Drug & supplement interaction

European Buckthorn + Spironolactone

Spironolactone brand names: Aldactone, Spiroton, Carospir.

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

European Buckthorn has a moderate interaction with Spironolactone. European buckthorn has stimulant laxative effects.

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

European Buckthorn and Spironolactone

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

Moderate

DIURETIC DRUGS

Why this applies to Spironolactone

Spironolactone falls under DIURETIC DRUGS — the group European Buckthorn interacts with.

European buckthorn has stimulant laxative effects. Theoretically, overuse of European buckthorn might compound diuretic-induced potassium loss. There is some concern that taking European buckthorn along with potassium-depleting diuretics might increase the risk for hypokalemia.
Some diuretics that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide), and others.
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 a twist worth knowing about. The warning on file is built around diuretics that lower your potassium, like furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide. But spironolactone is different. It's a potassium-sparing diuretic, meaning it actually helps your body hold onto potassium rather than dump it. So the usual concern (low potassium from a stimulant laxative like buckthorn stacking on top of a water pill) doesn't really line up the same way here.

That said, this is still worth a quick chat with your pharmacist. European buckthorn is a harsh laxative that causes cramping and fluid loss, and heavy fluid and electrolyte shifts are never ideal while on any blood pressure or heart medication. This interaction is theoretical, based on how the drugs work rather than real cases, so don't panic, but safer constipation options usually make more sense anyway.

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.

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

European Buckthorn Also Interacts With Other Medications

European Buckthorn has 1 major, 97 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Spironolactone one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 1 Moderate 97 No known interaction 2,732 (incl. Spironolactone)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against European Buckthorn

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

From our Q&A

Questions About European Buckthorn or Spironolactone

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

This page covers European Buckthorn only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Spironolactone page lists 206 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), American Mistletoe (major), Lithium (major) and Oleander (major).

By severity: 7 major · 174 moderate · 25 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Spironolactone page

“Potassium is the supplement I check first for anyone on spironolactone (Aldactone, Carospir), because this water pill works by holding potassium in the body, and supplementing more on top of that can push blood levels too high. It is one of 206 supplement and herbal ingredients with documented interactions here, and the list warrants g…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Spironolactone interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 20 real supplement products containing European Buckthorn, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides European Buckthorn. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Spironolactone too, on top of European Buckthorn — 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 European Buckthorn and Spironolactone 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 European Buckthorn
Steady interest

#1,326 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Spironolactone
Top 5%

#125 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 European Buckthorn

What is European Buckthorn?

  • Constipation
  • Occasional laxative use
  • Digestive complaints
  • Traditional 'detox' remedies

European Buckthorn is a shrub whose bark and berries contain compounds that act as a strong, irritant-type laxative. Because it can cause cramping, fluid and electrolyte loss, and the berries can be toxic if eaten raw, it is rarely recommended today and safer constipation options are usually preferred. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

Read the full European Buckthorn monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Spironolactone

What Is Spironolactone Used For?

Brand names: Aldactone, Spiroton, Carospir

Spironolactone tablets and spironolactone oral suspension are used to treat several conditions. Both forms treat NYHA Class III–IV heart failure with reduced ejection fraction — helping patients survive longer, reducing fluid buildup, and lowering the need for hospitalization. Both are also used as add-on therapy for high blood pressure when other medicines aren't enough, and to manage fluid buildup (edema) in adults with liver cirrhosis.

Spironolactone tablets (including Aldactone) are additionally approved to manage edema in nephrotic syndrome (a kidney disorder causing protein loss and swelling) and to treat primary hyperaldosteronism — a condition where the adrenal glands overproduce the hormone aldosterone — both before surgery and as long-term therapy for patients who can't or won't have surgery. The oral suspension is not approved for nephrotic syndrome or primary hyperaldosteronism.

See full Spironolactone drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & European Buckthorn

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

1Major
97Moderate
0Minor
2,731No known interaction
1 Major 97 Moderate 2,731 No interaction
Major

1 interaction

Moderate

97 interactions

Showing 60 of 97 moderate interactions — see all 97 on the European Buckthorn page.

No interaction 2,731 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,731 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full European Buckthorn list.

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

Can you take European Buckthorn with Spironolactone?
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 European Buckthorn and Spironolactone 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 Spironolactone and European Buckthorn?

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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.