Drug & supplement interaction

Fo-ti + Carbidopa, Levodopa

Carbidopa, Levodopa brand names: Sinemet CR, Sinemet, Rytary, Dhivy.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 13, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Fo-ti and Carbidopa, Levodopa in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Fo-ti and Carbidopa, Levodopa

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Carbidopa, Levodopa and Fo-ti in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Fo-ti safety at a glance

Fo-ti overall Use caution It has been linked to cases of liver injury and should be used carefully and under professional guidance.
Pregnancy Possibly Unsafe When used orally. Fo-ti contains anthraquinone constituents, which can exert a stimulant laxative effect. Bulk-forming or emollient laxatives are preferred in p... Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Possibly Unsafe When used orally. Anthraquinone constituents can cross into breast milk and might cause loose stools in some breast-fed infants. Fo-ti has also been linked to s... Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Carbidopa, Levodopa and Fo-ti? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Carbidopa, Levodopa

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Carbidopa, Levodopa is filed under 6 classifications — including levodopa, dopamine agonists, seizure threshold lowering drugs. Fo-ti has documented interactions with 17 drug classes — the most serious being anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs (moderate), antidiabetes drugs (moderate) and contraceptive drugs (moderate) — and none of Carbidopa, Levodopa’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Fo-ti Does Interact With Other Medications

Fo-ti has 1,257 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Carbidopa, Levodopa isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 1,257 No known interaction 1,573 (incl. Carbidopa, Levodopa)
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.

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Fo-ti and Carbidopa, Levodopa May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do. One of them is worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • A low platelet count Worth acting on Additional detail

    Fo-ti

    “Orally, cases of liver damage due to both processed and unprocessed fo-ti have been well documented in the medical literature..

    In a systematic review, around 450 cases of hepatitis associated with fo-ti were identified. These cases occurred in patients 5-78 years of age. Liver damage occurred at a wide range of doses, formulations, and durations of intake.”

    Fo-ti · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cirrhosis.

    6 sources cited
    1. 7626. Park GJ, Mann SP, Ngu MC. Acute hepatitis induced by Shou-Wu-Pian, a herbal product derived from Polygonum multiflorum. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2001;16:115-7.
    2. 7627. But PP, Tomlinson B, Lee KL. Hepatitis related to the Chinese medicine Shou-wu-pian manufactured from Polygonum multiflorum. Vet Hum Toxicol 1996;38:280-2.
    3. 14327. UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. Polygonum multiflorum and liver reactions. April 2006. Available at: www.mhra.gov.uk/home/idcplg?IdcService= SS_GET_PAGE&useSecondary=true&ssDocName= CON2023590&ssTargetNodeId= 833 (Accessed 10 May 2
    4. 14339. Panis B, Wong DR, Hooymans PM, De Smet PA, Rosias PP. Recurrent toxic hepatitis in a Caucasian girl related to the use of Shou-Wu-Pian, a Chinese herbal preparation. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2005;41:256-8. PubMed
    5. 14347. Mazzanti G, Battinelli L, Daniele C, et al. New case of acute hepatitis following the consumption of Shou Wu Pian, a Chinese herbal product derived from Polygonum multiflorum. Ann Intern Med 2004;140:E589-90.
    6. 14482. Cardenas A, Restrepo JC, Sierra F, Correa G. Acute hepatitis due to shen-min: a herbal product derived from Polygonum multiflorum. J Clin Gastroenterol 2006;40:629-32. PubMed

    Carbidopa, Levodopa

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Carbidopa, Levodopa. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Reduced appetite / Tiredness / A skin rash Additional detail

    Fo-ti

    Recorded for Fo-ti in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under A low platelet count above.

    Carbidopa, Levodopa

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Carbidopa, Levodopa. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Stomach pain / Nausea Additional detail

    Fo-ti

    “Orally, fo-ti may be unsafe.

    Most Common Adverse Effects:

    Orally: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting with use of unprocessed fo-ti.

    Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):

    Orally: Hepatotoxicity with processed or unprocessed fo-ti.”

    Fo-ti · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    Carbidopa, Levodopa

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Carbidopa, Levodopa. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Diarrhea / Vomiting Additional detail

    Fo-ti

    “Orally, unprocessed fo-ti may cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting (12,50733).”

    Fo-ti · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    2 sources cited
    1. 12. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
    2. 50733. McGuffin, M., Hobbs, C., Upton, R., and Goldberg, A. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC;1997.

    Carbidopa, Levodopa

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Carbidopa, Levodopa. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Fo-ti but not commonly for Carbidopa, Levodopa: liver problems, yellowing of the skin or eyes and fever.

Effects for Carbidopa, Levodopa come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Fo-ti come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Fo-ti in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Possibly Unsafe

When used orally. Fo-ti contains anthraquinone constituents, which can exert a stimulant laxative effect. Bulk-forming or emollient laxatives are preferred in pregnancy. Fo-ti has also been linked to several cases of liver damage. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of fo-ti when used topically during pregnancy.

Lactation Possibly Unsafe

When used orally. Anthraquinone constituents can cross into breast milk and might cause loose stools in some breast-fed infants. Fo-ti has also been linked to several cases of liver damage. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of fo-ti when used topically during lactation.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Carbidopa, Levodopa

This page covers Fo-ti only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Carbidopa, Levodopa page lists 43 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Branched-chain Amino Acids (bcaa) (major), Cowhage (major), Indian Snakeroot (major) and Magnesium (major).

By severity: 8 major · 24 moderate · 11 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Carbidopa, Levodopa page

“Carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet, Rytary) anchors Parkinson's treatment, and because symptom control hinges on how much levodopa actually reaches the brain, the 43 supplements and herbs on this list deserve real respect before you add any of them. Eight carry a major rating, and almost all of the serious entries weaken the drug rather than…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Carbidopa, Levodopa 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. Even though Fo-ti itself has no known interaction with Carbidopa, Levodopa, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Fo-ti and Carbidopa, Levodopa 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%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Carbidopa, Levodopa
Top 5%

#86 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.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Fo-ti reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Fo-ti and Carbidopa, Levodopa records this page draws on were last updated July 11, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
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.

Reynoutria multiflora · Polygonaceae · Root (often prepared/processed) · Capsules, tablets, dried root, tea, tinctures, powders

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Fo-ti is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Fo-ti record says about it on its own.

Fo-ti: dosing

There is no well-established, standardized dose of Fo-ti, and products vary widely in strength and preparation (raw versus prepared root). Because of this and the liver concerns, it is best not to guess at an amount on your own.If you choose to use it, follow the directions on the product label and do not exceed them.

From our Fo-ti monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Fo-ti monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Levodopa and Carbidopa

What Is Levodopa and Carbidopa Used For?

Brand names: Sinemet CR, Sinemet, Rytary, Dhivy

Levodopa and carbidopa is used to treat Parkinson's disease, post-encephalitic parkinsonism (parkinsonism that develops after a brain infection), and symptomatic parkinsonism that can follow carbon monoxide or manganese poisoning. These indications are shared across the oral tablet, orally disintegrating tablet, extended-release tablet, and extended-release capsule formulations (including Sinemet, Rytary, Crexont, and generic products).

DUOPA — a carbidopa/levodopa suspension given through a tube directly into the small intestine — is specifically indicated for the treatment of motor fluctuations in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. This is a product-specific indication and does not apply to the oral forms.

See full Levodopa and Carbidopa 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
1,257Moderate
0Minor
1,572No known interaction
1,257 Moderate 1,572 No interaction
Moderate

1,257 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,257 moderate interactions — see all 1,257 on the Fo-ti page.

No interaction 1,572 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 1,572 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Fo-ti list.

See the full Fo-ti interactions page
See every supplement checked against Carbidopa, Levodopa, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Fo-ti References

The 28 references that drive our Fo-ti monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies. 3rd ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1993.
  2. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  3. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  4. Covington TR, et al. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. 11th ed. Washington, DC: American Pharmaceutical Association, 1996.
  5. Park GJ, Mann SP, Ngu MC. Acute hepatitis induced by Shou-Wu-Pian, a herbal product derived from Polygonum multiflorum. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2001;16:115-7.
  6. But PP, Tomlinson B, Lee KL. Hepatitis related to the Chinese medicine Shou-wu-pian manufactured from Polygonum multiflorum. Vet Hum Toxicol 1996;38:280-2.
  7. Oerter Klein KO, Janfaza M, Wong JA, Chang RJ. Estrogen bioactivity in Fo-Ti and other herbs used for their estrogen-like effects as determined by a recombinant cell bioassay. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2003;88:4077-9.. PubMed
  8. Unger M, Frank A. Simultaneous determination of the inhibitory potency of herbal extracts on the activity of six major cytochrome P450 enzymes using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and automated online extraction. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2004;1 PubMed
  9. UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. Polygonum multiflorum and liver reactions. April 2006. Available at: www.mhra.gov.uk/home/idcplg?IdcService= SS_GET_PAGE&useSecondary=true&ssDocName= CON2023590&ssTargetNodeId= 833 (Accessed 10 May 2
  10. Panis B, Wong DR, Hooymans PM, De Smet PA, Rosias PP. Recurrent toxic hepatitis in a Caucasian girl related to the use of Shou-Wu-Pian, a Chinese herbal preparation. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2005;41:256-8. PubMed
  11. Mazzanti G, Battinelli L, Daniele C, et al. New case of acute hepatitis following the consumption of Shou Wu Pian, a Chinese herbal product derived from Polygonum multiflorum. Ann Intern Med 2004;140:E589-90.
  12. Cardenas A, Restrepo JC, Sierra F, Correa G. Acute hepatitis due to shen-min: a herbal product derived from Polygonum multiflorum. J Clin Gastroenterol 2006;40:629-32. PubMed
  13. Zhang CZ, Wang SX, Zhang Y, et al. In vitro estrogenic activities of Chinese medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of menopausal symptoms. J Ethnopharmacol 2005;98:295-300. PubMed
  14. Laird AR, Ramchandani N, deGoma EM, et al. Acute hepatitis associated with the use of an herbal supplement (Polygonum multiflorum) mimicking iron-overload syndrome. J Clin Gastroenterol 2008;42:861-2. PubMed
  15. Jung KA, Min HJ, Yoo SS, et al. Drug-Induced Liver Injury: Twenty Five Cases of Acute Hepatitis Following Ingestion of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. Gut Liver 2011;5(4):493-9. PubMed

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Fo-ti and Carbidopa, Levodopa Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Fo-ti with Carbidopa, Levodopa?
We do not list a known interaction between Fo-ti and Carbidopa, Levodopa. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Fo-ti and Carbidopa, Levodopa have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 8 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
How was the Fo-ti and Carbidopa, Levodopa combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Carbidopa, Levodopa is filed under 6 classifications, and Fo-ti has documented interactions with 17 drug classes — none of Carbidopa, Levodopa's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.
Does Fo-ti interact with any other medications?
Yes. Fo-ti has 1,257 documented drug interactions in our database — Carbidopa, Levodopa is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.
Does Carbidopa, Levodopa interact with any supplements?
Yes. Carbidopa, Levodopa has documented interactions with 43 supplements in our database — Fo-ti is not one of them. The Carbidopa, Levodopa interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Where next

Keep Exploring

Fo-ti monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Levodopa and Carbidopa drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Carbidopa, Levodopa supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Carbidopa, Levodopa, 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 References The 28 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Carbidopa, Levodopa 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.