Drug & supplement interaction

Chlorophyllin + Protriptyline

Protriptyline brand name: Vivactil.

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

Chlorophyllin has a moderate interaction with Protriptyline. Theoretically, concomitant use of chlorophyllin with photosensitizing drugs may have additive effects.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodProbable
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Chlorophyllin and Protriptyline

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

Moderate

PHOTOSENSITIZING DRUGS

Why this applies to Protriptyline

Protriptyline falls under PHOTOSENSITIZING DRUGS — the group Chlorophyllin interacts with.

Theoretically, concomitant use of chlorophyllin with photosensitizing drugs may have additive effects.
Chlorophyllin is a semi-synthetic derivative of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll has been reported to cause photosensitization. Orally, chlorophyll has also been associated with the development of pseudoporphyria in multiple case reports.
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 deal with pairing chlorophyllin and protriptyline. This isn't about chlorophyllin changing how your body processes the antidepressant or how strong it feels. Instead, both can independently make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Protriptyline, like other tricyclic antidepressants, already carries a known tendency to cause photosensitivity, meaning you may sunburn faster or break out in a rash with sun exposure. Chlorophyllin may add to that.

The concern here is mostly theoretical and based on a handful of case reports, so don't panic. Just be smart: wear sunscreen, cover up, and limit long sun exposure. If you notice unusual burning or a rash, check in with your pharmacist or doctor.

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
  3. Zhao CY, Frew JW, Muhaidat J, et al. Chlorophyll-induced pseudoporphyria with ongoing photosensitivity after cessation - a case series of four patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2016;30(7):1239-42. 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

Chlorophyllin Also Interacts With Other Medications

Chlorophyllin has 334 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Protriptyline one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 334 No known interaction 2,496 (incl. Protriptyline)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Chlorophyllin

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Chlorophyllin or Protriptyline

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

This page covers Chlorophyllin only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Protriptyline page lists 93 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Henbane (major), Lithium (major), Scopolia (major) and 5-htp (moderate).

By severity: 4 major · 71 moderate · 18 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Protriptyline page

“Protriptyline (Vivactil) is an older tricyclic antidepressant, and I read its supplement list with genuine care because so much of it piles onto what the drug already does. Four of the 93 ingredients on file rate major, and those deserve your attention before anything else.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Protriptyline interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 357 real supplement products containing Chlorophyllin, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Chlorophyllin. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Protriptyline too, on top of Chlorophyllin — 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 Chlorophyllin and Protriptyline 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 Chlorophyllin
Steady interest

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

29 days ago today
Medication Protriptyline
Top half

#773 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 Chlorophyllin

What is Chlorophyllin?

Chlorophyllin
  • Body and breath odor control
  • Wound and skin care
  • Internal deodorant for ostomy or incontinence
  • Detoxification claims
  • Digestive support

Chlorophyllin is a water-soluble, semi-synthetic form of chlorophyll most often used to help control body and fecal odor and to support wound healing. The best evidence is for its use as a deodorizing agent, while many popular claims like detoxification and digestive benefits are not well proven. It is generally considered safe for short-term use, but talk to your pharmacist or doctor before starting it, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Read the full Chlorophyllin monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Protriptyline

What Is Protriptyline Used For?

Brand name: Vivactil

Protriptyline Hydrochloride tablets are used to treat symptoms of mental depression in patients who are under close medical supervision. Because it has activating (energizing) properties rather than sedating ones, it may be especially useful for people with depression who feel withdrawn or have very low energy.

See full Protriptyline drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Chlorophyllin

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

0Major
334Moderate
0Minor
2,495No known interaction
334 Moderate 2,495 No interaction
Moderate

334 interactions

Showing 60 of 334 moderate interactions — see all 334 on the Chlorophyllin page.

No interaction 2,495 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,495 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Chlorophyllin list.

See the full Chlorophyllin interactions page
See every supplement checked against Protriptyline, 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
Chlorophyllin monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Protriptyline supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Protriptyline, ranked by severity Protriptyline 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 Chlorophyllin and Protriptyline Together: Common Questions

Can you take Chlorophyllin with Protriptyline?
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 Chlorophyllin and Protriptyline 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 Protriptyline and Chlorophyllin?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

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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.