Drug & supplement interaction

Chlorophyll + Interferon Beta-1a

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

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

Chlorophyll has a moderate interaction with Interferon Beta-1a. Theoretically, concomitant use of chlorophyll with photosensitizing drugs may have additive effects.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodProbable
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
Know someone taking this? Share
Facebook Post Reddit Email
On this page
Interaction report

Chlorophyll and Interferon Beta-1a

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

Moderate

PHOTOSENSITIZING DRUGS

Why this applies to Interferon Beta-1a

Interferon Beta-1a falls under PHOTOSENSITIZING DRUGS — the group Chlorophyll interacts with.

Theoretically, concomitant use of chlorophyll with photosensitizing drugs may have additive effects.
Chlorophyll has been reported to cause photosensitization. In two case reports, pseudoporphyria developed after oral intake of chlorophyll. Theoretically, concomitant use with other photosensitizing drugs may exacerbate this effect.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence B

Interaction 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..

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

Here's the short version: this isn't about how your body breaks down Interferon Beta-1a (Rebif, Avonex). Instead, both chlorophyll and interferon can independently make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Put them together and that sun sensitivity could stack up, meaning you might sunburn faster or notice rashes more easily. There are even a couple of rare reports of a skin reaction called pseudoporphyria after taking chlorophyll by mouth.

I'll be honest, this is mostly a theoretical concern based on limited reports, not strong proof. Still, it's easy to play it safe: use sunscreen, cover up, and watch for any unusual rash or burning. If you'd like to add a chlorophyll supplement, just run it by your pharmacist or neurologist first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Mathews-Roth MM. Carotenoids in erythropoietic protoporphyria and other photosensitivity diseases. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1993; 691:127-38. PubMed
  2. Rossi E, Borchard K, Cole JM. Pseudoporphyria following self-medication with chlorophyll. Australas J Dermatol. 2015 Feb;56(1):47-8. PubMed

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

Chlorophyll Also Interacts With Other Medications

Chlorophyll has 336 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Interferon Beta-1a one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 336 No known interaction 2,494 (incl. Interferon Beta-1a)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Chlorophyll

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Chlorophyll or Interferon Beta-1a

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Chlorophyll or Interferon Beta-1a, 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 Interferon Beta-1a

This page covers Chlorophyll 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 Chlorophyll as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 996 real supplement products containing Chlorophyll, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Chlorophyll. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Interferon Beta-1a too, on top of Chlorophyll — 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 Chlorophyll 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 Chlorophyll
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Interferon Beta-1a
Top half

#1,195 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 Chlorophyll

What is Chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll
  • Body and breath odor reduction
  • Wound healing (topical)
  • Detoxification
  • Antioxidant support
  • Skin health

Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants and algae, and supplements often use a stable form called chlorophyllin. It is most studied for reducing body and fecal odor and as a topical wound aid, but evidence for popular claims like detox and weight loss is weak. It is generally well tolerated for most adults, but talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Read the full Chlorophyll 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.

See full Interferon Beta-1a Intramuscular Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Chlorophyll

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

0Major
336Moderate
0Minor
2,493No known interaction
336 Moderate 2,493 No interaction
Moderate

336 interactions

Showing 60 of 336 moderate interactions — see all 336 on the Chlorophyll page.

No interaction 2,493 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,493 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Chlorophyll list.

See the full Chlorophyll interactions page
See every supplement checked against Interferon Beta-1a, 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
Chlorophyll monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Interferon Beta-1a supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Interferon Beta-1a, ranked by severity Interferon Beta-1a Intramuscular Injection 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 Chlorophyll and Interferon Beta-1a Together: Common Questions

Can you take Chlorophyll with Interferon Beta-1a?
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 Chlorophyll and Interferon Beta-1a 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 Interferon Beta-1a and Chlorophyll?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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.