Drug & supplement interaction

Boldo + Paroxetine

Paroxetine brand names: Paxil CR, Paxil, Brisdelle.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Boldo and Paroxetine 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

Boldo and Paroxetine

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 Paroxetine and Boldo 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.

Boldo safety at a glance

Boldo overall Use caution May be used short-term in low doses, but the ascaridole in the leaf and oil can harm the liver.
Pregnancy Possibly Unsafe When used orally in medicinal amounts. In animals, boldo and the constituent boldine have abortive and teratogenic effects. Also, the ascaridole constituent of... Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Possibly Unsafe When used orally in medicinal amounts. In animals, boldo and the constituent boldine have abortive and teratogenic effects. Also, the ascaridole constituent of... 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 Paroxetine and Boldo? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Paroxetine

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Paroxetine is filed under 12 classifications — including antidepressant drugs, cytochrome p450 2c19 (cyp2c19) inhibitors, cytochrome p450 2c9 (cyp2c9) inhibitors. Boldo has documented interactions with 5 drug classes — the most serious being anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs (moderate), hepatotoxic drugs (moderate) and lithium (moderate) — and none of Paroxetine’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

Boldo Does Interact With Other Medications

Boldo has 482 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Paroxetine isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Boldo

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

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Boldo and Paroxetine 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.

  • Reduced appetite Additional detail

    Boldo

    “Orally, boldo is thought to potentially cause hepatotoxicity. The volatile oil from the boldo leaf contains the liver toxin, ascaridole. In one case report, a manufacturer of an herbal laxative reformulated their product to contain boldo.”

    Boldo · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in alcohol-related liver disease.

    3 sources cited
    1. 13178. Piscaglia F, Leoni S, Venturi A, et al. Caution in the use of boldo in herbal laxatives: a case of hepatotoxicity. Scand J Gastroenterol 2005;40:236-9. PubMed
    2. 100304. Ribeiro RJ, Silvestre C, Duarte C. Hidden risks of alternative medicines: a case of boldo-induced hepatotoxicity. J Diet Suppl 2017;14(2):186-90. PubMed
    3. 106431. Oliveira Sá A, Pimentel T, Oliveira N. Boldo-Induced Hepatotoxicity: A Case of Unexplained Jaundice. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2020;7(12):002116. PubMed

    “In one case report, a manufacturer of an herbal laxative reformulated their product to contain boldo. Within 5 months of switching to this reformulated product, an 82-year-old male developed abdominal discomfort with gastrointestinal upset including heartburn.”

    Boldo · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in anorexia.

    2 sources cited
    1. 13178. Piscaglia F, Leoni S, Venturi A, et al. Caution in the use of boldo in herbal laxatives: a case of hepatotoxicity. Scand J Gastroenterol 2005;40:236-9. PubMed
    2. 100304. Ribeiro RJ, Silvestre C, Duarte C. Hidden risks of alternative medicines: a case of boldo-induced hepatotoxicity. J Diet Suppl 2017;14(2):186-90. PubMed

    Paroxetine

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

  • Stomach upset Additional detail

    Boldo

    Recorded for Boldo in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Reduced appetite above.

    Paroxetine

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

  • Stomach pain Additional detail

    Boldo

    “Orally, boldo is generally well tolerated when used in amounts commonly found in foods. However, when used in medicinal amounts, boldo can cause significant adverse effects such as hepatotoxicity. There is currently a limited amount of information on the adverse effects of topical boldo;”

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

    Paroxetine

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

  • Tiredness Additional detail

    Boldo

    Recorded for Boldo in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Reduced appetite above.

    Paroxetine

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

  • A skin rash Additional detail

    Boldo

    “Topically, boldo can be irritating when applied to the skin (4). In one case report, a healthy 64-year-old patient experienced allergic contact dermatitis in an airborne pattern on the face, arms, and dorsum of both hands following airborne exposure to boldo. After exposure to boldo was avoided, the dermatitis resolved.”

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

    2 sources cited
    1. 4. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
    2. 106433. Valdes R, Feuereisen A, Bellinghausen M. Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Boldo. Dermatitis 2021;32(2):e31-e32. PubMed

    Paroxetine

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

  • Vomiting / Nausea Additional detail

    Boldo

    Recorded for Boldo in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Stomach pain above.

    Paroxetine

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

Reported for Boldo but not commonly for Paroxetine: an irregular heartbeat, liver problems, a fast or pounding heartbeat and weight loss.

Effects for Paroxetine come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Boldo come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Boldo in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy And Lactation Possibly Unsafe

When used orally in medicinal amounts. In animals, boldo and the constituent boldine have abortive and teratogenic effects. Also, the ascaridole constituent of boldo is a liver toxin.

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 Boldo or Paroxetine

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

This page covers Boldo only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Paroxetine page lists 134 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Iboga (major), Lithium (major), 1,3-dmaa (moderate) and 5-htp (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 105 moderate · 26 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Paroxetine page

“I treat paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR, Brisdelle) as a medication where supplement choices genuinely matter, not one to wave through. This antidepressant raises serotonin, so about twenty of the ingredients listed here, lithium among them, can push serotonin too high and risk serotonin syndrome, a dangerous reaction.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Paroxetine interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 173 real supplement products containing Boldo, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Boldo. Even though Boldo itself has no known interaction with Paroxetine, 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 Boldo and Paroxetine 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 Boldo
Top half

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

29 days ago today
Medication Paroxetine
Top half

#1,069 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 Boldo reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Boldo and Paroxetine 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 Boldo

What is Boldo?

Boldo
  • Indigestion and bloating
  • Mild constipation
  • Liver and gallbladder support
  • Appetite stimulation
  • Urinary complaints

Boldo is a South American shrub whose leaves are traditionally used for digestive and gallbladder complaints, but good human evidence is very limited. The leaves and oil contain ascaridole, which can be toxic to the liver, so only ascaridole-free products should be used and only for short periods. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before trying it, and avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Peumus boldus · Monimiaceae · Leaves and essential oil · Tea, dried leaf, tincture, capsules, essential oil

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

Boldo: dosing

There is no well-established standardized dose for boldo, and products vary widely in strength and in how much ascaridole they contain. Because of this, it is best to follow the directions on the product label and use it only for short periods.Choose products labeled as ascaridole-free when possible, and avoid the pure essential oil.

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

Read the full Boldo monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Paroxetine

What Is Paroxetine Used For?

Brand names: Paxil CR, Paxil, Brisdelle

Paroxetine tablets, film-coated tablets, and oral suspensions are approved in adults for major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The extended-release tablet forms (Paxil CR, paroxetine HCL CR, and paroxetine extended-release tablets) are approved in adults for MDD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Brisdelle (paroxetine 7.5 mg capsule) and generic paroxetine capsules are approved specifically for moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes) associated with menopause — not for any psychiatric condition. Paroxetine tablets are not approved for use in children.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Paroxetine

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (91,207 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Drug withdrawal syndrome 6,210 reports
Nausea 6,139 reports
Dizziness 5,469 reports
Fatigue 5,430 reports
Anxiety 5,396 reports
See full Paroxetine drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Boldo

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

0Major
482Moderate
0Minor
2,347No known interaction
Moderate

482 interactions

Showing 60 of 482 moderate interactions — see all 482 on the Boldo page.

No interaction 2,347 drugs checked — show the list
Evidence & sources

Boldo References

The 10 references that drive our Boldo 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. Lambert J, Cormier J. Potential interaction between warfarin and boldo-fenugreek. Pharmacotherapy 2001;21:509-12. PubMed
  3. Piscaglia F, Leoni S, Venturi A, et al. Caution in the use of boldo in herbal laxatives: a case of hepatotoxicity. Scand J Gastroenterol 2005;40:236-9. PubMed
  4. Agarwal SC, Crook JR, Pepper CB. Herbal remedies -- how safe are they? A case report of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation induced by herbal medication used for obesity. Int J Cardiol 2006;106:260-1. PubMed
  5. Teng, C. M., Hsueh, C. M., Chang, Y. L., Ko, F. N., Lee, S. S., and Liu, K. C. Antiplatelet effects of some aporphine and phenanthrene alkaloids in rabbits and man. J Pharm Pharmacol 1997;49(7):706-711. PubMed
  6. Carbajal R, Yisfalem A, Pradhan N, et al. Case report: Boldo (Peumus boldus) and tacrolimus interaction in a renal transplant patient. Transplant Proc 2014;46(7):2400-2. PubMed
  7. Almeida ER, Melo AM, Xavier H. Toxicological evaluation of the hydro-alcohol extract of the dry leaves of Peumus boldus and boldine in rats. Phytother Res 2000;14(2):99-102. DOI
  8. Ribeiro RJ, Silvestre C, Duarte C. Hidden risks of alternative medicines: a case of boldo-induced hepatotoxicity. J Diet Suppl 2017;14(2):186-90. PubMed
  9. Oliveira Sá A, Pimentel T, Oliveira N. Boldo-Induced Hepatotoxicity: A Case of Unexplained Jaundice. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2020;7(12):002116. PubMed
  10. Valdes R, Feuereisen A, Bellinghausen M. Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Boldo. Dermatitis 2021;32(2):e31-e32. PubMed

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 Boldo and Paroxetine Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Boldo with Paroxetine?
We do not list a known interaction between Boldo and Paroxetine. 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 Boldo and Paroxetine have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 7 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 Boldo and Paroxetine combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Paroxetine is filed under 12 classifications, and Boldo has documented interactions with 5 drug classes — none of Paroxetine'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 Boldo interact with any other medications?
Yes. Boldo has 482 documented drug interactions in our database — Paroxetine 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 Paroxetine interact with any supplements?
Yes. Paroxetine has documented interactions with 134 supplements in our database — Boldo is not one of them. The Paroxetine 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 Paroxetine and Boldo?

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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.