Drug & supplement interaction

Cassava + Exenatide

Exenatide brand names: Byetta, Bydureon.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Cassava and Exenatide 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

Cassava and Exenatide

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 Exenatide and Cassava 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.

Cassava safety at a glance

Cassava overall Use caution Properly cooked cassava is a common food, but raw or poorly processed cassava can cause cyanide poisoning.
Pregnancy Possibly Unsafe When used orally as a food, especially in large quantities. Animal research suggests that consuming milled cassava powder as 80% of the diet during the first 15... Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Possibly Unsafe When used orally in food amounts, especially in large quantities. Excess consumption of cassava during lactation may increase the risk of exposing the infant to... 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 Exenatide and Cassava? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Exenatide

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Exenatide is filed under a single classification — antidiabetes drugs. Cassava has documented interactions with 1 drug class — the most serious being thyroid hormone (moderate) — and none of Exenatide’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

Cassava Does Interact With Other Medications

Cassava has 16 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Exenatide 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 Cassava

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

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Cassava and Exenatide 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. 4 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Pancreatitis Worth acting on Additional detail

    Cassava

    “Orally, cassava may cause cyanide poisoning. Cassava, especially the bitter variety, contains cyanogenic glycosides. If not removed during processing, these constituents are converted to cyanogens. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning can include vomiting, nausea, stomach pains, and diarrhea, as well as dizziness, weakness, and headache..”

    Cassava · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cluster headache.

    6 sources cited
    1. 26585. Cardoso AP, Mirione E, Ernesto M, et al. Processing of cassava roots to remove cyanogens. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 2005;18(5):451-60. DOI
    2. 25841. Hernandez T, Lundquist P, Oliveira L, et al. Fate in humans of dietary intake of cyanogenic glycosides from roots of sweet cassava consumed in Cuba. Nat Toxins 1995;3(2):114-7. PubMed
    3. 25843. Ariffin WA, Choo KE, Karnaneedi S. Cassava (ubi kayu) poisoning in children. Med J Malaysia 1992;47(3):231-4.
    4. 25844. Tylleskar T, Banea M, Bikangi N, et al. Cassava cyanogens and konzo, an upper motoneuron disease found in Africa. Lancet 1992;339(8787):208-11. PubMed
    5. 25854. Assan R, Assan D, Thiebaut MF, et al. [Diabetogenic tropical pancreatitis]. Diabete Metab 1988;14(3):299-312.
    6. 25856. Balakrishnan V, Unnikrishnan AG, Thomas V, et al. Chronic pancreatitis. A prospective nationwide study of 1,086 subjects from India. JOP 2008;9(5):593-600.

    “Orally, cassava has been associated with an increased risk of hypothyroidism and endemic goiter, particularly when consumed after poor processing or along with a protein-deficient diet. Cassava, especially the bitter varieties, contains cyanogenic glycosides. If not removed during processing, these constituents are converted to cyanogens, which disrupt thyroid hormone production by decreasing iodine absorption.”

    Cassava · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in hypothyroidism.

    6 sources cited
    1. 25841. Hernandez T, Lundquist P, Oliveira L, et al. Fate in humans of dietary intake of cyanogenic glycosides from roots of sweet cassava consumed in Cuba. Nat Toxins 1995;3(2):114-7. PubMed
    2. 25843. Ariffin WA, Choo KE, Karnaneedi S. Cassava (ubi kayu) poisoning in children. Med J Malaysia 1992;47(3):231-4.
    3. 25844. Tylleskar T, Banea M, Bikangi N, et al. Cassava cyanogens and konzo, an upper motoneuron disease found in Africa. Lancet 1992;339(8787):208-11. PubMed
    4. 25847. Osman BA, Ng ML, Bakar AA, Khalid BA. The effect of cassava leave intake on thyroid hormone and urinary iodine. East Afr Med J 1993;70(5):314-5.
    5. 25854. Assan R, Assan D, Thiebaut MF, et al. [Diabetogenic tropical pancreatitis]. Diabete Metab 1988;14(3):299-312.
    6. 25856. Balakrishnan V, Unnikrishnan AG, Thomas V, et al. Chronic pancreatitis. A prospective nationwide study of 1,086 subjects from India. JOP 2008;9(5):593-600.

    Exenatide

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

  • A severe allergic reaction / Hives Worth acting on Additional detail

    Cassava

    “Rarely, cases of IgE-mediated allergic reaction have been reported after consumption of cassava. Reactions have included generalized urticaria, angioedema, respiratory distress, dry cough, and anaphylaxis. To date, all patients with confirmed cassava allergy also had an existing, confirmed latex allergy. It is hypothesized that cassava allergy results from primary sensitization to latex.”

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

    3 sources cited
    1. 99802. Sánchez D, Sus S, Ortiz B, Sánchez J, Cardona R. Cross-reactivity Between Cassava and Latex in a Colombian Patient With an Anaphylactic Reaction. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2015;25(6):453-5.
    2. 99806. Antolin-Amerigo D, Rodriguez-Rodriguez M, Barbarroja-Escudero J, Postigo Resa I, Uribe-Etxebarría MC, Alvarez-Mon M. Hypersensitivity to cassava: an allergen-based assessment. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2012;22(5):385-6.
    3. 99807. Santos KS, Galvao CE, Gadermaier G, et al. Allergic reactions to manioc (Manihot esculenta Crantz): identification of novel allergens with potential involvement in latex-fruit syndrome. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011 Dec;128(6):1367-9. Epub 2011 Aug 19. PubMed

    Exenatide

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

  • An allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail

    Cassava

    Recorded for Cassava in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Pancreatitis above.

    Exenatide

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

  • Nausea / Vomiting / Diarrhea reported in 23.0% of FDA reports for Exenatide Additional detail

    Cassava

    “Orally, cassava can cause cyanide poisoning. Cassava, especially the bitter varieties, contains cyanogenic glycosides. If not removed during processing, these constituents are converted to cyanogens. Gastrointestinal symptoms of cyanide poisoning can include vomiting, nausea, stomach pains, and diarrhea.”

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

    1 source cited
    1. 26585. Cardoso AP, Mirione E, Ernesto M, et al. Processing of cassava roots to remove cyanogens. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 2005;18(5):451-60. DOI

    Exenatide

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

  • Dizziness / Headache Additional detail

    Cassava

    “Orally, cassava can cause cyanide poisoning. Cassava, especially the bitter variety, contains cyanogenic glycosides. If not removed during processing, these constituents are converted to cyanogens. Neurological symptoms of cyanide poisoning include dizziness, weakness, and headache.”

    Cassava · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cluster headache.

    6 sources cited
    1. 26585. Cardoso AP, Mirione E, Ernesto M, et al. Processing of cassava roots to remove cyanogens. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 2005;18(5):451-60. DOI
    2. 25844. Tylleskar T, Banea M, Bikangi N, et al. Cassava cyanogens and konzo, an upper motoneuron disease found in Africa. Lancet 1992;339(8787):208-11. PubMed
    3. 25859. Cliff J, Lundqvist P, Martensson J, et al. Association of high cyanide and low sulphur intake in cassava-induced spastic paraparesis. Lancet 1985;2(8466):1211-3. PubMed
    4. 25860. Paula Cardoso A, Ernesto M, Nicala D, et al. Combination of cassava flour cyanide and urinary thiocyanate measurements of school children in Mozambique. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2004;55(3):183-90. PubMed
    5. 25861. Dumas M, Giordano C, Ndiaye IP, et al. [The concept of tropical neuromyelopathy]. Bull Soc Pathol Exot Filiales 1988;81(2):183-8.
    6. 99804. Banea JP, Bradbury JH, Mandombi C, et al. Control of konzo by detoxification of cassava flour in three villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Food Chem Toxicol. 2013 Oct;60:506-13. Epub 2013 Aug 11. PubMed

    Exenatide

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

Reported for Cassava but not commonly for Exenatide: shortness of breath, a change in thyroid levels, loss of vision and cough.

Effects for Exenatide come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Cassava come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 52,314 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Exenatide 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

Cassava in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Possibly Unsafe

When used orally as a food, especially in large quantities. Animal research suggests that consuming milled cassava powder as 80% of the diet during the first 15 days of pregnancy can cause teratogenic effects, including intrauterine growth restriction, limb defects, and abnormally small brain (microencephaly). Also, epidemiological evidence suggests that pregnant women who regularly consume dietary cassava in the form of gari during pregnancy have higher levels of thiocyanate, which has negative effects on fetal birthweight, compared to those who do not consume cassava. ...when applied intravaginally. Inserting 2-3 cm of cassava stalk into the vagina has been used to induce abortion and labor.

Lactation Possibly Unsafe

When used orally in food amounts, especially in large quantities. Excess consumption of cassava during lactation may increase the risk of exposing the infant to thiocyanate, which can negatively affect thyroid function in the infant.

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 Exenatide Is Prescribed For, and What Cassava Has Been Studied For

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

Exenatide is prescribed for: Exenatide injection is used as an addition to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is not a substitute for healthy lifestyle changes — it works best when combined with them. It should not be used together with other exenatide-containing products. The brands Byetta, Bydureon, and BYDUREON BCise all contain exenatide and should never be combined with each other.

Cassava has been studied for:

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

    Cassava for diabetes

    Observational research suggests that higher dietary intake of cassava flour is linked with a 9% reduced risk for developing type 2 diabetes when compared with lower dietary intake.

    1 source cited
    1. 99803. Rosa ML, Falcão PM, Yokoo EM, et al. Brazil's staple food and incident diabetes. Nutrition. 2014 Mar;30(3):365-8. Epub 2013 Oct 2. PubMed

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 Exenatide on your own; if you are taking Cassava for the same health topic, tell your prescriber, especially if the medicine is being adjusted to a target.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Exenatide

This page covers Cassava only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Exenatide page lists 239 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Siberian Cocklebur (major), Acai (moderate), African Wild Potato (moderate), Agaricus Mushroom (moderate) and Agmatine (moderate).

By severity: 1 major · 208 moderate · 30 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Exenatide page

“Because exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon) exists to lower blood sugar, nearly every supplement on this list pulls at that same lever, and I treat that as a genuine warning rather than a footnote. Most entries, including everyday items like fenugreek, bitter melon, flaxseed, and ginseng, can drop glucose further and raise the odds of hypogly…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Exenatide interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 35 real supplement products containing Cassava, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Cassava. Even though Cassava itself has no known interaction with Exenatide, 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 Cassava and Exenatide 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 Cassava
Steady interest

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

29 days ago today
Medication Exenatide
Top half

#1,098 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 Cassava reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Cassava and Exenatide 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 Cassava

What is Cassava?

Cassava
  • Dietary staple/source of carbohydrates
  • Fertility aid (to conceive twins)
  • Digestive support
  • General energy
  • Gluten-free flour alternative

Cassava is a starchy root vegetable that feeds millions of people worldwide, but it must be properly cooked or processed because the raw plant contains compounds that release cyanide. As a supplement, it is marketed for fertility and twin conception, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these claims. Always prepare cassava correctly and talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using cassava products for health reasons.

Manihot esculenta · Euphorbiaceae · Starchy root (tuber) and leaves · Whole root, flour, tapioca, dried powder, capsules

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

Cassava: dosing

There is no established or standardized dose for cassava as a supplement. As a food, it is simply prepared and eaten in normal serving sizes after proper cooking.For cassava supplements or flour products, follow the directions on the product label.

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

Read the full Cassava monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Exenatide Injection

What Is Exenatide Injection Used For?

Brand names: Byetta, Bydureon

Exenatide injection is used as an addition to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is not a substitute for healthy lifestyle changes — it works best when combined with them.

It should not be used together with other exenatide-containing products. The brands Byetta, Bydureon, and BYDUREON BCise all contain exenatide and should never be combined with each other.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Exenatide

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (52,314 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Blood glucose increased 15,475 reports
Weight decreased 12,125 reports
Nausea 12,042 reports
Decreased appetite 5,643 reports
Blood glucose decreased 5,517 reports
See full Exenatide Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Cassava

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

0Major
16Moderate
0Minor
2,813No known interaction
Moderate

16 interactions

No interaction 2,813 drugs checked — show the list
Evidence & sources

Cassava References

The 30 references that drive our Cassava 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. Hernandez T, Lundquist P, Oliveira L, et al. Fate in humans of dietary intake of cyanogenic glycosides from roots of sweet cassava consumed in Cuba. Nat Toxins 1995;3(2):114-7. PubMed
  2. Ariffin WA, Choo KE, Karnaneedi S. Cassava (ubi kayu) poisoning in children. Med J Malaysia 1992;47(3):231-4.
  3. Tylleskar T, Banea M, Bikangi N, et al. Cassava cyanogens and konzo, an upper motoneuron disease found in Africa. Lancet 1992;339(8787):208-11. PubMed
  4. Akindahunsi AA, Grissom FE, Adewusi SR, et al. Parameters of thyroid function in the endemic goitre of Akungba and Oke-Agbe villages of Akoko area of southwestern Nigeria. Afr J Med Med Sci 1998;27(3-4):239-42.
  5. Osman BA, Ng ML, Bakar AA, Khalid BA. The effect of cassava leave intake on thyroid hormone and urinary iodine. East Afr Med J 1993;70(5):314-5.
  6. Gaitan E, Cooksey RC, Legan J, et al. Antithyroid effects in vivo and in vitro of babassu and mandioca: a staple food in goiter areas of Brazil. Eur J Endocrinol 1994;131(2):138-44. PubMed
  7. Geelhoed GW. Metabolic maladaptation: individual and social consequences of medical intervention in correcting endemic hypothyroidism. Nutrition 1999;15(11-12):908-32. DOI
  8. Biassoni P, Ravera G, Bertocchi J, et al. Influence of dietary habits on thyroid status of a nomadic people, the Bororo shepherds, roaming a central African region affected by severe iodine deficiency. Eur J Endocrinol 1998;138(6):681-5. PubMed
  9. Delange F. The disorders induced by iodine deficiency. Thyroid 1994;4(1):107-28. PubMed
  10. Delange F. [The role of goitrogenic factors distinct from iodine deficiency in the etiology of goiter]. Ann Endocrinol (Paris) 1988;49(4-5):302-5.
  11. Assan R, Assan D, Thiebaut MF, et al. [Diabetogenic tropical pancreatitis]. Diabete Metab 1988;14(3):299-312.
  12. Balakrishnan V, Unnikrishnan AG, Thomas V, et al. Chronic pancreatitis. A prospective nationwide study of 1,086 subjects from India. JOP 2008;9(5):593-600.
  13. Cliff J, Lundqvist P, Martensson J, et al. Association of high cyanide and low sulphur intake in cassava-induced spastic paraparesis. Lancet 1985;2(8466):1211-3. PubMed
  14. Paula Cardoso A, Ernesto M, Nicala D, et al. Combination of cassava flour cyanide and urinary thiocyanate measurements of school children in Mozambique. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2004;55(3):183-90. PubMed
  15. Dumas M, Giordano C, Ndiaye IP, et al. [The concept of tropical neuromyelopathy]. Bull Soc Pathol Exot Filiales 1988;81(2):183-8.

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 Cassava and Exenatide Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Cassava with Exenatide?
We do not list a known interaction between Cassava and Exenatide. 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 Cassava and Exenatide have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 9 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 Cassava and Exenatide 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 Cassava in each. That is a conversation for your prescriber, especially if Exenatide is being adjusted to a target.
How was the Cassava and Exenatide combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Exenatide is filed under 1 classification, and Cassava has documented interactions with 1 drug class — none of Exenatide'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 Cassava interact with any other medications?
Yes. Cassava has 16 documented drug interactions in our database — Exenatide 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 Exenatide interact with any supplements?
Yes. Exenatide has documented interactions with 239 supplements in our database — Cassava is not one of them. The Exenatide 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 Exenatide and Cassava?

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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.