Drug & supplement interaction

Eucalyptus + Saxagliptin

Saxagliptin brand name: Onglyza.

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

Eucalyptus has a moderate interaction with Saxagliptin. Theoretically, eucalyptus leaf might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.

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

Eucalyptus and Saxagliptin

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

Moderate

ANTIDIABETES DRUGS

Why this applies to Saxagliptin

Saxagliptin falls under ANTIDIABETES DRUGS — the group Eucalyptus interacts with.

Theoretically, eucalyptus leaf might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Animal research suggests that eucalyptus leaf might have hypoglycemic activity, and might have additive effects when used with antidiabetes drugs.
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 with saxagliptin (Onglyza) and eucalyptus: this is a theoretical, low-strength concern. In animal studies, eucalyptus leaf showed some blood-sugar-lowering activity of its own. The worry is that stacking that on top of a diabetes medicine could nudge your sugar a little lower than expected, which is what we call an additive effect.

On its own, saxagliptin rarely causes hypoglycemia, so this isn't a big alarm. Still, if you also take other diabetes meds, watch for shakiness, sweating, dizziness, or feeling unusually hungry. This is based only on lab and animal data, not real patient reports. Eucalyptus vapor rubs or lozenges almost certainly won't matter. Before taking concentrated eucalyptus by mouth, check with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Gray AM, Flatt PR. Antihyperglycemic actions of Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus) are associated with pancreatic and extra-pancreatic effects in mice. J Nutr 1998;128:2319-23. 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

Eucalyptus Also Interacts With Other Medications

Eucalyptus has 877 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Saxagliptin one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 877 No known interaction 1,953 (incl. Saxagliptin)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Eucalyptus

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Saxagliptin

This page covers Eucalyptus only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Saxagliptin page lists 256 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

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

By severity: 2 major · 215 moderate · 39 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Saxagliptin page

“Siberian cocklebur is the one supplement anyone on saxagliptin (Onglyza) for type 2 diabetes should avoid outright. Its seeds have caused severe hypoglycemia in people, dropping blood sugar soon after consumption and often worsening from there.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Saxagliptin interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 216 real supplement products containing Eucalyptus, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Eucalyptus. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Saxagliptin too, on top of Eucalyptus — 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 Eucalyptus and Saxagliptin 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 Eucalyptus
Top half

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

29 days ago today
Medication Saxagliptin
Steady interest

#2,242 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 Eucalyptus

What is Eucalyptus?

Eucalyptus
  • Cough and chest congestion
  • Colds and flu symptoms
  • Stuffy nose
  • Sore throat
  • Minor muscle and joint aches
  • Aromatherapy

Eucalyptus is best known for its strong-smelling oil used in vapor rubs, inhalants, and lozenges to ease coughs and congestion. It may provide mild, short-term relief of cold symptoms, but the oil is toxic if swallowed and must never be taken by mouth undiluted. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially in children, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding.

Read the full Eucalyptus monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Saxagliptin

What Is Saxagliptin Used For?

Brand name: Onglyza

Saxagliptin tablets are used to help adults with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels. It is meant to be used together with diet and exercise, either alone or alongside other diabetes medicines.

Saxagliptin tablets are not for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis (a dangerous complication where the blood becomes too acidic).

See full Saxagliptin drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Eucalyptus

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

0Major
877Moderate
0Minor
1,952No known interaction
877 Moderate 1,952 No interaction
Moderate

877 interactions

Showing 60 of 877 moderate interactions — see all 877 on the Eucalyptus page.

No interaction 1,952 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,952 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Eucalyptus list.

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

Can you take Eucalyptus with Saxagliptin?
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 Eucalyptus and Saxagliptin 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 Saxagliptin and Eucalyptus?

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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.