Drug & supplement interaction

Fo-ti + Bupropion, Naltrexone

Bupropion, Naltrexone brand name: Contrave.

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

Fo-ti has a moderate interaction with Bupropion, Naltrexone. Theoretically, fo-ti might increase the levels and clinical effects of drugs metabolized by CYP2B6.

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

Fo-ti and Bupropion, Naltrexone

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

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) SUBSTRATES

Why this applies to Bupropion, Naltrexone

Bupropion, Naltrexone falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) SUBSTRATES — the group Fo-ti interacts with.

Theoretically, fo-ti might increase the levels and clinical effects of drugs metabolized by CYP2B6.
Animal research suggests that fo-ti might inhibit CYP2B6. One in vitro study suggests that the degree of CYP2B6 inhibition may depend on the type of fo-ti extract (i.e., the raw plant leads to greater inhibition than extensively processed extracts). However, this interaction 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 situation with Contrave (bupropion and naltrexone). The bupropion half is cleared by a liver enzyme called CYP2B6. In lab and animal studies, Fo-ti looks like it can slow that enzyme down, especially the raw, less-processed root. If that happens in people, bupropion could build up a bit more than expected.

What might you notice? Bupropion's typical side effects could feel stronger, things like trouble sleeping, a dry mouth, headache, jitteriness or a faster heartbeat. At higher levels, bupropion also carries a small seizure risk, so that's worth respecting. Keep in mind this interaction is only theoretical right now and has not been reported in humans. Still, since Fo-ti has also been linked to liver injury, please run it by your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Zhang Y, Ding T, Diao T, Deng M, Chen S. Effects of Polygonum multiflorum on the activity of cytochrome P450 isoforms in rats. Pharmazie 2015;70(1):47-54. DOI
  2. Xing Y, Yu Q, Zhou L, et al. Cytochrome P450-mediated herb-drug interaction (HDI) of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. based on pharmacokinetic studies and in vitro inhibition assays. Phytomedicine 2023;112:154710. 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

Fo-ti Also Interacts With Other Medications

Fo-ti has 1,256 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Bupropion, Naltrexone one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 1,256 No known interaction 1,574 (incl. Bupropion, Naltrexone)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Fo-ti

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Bupropion, Naltrexone

This page covers Fo-ti only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Bupropion, Naltrexone page lists 47 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Adrafinil (moderate), African Wild Potato (moderate), Artichoke (moderate) and Astaxanthin (moderate).

By severity: 1 major · 34 moderate · 12 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Bupropion, Naltrexone page

“Anyone taking Contrave (bupropion with naltrexone) for weight management should treat this list with genuine care, starting with the single major-rated entry, activated charcoal, which can soak up the medication in the gut and sharply blunt its effect. Beyond that, two themes dominate.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Bupropion, Naltrexone interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Fo-ti as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 976 real supplement products containing Fo-ti, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Fo-ti. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Bupropion, Naltrexone too, on top of Fo-ti — 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 Fo-ti and Bupropion, Naltrexone 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 Fo-ti
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Bupropion, Naltrexone
Steady interest

#1,434 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 Fo-ti

What is Fo-ti?

  • Anti-aging and longevity
  • Hair graying and hair loss
  • General tonic for vitality
  • Constipation
  • High cholesterol

Fo-ti (He Shou Wu) is a root used in traditional Chinese medicine, often promoted for healthy aging and hair. High-quality human evidence for these benefits is limited, and processed Fo-ti has been linked to reports of liver injury, so caution and professional guidance are important.

Read the full Fo-ti monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Naltrexone and Bupropion

What Is Naltrexone and Bupropion Used For?

Brand name: Contrave

Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion extended-release tablets) is approved to help adults with obesity, or adults who are overweight and have at least one weight-related health condition, lose excess weight and keep it off long term. It is always used together with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity — not as a stand-alone treatment.

Contrave is not approved to treat depression, anxiety, or any other psychiatric condition, and it is not approved for use in anyone under 18 years of age.

See full Naltrexone and Bupropion drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Fo-ti

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

0Major
1,256Moderate
0Minor
1,573No known interaction
1,256 Moderate 1,573 No interaction
Moderate

1,256 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,256 moderate interactions — see all 1,256 on the Fo-ti page.

No interaction 1,573 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,573 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Fo-ti list.

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

Can you take Fo-ti with Bupropion, Naltrexone?
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 Fo-ti and Bupropion, Naltrexone 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 Bupropion, Naltrexone and Fo-ti?

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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.