Drug & supplement interaction

Evodia + Erythromycin Lactobionate

Erythromycin Lactobionate brand name: Erythromycin Lactobionate.

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

Erythromycin Lactobionate falls into 4 drug categories that Evodia can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, CYP3A4 inhibitors might increase the levels and clinical effects of evodia.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions4
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Evodia and Erythromycin Lactobionate

These two interact in 4 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 4 Interactions?

Evodia interacts with whole categories of medication. Erythromycin Lactobionate falls into 4 of those categories, so it can interact with Evodia in 4 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) INHIBITORS

1 of 4

Why this applies to Erythromycin Lactobionate

Erythromycin Lactobionate falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) INHIBITORS — the group Evodia interacts with.

Theoretically, CYP3A4 inhibitors might increase the levels and clinical effects of evodia.
Animal research shows that concomitant administration of ketoconazole, a known CYP3A4 inhibitor, with the alkaloid constituents of evodia significantly increases the area under the curve (AUC), maximum concentration (Cmax), and half-life of these constituents.
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 thing to know about pairing Evodia with erythromycin: in this case, the drug is what slows down the supplement, not the other way around. Erythromycin blocks an enzyme in your liver called CYP3A4, and Evodia's active compounds (like evodiamine and rutaecarpine) rely on that same enzyme to be cleared. So Evodia could build up in your body and hit you harder than expected.

This is based only on animal and lab studies, so it's more of a theoretical caution than a proven problem. Still, since Evodia itself isn't well studied in people, I'd keep things simple and check with your pharmacist or doctor before combining the two, especially while you're on a course of erythromycin.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Zhang W, Guo J, Wang D, et al. Effect of CYP3A inducer/inhibitor on pharmacokinetics of five alkaloids in Evodiae Fructus. Chem Biol Interact 2020;327:109146. PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) INHIBITORS

2 of 4

Erythromycin Lactobionate also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) INHIBITORS.

Theoretically, drugs that inhibit CYP1A2 might increase the levels and clinical effects of evodia.
The evodia constituent rutaecarpine is metabolized by CYP1A2.
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 the direction is a little different from what people usually expect. In this case, it's the erythromycin that affects the evodia, not the other way around. Erythromycin can block a liver enzyme called CYP1A2, which is one of the pathways your body uses to break down rutaecarpine, one of evodia's active compounds. If that pathway slows down, evodia's compounds may build up a bit and have stronger effects than expected.

I want to be honest that this is purely theoretical, based only on lab and animal studies, so the real-world risk in people is unknown. Erythromycin's own typical effects (nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea) aren't changed by this. Still, if you're taking both, just check in with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Lee SK, Kim NH, Lee J, et al. Induction of cytochrome P450s by rutaecarpine and metabolism of rutaecarpine by cytochrome P450s. Planta Med 2004;70:753-7. PubMed
Moderate

QT INTERVAL-PROLONGING DRUGS

3 of 4

Erythromycin Lactobionate also falls under QT INTERVAL-PROLONGING DRUGS.

Theoretically, evodia might have an additive effect with drugs that prolong the QT interval, potentially increasing the risk of ventricular arrhythmias.
Evodia has demonstrated dose-dependent activity as a proarrhythmic agent in animal and in vitro studies. Evodia infusion in animals extends the action duration potential and induces prolongation of the QT interval and Torsade de pointes.
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 concern with pairing Evodia and erythromycin: both can affect your heart's electrical timing, something doctors call the QT interval. Erythromycin is already known to stretch out that interval on its own, and in lab and animal studies Evodia did the same thing. Stack them together and the effects may add up, which in rare cases can trigger a dangerous fast heart rhythm (one type is called Torsade de pointes).

I want to be honest about the evidence here: this is theoretical and comes only from test tube and animal work, not from people. Still, since erythromycin already carries a real QT risk, I'd play it safe. Please check with your pharmacist or doctor before combining the two, especially if you have any heart history.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Baburin I, Varkvisser R, Schramm A, et al. Dehydroevodiamine and hortiamine, alkaloids from the traditional Chinese herbal drug Evodia rutaecarpa, are IKr blockers with proarrhythmic effects in vitro and in vivo. Pharmacol Res. 2018 May;131:150-163. DOI
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

4 of 4

Erythromycin Lactobionate also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, evodia might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
In vitro research shows that evodia extract inhibits hepatic CYP3A4. This effect has not been reported in humans.
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: your body uses a liver enzyme called CYP3A4 to help clear erythromycin from your system. In lab studies (test tubes only, not real people), evodia seemed to slow that enzyme down. If that held true in humans, your erythromycin could linger longer and build up a bit higher than expected.

What might that look like? Possibly more of erythromycin's usual side effects, like stomach cramps, nausea, or diarrhea, and in rare cases changes to your heart rhythm. I want to stress this is theoretical and hasn't been shown in people, so I'm not raising alarms. Still, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before combining the two so they can keep an eye on you.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Iwata H, Tezuka Y, Kadota S, et al. Mechanism-based inactivation of human liver microsomal CYP3A4 by rutaecarpine and limonin from Evodia fruit extract. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2005;20:34-45. 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

Evodia Also Interacts With Other Medications

Evodia has 949 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Erythromycin Lactobionate one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 949 No known interaction 1,881 (incl. Erythromycin Lactobionate)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Evodia

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Erythromycin Lactobionate

This page covers Evodia only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Erythromycin Lactobionate page lists 187 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: American Hellebore (major), Arsenic (major), Beer (major), Cesium (major) and Ephedra (major).

By severity: 10 major · 146 moderate · 31 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Erythromycin Lactobionate page

“Erythromycin lactobionate, the injectable form of the antibiotic erythromycin, deserves genuine care around supplements. Ten of its 187 flagged ingredients rate major, and those ten come first.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Erythromycin Lactobionate interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 182 real supplement products containing Evodia, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Evodia. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Erythromycin Lactobionate too, on top of Evodia — 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 Evodia and Erythromycin Lactobionate 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 Evodia
Top half

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

29 days ago today
Medication Erythromycin Lactobionate
Steady interest

#2,492 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 Evodia

What is Evodia?

  • Digestive upset and nausea
  • Headaches
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea

Evodia is a fruit used in traditional Chinese medicine, most often for digestive complaints, headaches, and menstrual pain. Human evidence for these uses is very limited, and it is mostly studied in laboratory and animal research. Talk with a pharmacist or doctor before using it, and avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Read the full Evodia monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Evodia

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

0Major
949Moderate
0Minor
1,880No known interaction
949 Moderate 1,880 No interaction
Moderate

949 interactions

Showing 60 of 949 moderate interactions — see all 949 on the Evodia page.

No interaction 1,880 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,880 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Evodia list.

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

Can you take Evodia with Erythromycin Lactobionate?
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.
Why are there 4 interactions listed for Evodia and Erythromycin Lactobionate?
Erythromycin Lactobionate belongs to more than one drug category, and Evodia interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Evodia and Erythromycin Lactobionate 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

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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.