Echinacea - Denosumab Interaction
Herbal: Echinacea
Also Known As: American Cone Flower, Black Sampson, Black Susans, Comb Flower, Coneflower, Echinaceawurzel, Hedgehog, Igelkopfwurzel, Indian Head, Kansas Snakeroot
Drug: Denosumab
Brand names:
Prolia, XGEVA

Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
May 11, 2025
Interaction Details
Denosumab is classified as belonging to the following category: Immunosuppressants
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy because of its immunostimulant activity.
Interaction Rating
Likelihood of Occurrence
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
References
- Chavez ML, Chavez PI. Echinacea. Hosp Pharm 1998;33:180-8.
- Luettig B, Steinmuller C, Gifford GE, et al. Macrophage activation by the polysaccharide arabinogalactan isolated from plant cell cultures of Echinacea purpurea. J Natl Cancer Inst 1989;81:669-75.
- Stimpel M, Proksch A, Wagner H, et al. Macrophage activation and induction of macrophage cytotoxicity by purified polysaccharide fractions from the plant Echinacea purpurea. Infect Immun 1984;46:845-9.
- Barrett B. Medicinal properties of Echinacea: a critical review. Phytomedicine 2003;10:66-86.
Echinacea Overview

Denosumab Overview
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Denosumab injection (Prolia) is used
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to treat osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) in women who have undergone menopause (''change of life;'' end of menstrual periods) who have an increased risk for fractures (broken bones) or who cannot take or did not respond to other medication treatments for osteoporosis.
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to treat men who have an increased risk for fractures (broken bones) or who cannot take or did not respond to other medication treatments for osteoporosis.
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treat osteoporosis that is caused by corticosteroid medications in men and women who will be taking corticosteroid medications for at least 6 months and have an increased risk for fractures or who cannot take or did not respond to other medication treatments for osteoporosis.
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to treat bone loss in men who are being treated for prostate cancer with certain medications that cause bone loss,
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to treat bone loss in women with breast cancer who are receiving certain medications that increase their risk for fractures.
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Denosumab injection (Xgeva) is used
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to reduce the risk of fractures in people who have multiple myeloma (cancer that begins in the plasma cells and causes bone damage), and in people who have certain types of cancer that began in another part of the body but has spread to the bones.
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in adults and some adolescents to treat giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB; a type of bone tumor) that cannot be treated with surgery.
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to treat high calcium levels that are caused by cancer in people who did not respond to other medications.
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Echinacea - More Interactions
Echinacea interacts with 787 drugs
Interaction Rating Key
These severity listings are for informational use only. Never start, stop or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.
Major | The combined use of these agents is strongly discouraged as serious side effects or other negative outcomes could occur. |
Moderate | Use cautiously under the care of a healthcare professional or avoid this combination. A significant interaction or negative outcome could occur. |
Minor | Be aware that there is a chance of an interaction. Watch for warning signs of a potential interaction. |
Unknown | No interactions have been reported or no interaction data is currently available. |
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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
Drug descriptions are provided by MedlinePlus.