Drug & supplement interaction

Evodia + Ticagrelor

Ticagrelor brand name: Brilinta.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Ticagrelor falls into 3 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
Interactions3
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Evodia and Ticagrelor

These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Evodia interacts with whole categories of medication. Ticagrelor falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Evodia in 3 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 3

Why this applies to Ticagrelor

Ticagrelor 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 about this particular pairing: the interaction on file actually runs the other direction from what you might expect. Ticagrelor (Brilinta) is a CYP3A4 inhibitor, meaning it can slow down an enzyme in your liver. Evodia's active compounds are broken down by that same enzyme. So in theory, taking ticagrelor alongside evodia could let those evodia compounds build up higher than usual.

I want to be honest that this is theoretical and comes only from animal and lab studies, not real-world human data. We don't have a clear picture of what higher evodia levels would actually do to a person. Because ticagrelor is an important heart and stroke medicine, I'd just run this by your pharmacist or doctor before adding evodia rather than guessing.

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 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

2 of 3

Ticagrelor 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 with Evodia and Brilinta (ticagrelor). Your body relies on a liver enzyme called CYP3A4 to break ticagrelor down. In lab studies, compounds in evodia appear to slow that enzyme. If that happened in people, ticagrelor could build up a bit higher than usual, and since ticagrelor is an active blood thinner (not a prodrug that needs activating), more of it means a stronger effect.

In plain terms, that could mean a higher chance of bruising, nosebleeds, or other bleeding. I want to be honest though: this is only based on test-tube research and has not been seen in humans, so it's more of a theoretical caution than a proven problem. Given that ticagrelor is a serious heart medication, I'd run any evodia use past your pharmacist or doctor first.

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
Moderate

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS

3 of 3

Ticagrelor also falls under ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS.

Theoretically, taking evodia with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
In vitro and animal studies show that rutaecarpine, a constituent of evodia, inhibits platelet aggregation.
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 situation with Brilinta (ticagrelor) and Evodia. Ticagrelor is already a potent antiplatelet medicine, meaning it keeps your platelets from clumping together so clots don't form after a heart attack, stroke, or stent. The concern is that Evodia may do a little of the same thing. One of its compounds, rutaecarpine, has slowed platelet clumping in lab and animal studies. Stack that on top of ticagrelor and, in theory, you could nudge your bleeding risk up a bit.

I want to be honest about the evidence: this is theoretical, based only on test tube and animal work, not real people. Still, with a blood thinner like this, I'd play it safe. Watch for easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or unusual fatigue, and check with your pharmacist or doctor before adding Evodia.

References
  1. Sheu JR, Kan YC, Hung WC, et al. The antiplatelet activity of rutaecarpine, an alkaloid isolated from Evodia rutaecarpa, is mediated through inhibition of phospholipase C. Thromb Res 1998;92:53-64. PubMed
  2. Sheu JR, Hung WC, Lee YM, Yen MH. Mechanism of inhibition of platelet aggregation by rutaecarpine, an alkaloid isolated from Evodia rutaecarpa. Eur J Pharmacol 1996;318:469-75. PubMed
  3. Sheu JR, Hung WC, Wu CH, et al. Antithrombotic effect of rutaecarpine, an alkaloid isolated from Evodia rutaecarpa, on platelet plug formation in in vivo experiments. Br J Haematol 2000;110:110-5.
  4. Huang CJ, Huang WC, Lin WT, et al. Rutaecarpine, an alkaloid from Evodia rutaecarpa, can prevent platelet activation in humans and reduce microvascular thrombosis in mice: crucial role of the PI3K/Akt/GSK3ß signal axis through a cyclic nucleotides/VASP-in

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 Ticagrelor one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

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.

From our Q&A

Questions About Evodia or Ticagrelor

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

This page covers Evodia only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Ticagrelor page lists 286 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Danshen (major), Grapefruit (major), Piracetam (major) and St. John's Wort (major).

By severity: 5 major · 241 moderate · 40 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Ticagrelor page

“Grapefruit sits at the top of this list for good reason. Ticagrelor (Brilinta) is cleared by the CYP3A4 enzyme, and grapefruit blocks that enzyme, so drug levels can climb and bleeding becomes more likely.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Ticagrelor 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 Ticagrelor 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 Ticagrelor 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

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

29 days ago today
Medication Ticagrelor
Steady interest

#1,446 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
Medication

About Ticagrelor

What Is Ticagrelor Used For?

Brand name: Brilinta

Ticagrelor tablets are used to lower the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack (myocardial infarction), and stroke in adults who have had acute coronary syndrome (ACS) — a group of conditions including unstable angina and heart attack — or who have a history of heart attack. It also reduces the risk of stent thrombosis (a blood clot forming in a coronary stent) in people who have been stented for ACS treatment.

Ticagrelor tablets are also used in people with coronary artery disease (CAD) who are at high risk for a first heart attack or stroke, particularly those with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, Brilinta is approved to reduce the risk of stroke in adults with a mild acute ischemic stroke or a high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA, or "mini-stroke").

See full Ticagrelor drug information
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
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
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
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Evodia and Ticagrelor Together: Common Questions

Can you take Evodia with Ticagrelor?
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 3 interactions listed for Evodia and Ticagrelor?
Ticagrelor 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 Ticagrelor 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.