Drug & supplement interaction

Chanca Piedra + Pioglitazone

Pioglitazone brand name: Actos.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Pioglitazone falls into 2 drug categories that Chanca Piedra can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, use of chanca piedra might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP3A4 substrates.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Chanca Piedra and Pioglitazone

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Chanca Piedra interacts with whole categories of medication. Pioglitazone falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Chanca Piedra in 2 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

1 of 2

Why this applies to Pioglitazone

Pioglitazone falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES — the group Chanca Piedra interacts with.

Theoretically, use of chanca piedra might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research shows that chanca piedra extract inhibits CYP3A4. Theoretically, chanca piedra might increase the levels of CYP3A4 substrates. This interaction has not been reported in humans.
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 the gist for Actos (pioglitazone). Your liver partly clears this medicine using an enzyme called CYP3A4. In lab tests (test tube only, not in real people), chanca piedra appeared to slow that enzyme down. If that held true in the body, your pioglitazone could clear a little slower and build up, which in theory might nudge its effects up a bit.

With pioglitazone, stronger effects could mean a greater chance of low blood sugar (especially if you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea), plus fluid retention, swelling, or weight gain. The honest truth is this is theoretical and hasn't been seen in humans, so I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Still, loop in your pharmacist or doctor before combining them, and keep an eye on your blood sugars.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Husain I, Abdulrahman B, Dale OR, et al. Interaction of Phyllanthus amarus extract and its lignans with human xenobiotic receptors, drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters. J Ethnopharmacol 2025;339:119142. PubMed
Minor

ANTIDIABETES DRUGS

2 of 2

Pioglitazone also falls under ANTIDIABETES DRUGS.

Theoretically, concomitant use with antidiabetes drugs might affect glucose control and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Animal research suggests that chanca piedra can have hypoglycemic effects. However, a small clinical study in adults with diabetes shows that chanca piedra extract 25 grams orally daily for 1 week does not lower fasting or postprandial blood glucose levels.
Severity Minor Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D

Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist with chanca piedra and pioglitazone (Actos). On paper, some animal studies hint that this herb might gently lower blood sugar on its own. If that held true in people, stacking it on top of a diabetes medicine like pioglitazone could, in theory, nudge your sugar a little lower than expected. This isn't about the herb changing how pioglitazone is processed in your body; it's just two things possibly pushing blood sugar in the same direction.

That said, the real-world evidence is thin. A small human study found that chanca piedra didn't actually lower fasting or after-meal glucose. So I wouldn't lose sleep here. Just stay aware of low-sugar signs like shakiness, sweating, or dizziness, keep up your usual glucose checks, and loop in your pharmacist or doctor before adding it.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  2. Moshi, M. J., Lutale, J. J., Rimoy, G. H., Abbas, Z. G., Josiah, R. M., and Swai, A. B. The effect of Phyllanthus amarus aqueous extract on blood glucose in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. Phytother.Res 2001;15(7):577-580.
  3. Adeneye, A. A., Amole, O. O., and Adeneye, A. K. Hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic activities of the aqueous leaf and seed extract of Phyllanthus amarus in mice. Fitoterapia 2006;77(7-8):511-514. PubMed
  4. Okoli, C. O., Obidike, I. C., Ezike, A. C., Akah, P. A., and Salawu, O. A. Studies on the possible mechanisms of antidiabetic activity of extract of aerial parts of Phyllanthus niruri. Pharm.Biol. 2011;49(3):248-255.
  5. Moshi MJ, Uiso FC Mahunnah RL et al. A study of the effect of Phyllanthus amarus extracts on blood glucose in rabbits. International Journal of Pharmacognosy 1997;35(3):167-173. DOI
  6. Kumar NG, Nair AN Raghunandanan VR et al. Hypoglycaemic effect of Phyllanthus niruri leaves in rabbits. Kerala Journal of Veterinary Science 1989;20(1):77-80.
  7. Navarro M, Coussio J Hnatyszyn O et al. Hypoglycemic Effect of an Aqueous Extract of Phyllanthus sellowianus ("sarandi blanco") in C57BL/Ks mice. Acta Farmaceutica Bonaerense 2004;23:520-523.

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

Chanca Piedra Also Interacts With Other Medications

Chanca Piedra has 870 moderate, 149 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Pioglitazone one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 870 Minor 149 No known interaction 1,811 (incl. Pioglitazone)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Chanca Piedra

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Pioglitazone

This page covers Chanca Piedra only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Pioglitazone page lists 356 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Beer (major), Grapefruit (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major) and St. John's Wort (major).

By severity: 6 major · 309 moderate · 41 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Pioglitazone page

“Most of what appears on this pioglitazone (Actos) list shares one trait: the ingredients lower blood sugar on their own, which sounds helpful until you remember pioglitazone already does that job for people with type 2 diabetes. Stacked together, they can push glucose too low, and I would read this list with genuine care.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Pioglitazone interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 355 real supplement products containing Chanca Piedra, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Chanca Piedra. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Pioglitazone too, on top of Chanca Piedra — 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 Chanca Piedra and Pioglitazone 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 Chanca Piedra
Top half

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

29 days ago today
Medication Pioglitazone
Steady interest

#1,683 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 Chanca Piedra

What is Chanca Piedra?

Chanca Piedra
  • Kidney stones
  • Gallstones
  • Liver support
  • Urinary tract health
  • Digestive complaints

Chanca piedra is a tropical herb traditionally used as a 'stone breaker' for kidney and gallstones, and for liver and urinary health. Human evidence for these uses is limited and mostly small or preliminary, so it should not replace proven treatments. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you have a medical condition or take medications.

Read the full Chanca Piedra monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Pioglitazone

What Is Pioglitazone Used For?

Brand name: Actos

Pioglitazone tablets — sold as Actos and under the generic names Pioglitazone and Pioglitazone Hydrochloride — are used to improve blood sugar (glucose) control in adults with type 2 diabetes. They are taken along with diet and exercise, either alone or combined with other diabetes medicines such as a sulfonylurea, metformin, or insulin.

Pioglitazone is not for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious complication where the blood becomes too acidic). It only works when the body is still producing some of its own insulin.

See full Pioglitazone drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Chanca Piedra

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

0Major
870Moderate
149Minor
1,810No known interaction
870 Moderate 149 Minor 1,810 No interaction
Moderate

870 interactions

Showing 60 of 870 moderate interactions — see all 870 on the Chanca Piedra page.

Minor

149 interactions

Showing 60 of 149 minor interactions — see all 149 on the Chanca Piedra page.

No interaction 1,810 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,810 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Chanca Piedra list.

See the full Chanca Piedra interactions page
See every supplement checked against Pioglitazone, ranked by severity
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

Keep exploring
Chanca Piedra monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Pioglitazone supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Pioglitazone, ranked by severity Pioglitazone drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Chanca Piedra and Pioglitazone Together: Common Questions

Can you take Chanca Piedra with Pioglitazone?
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.
Why are there 2 interactions listed for Chanca Piedra and Pioglitazone?
Pioglitazone belongs to more than one drug category, and Chanca Piedra interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Chanca Piedra and Pioglitazone 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

Still Have a Question About Pioglitazone and Chanca Piedra?

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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.