant whose red root sap contains potent alkaloids that are corrosive to skin and tissue. It has a long folk history, but there is no good evidence it safely treats skin cancer or other diseases, and 'black salve' products containing it can cause serious skin damage and scarring. We recommend avoiding internal use and skin-eroding products entirely.

Sanguinaria canadensis · Papaveraceae · Rhizome (root) and the red-orange sap it contains · Pastes and salves (often called 'black salve'), tinctures, mouthwash and toothpaste ingredients, and occasionally capsules

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

Bloodroot: dosing

There is no established safe or standardized dose of bloodroot for any health condition. Always read product labels, and never apply skin-eroding 'black salve' products to moles, warts, or any growth.

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

Read the full Bloodroot 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.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Interferon Beta-1a

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (192,069 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Multiple sclerosis relapse 15,851 reports
Influenza like illness 13,253 reports
Fatigue 11,554 reports
Fall 10,604 reports
Multiple sclerosis 9,358 reports
See full Interferon Beta-1a Intramuscular Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Bloodroot

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

0Major
0Moderate
0Minor
2,829No known interaction
No interaction 2,829 drugs checked — show the list
Evidence & sources

Bloodroot References

The 17 references that drive our Bloodroot 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. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  4. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  5. Tenenbaum, H., Dahan, M., and Soell, M. Effectiveness of a sanguinarine regimen after scaling and root planing. J Periodontol. 1999;70(3):307-311. PubMed
  6. Eversole, L. R., Eversole, G. M., and Kopcik, J. Sanguinaria-associated oral leukoplakia: comparison with other benign and dysplastic leukoplakic lesions. Oral Surg.Oral Med.Oral Pathol.Oral Radiol.Endod. 2000;89(4):455-464. PubMed
  7. Allen, C. L., Loudon, J., and Mascarenhas, A. K. Sanguinaria-related leukoplakia: epidemiologic and clinicopathologic features of a recently described entity. Gen.Dent. 2001;49(6):608-614.
  8. Kopczyk, R. A., Abrams, H., Brown, A. T., Matheny, J. L., and Kaplan, A. L. Clinical and microbiological effects of a sanguinaria-containing mouthrinse and dentifrice with and without fluoride during 6 months of use. J.Periodontol. 1991;62(10):617-622. PubMed
  9. Harper, D. S., Mueller, L. J., Fine, J. B., Gordon, J., and Laster, L. L. Clinical efficacy of a dentifrice and oral rinse containing sanguinaria extract and zinc chloride during 6 months of use. J.Periodontol. 1990;61(6):352-358. PubMed
  10. Kuftinec, M. M., Mueller-Joseph, L. J., and Kopczyk, R. A. Sanguinaria toothpaste and oral rinse regimen clinical efficacy in short- and long-term trials. J.Can.Dent.Assoc. 1990;56(7 Suppl):31-33.
  11. Frankos, V. H., Brusick, D. J., Johnson, E. M., Maibach, H. I., Munro, I., Squire, R. A., and Weil, C. S. Safety of Sanguinaria extract as used in commercial toothpaste and oral rinse products. J.Can.Dent.Assoc. 1990;56(7 Suppl):41-47.
  12. Cullinan, M. P., Powell, R. N., Faddy, M. J., and Seymour, G. J. Efficacy of a dentifrice and oral rinse containing sanguinaria extract in conjunction with initial periodontal therapy. Aust.Dent.J. 1997;42(1):47-51. PubMed
  13. Affleck, A. G. and Varma, S. A case of do-it-yourself Mohs' surgery using bloodroot obtained from the internet. Br.J Dermatol 2007;157(5):1078-1079. PubMed
  14. Cienki JJ, Zaret L. An Internet misadventure: bloodroot salve toxicity. J Altern Complement Med. 2010;16(10):1125-7. PubMed
  15. Hou JL, Brewer JD. Black salve and bloodroot extract in dermatologic conditions. Cutis. 2015;95(6):309-11.

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 Bloodroot and Interferon Beta-1a Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Bloodroot with Interferon Beta-1a?
We do not list a known interaction between Bloodroot and Interferon Beta-1a. 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.
Does Interferon Beta-1a interact with any supplements?
Yes. Interferon Beta-1a has documented interactions with 57 supplements in our database — Bloodroot is not one of them. The Interferon Beta-1a interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

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

Still Have a Question About Interferon Beta-1a and Bloodroot?

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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.