Drug & supplement interaction

European Mandrake + Zanamivir

Zanamivir brand name: Relenza.

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

European Mandrake has a moderate interaction with Zanamivir. Theoretically, concurrent use might increase absorption of some drugs because of inhibited gastrointestinal (GI) motility caused by European mandrake.

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

European Mandrake and Zanamivir

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

Moderate

ORAL DRUGS

Why this applies to Zanamivir

Zanamivir falls under ORAL DRUGS — the group European Mandrake interacts with.

Theoretically, concurrent use might increase absorption of some drugs because of inhibited gastrointestinal (GI) motility caused by European mandrake.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence D

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

First things first: I really wouldn't put European mandrake anywhere near your body. It's a toxic nightshade loaded with atropine-like compounds, and it isn't a safe remedy for anything. With Zanamivir (Relenza), the listed concern is mostly a non-issue in a practical sense. The theory is that mandrake slows down your gut, which could let some swallowed medicines linger and be absorbed a bit more. But Zanamivir isn't really a pill that depends on gut absorption, you inhale it as a powder through a special device, so it mostly acts right in your airways.

So this interaction is theoretical and based on pharmacology, not real-world reports. Either way, please don't use mandrake, and check with your pharmacist or doctor before mixing any supplement with your flu treatment.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 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 Mandrake Also Interacts With Other Medications

European Mandrake has 2,041 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Zanamivir one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 2,041 No known interaction 789 (incl. Zanamivir)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against European Mandrake

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Zanamivir

This page covers European Mandrake only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Zanamivir page lists 17 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Coffee Charcoal (moderate), Glucomannan (moderate), Guar Gum (moderate) and Gum Arabic (moderate).

By severity: 1 major · 7 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Zanamivir page

“Activated charcoal is the single entry I would want anyone on zanamivir (Relenza) to understand first. It holds the one major rating among the 17 supplements known to interact, because charcoal binds many drugs and can lower how much reaches the body, even when a medicine is not swallowed.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Zanamivir interaction page

How much people look this up

Where European Mandrake and Zanamivir 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 Mandrake
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Zanamivir
Steady interest

#2,632 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 Mandrake

What is European Mandrake?

European Mandrake
  • Insomnia (traditional)
  • Pain relief (historical)
  • Anxiety or depression (folk use)
  • Gout and aches (traditional)
  • Sedation or anesthesia (historical)

European mandrake is a highly toxic plant from the nightshade family that was used in ancient and medieval times as a sedative and pain reliever. It contains powerful poisons that can cause serious harm or death, and there is no proof it safely treats any condition. We strongly recommend you do not consume mandrake in any form.

Read the full European Mandrake monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Zanamivir Oral Inhalation

What Is Zanamivir Oral Inhalation Used For?

Brand name: Relenza

Relenza (zanamivir) inhalation powder is used to treat uncomplicated, acute influenza A and B in adults and children aged 7 and older — but only when symptoms have been present for no more than 2 days. The sooner treatment starts, the better.

Relenza is also used to help prevent (prophylax) influenza in adults and children aged 5 and older, including in household settings where someone is sick and in broader community outbreaks. It is not a substitute for your annual flu vaccine, and it has not been shown to prevent influenza in nursing home residents.

See full Zanamivir Oral Inhalation drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & European Mandrake

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

0Major
2,041Moderate
0Minor
788No known interaction
2,041 Moderate 788 No interaction
Moderate

2,041 interactions

Showing 60 of 2,041 moderate interactions — see all 2,041 on the European Mandrake page.

No interaction 788 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 788 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full European Mandrake list.

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

Can you take European Mandrake with Zanamivir?
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 Mandrake and Zanamivir 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 Zanamivir and European Mandrake?

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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.