Fo-ti + Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol
Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol brand names: Arthrotec 50, Arthrotec 75.
Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol falls into 3 drug categories that Fo-ti can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, fo-ti might increase the risk of liver damage when taken with hepatotoxic drugs.
Read the full interaction reportFo-ti and Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol
These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 3 Interactions?
Fo-ti interacts with whole categories of medication. Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Fo-ti in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).
HEPATOTOXIC DRUGS
1 of 3Why this applies to Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol
Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol falls under HEPATOTOXIC DRUGS — the group Fo-ti interacts with.
Fo-ti has been linked to liver damage in many reports.
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.
Here's the concern with Arthrotec, which pairs diclofenac (an anti-inflammatory) with misoprostol (added to protect your stomach). The diclofenac part is processed by your liver, and on its own it can occasionally raise liver enzymes or, rarely, cause liver injury. Fo-ti has also been tied to liver problems in a number of case reports. Stacking two things that can stress the liver may add up.
To be clear, this is a theoretical, anecdotal worry, not something proven to happen often. Still, watch for warning signs like yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, belly pain on the upper right side, or unusual tiredness. Before combining these, please check with your pharmacist or doctor first.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Yuen, M. F., Tam, S., Fung, J., Wong, D. K., Wong, B. C., and Lai, C. L. Traditional Chinese medicine causing hepatotoxicity in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection: a 1-year prospective study. Aliment.Pharmacol.Ther 10-15-2006;24(8):1179-1186. PubMed
- Bae, S. H., Kim, D. H., Bae, Y. S., Lee, K. J., Kim, D. W., Yoon, J. B., Hong, J. H., and Kim, S. H. [Toxic hepatitis associated with Polygoni multiflori]. Korean J.Hepatol. 2010;16(2):182-186. PubMed
- Furukawa, M., Kasajima, S., Nakamura, Y., Shouzushima, M., Nagatani, N., Takinishi, A., Taguchi, A., Fujita, M., Niimi, A., Misaka, R., and Nagahara, H. Toxic hepatitis induced by show-wu-pian, a Chinese herbal preparation. Intern.Med. 2010;49(15):1537-1 PubMed
- Dong H, Slain D, Cheng J, Ma W, Liang W. Eighteen cases of liver injury following ingestion of Polygonum multiflorum. Complement Ther Med 2014;22(1):70-4. PubMed
- Lei X, Chen J, Ren J, et al. Liver damage associated with Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.: a systematic review of case reports and case series. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2015;2015:459749.
CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES
2 of 3Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES.
Animal and in vitro research suggests that fo-ti may inhibit CYP2C9. However, this interaction has not been reported in humans.
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.
Arthrotec pairs an anti-inflammatory pain reliever (diclofenac) with misoprostol, which is added to protect your stomach. The diclofenac part is cleared by a liver enzyme called CYP2C9. Lab and animal studies hint that Fo-ti might slow that enzyme down, which could let diclofenac build up a bit higher than usual. In plain terms, that might mean more of the typical diclofenac side effects, like stomach upset, heartburn, a higher chance of bleeding or ulcers, fluid retention, or kidney strain.
I want to be honest about how soft this evidence is. It comes only from test tubes and animals, and it has never actually been seen in people. So I wouldn't lose sleep over it, but since Fo-ti itself has been tied to liver problems, please run this combo past your pharmacist or doctor first.
- 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
- 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
- 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
ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS
3 of 3Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol also falls under ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS.
Some of these drugs include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), dipyridamole (Persantine), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
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.
Arthrotec combines diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory pain reliever, with misoprostol to protect the stomach. The concern here isn't a classic enzyme interaction. Instead, Fo-ti has been tied to rare cases of liver injury, and your liver makes the clotting factors your body needs. If Fo-ti harms the liver, clotting can slow down. On top of that, diclofenac already thins the blood a little and can irritate the stomach lining, so pairing it with Fo-ti could nudge up the risk of bruising or bleeding, including stomach bleeding (think black stools or unusual stomach pain).
To be honest, this is based on weak, anecdotal evidence (mostly a warfarin case), not strong studies. Still, I'd keep your pharmacist or doctor in the loop before combining them, and watch for any signs of bleeding.
- 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
What These Ratings Mean
Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.
Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.
Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.
Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.
- 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.
- 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.
Fo-ti Also Interacts With Other Medications
Fo-ti has 1,256 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.
Check Another of Your Medications Against Fo-ti
We haven’t checked that one against Fo-ti yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Fo-ti. Pick one to open its full report.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol
This page covers Fo-ti only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol page lists 306 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.
The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Asarabacca (major), Beer (major), Danshen (major) and Piracetam (major).
By severity: 7 major · 265 moderate · 34 minor.
From our pharmacist’s overview on the Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol page
“Alcohol is the plainest hazard on this list. Beer and wine both carry major ratings with Arthrotec (diclofenac sodium and misoprostol) because mixing an NSAID with alcohol raises the risk of stomach bleeding, and bleeding is the thread running through most of these 306 entries.”
Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026
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 Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol 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:
Where Fo-ti and Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol 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.
#189 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#320 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days
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.
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.
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.
No drugs match “”.
1,256 interactions
- Diclofenac Sodium ›
- Diltiazem ›
- Theophylline ›
- Nifedipine ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Aspirin ›
- Hydrocortisone ›
- Insulin (rdna) ›
- Naproxen ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Erythromycin ›
- Estradiol ›
- Minocycline ›
- Propranolol ›
- Tetracycline ›
- Lidocaine ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Hydrochlorothiazide ›
- Norethindrone ›
- Testosterone ›
- Verapamil ›
- Fenofibrate ›
- Levonorgestrel ›
- Prednisone ›
- Quinidine ›
- Cyclosporine ›
- Dexamethasone ›
- Glyburide ›
- Insulin (pork) ›
- Methyltestosterone ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Bupropion ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Colchicine ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Flurbiprofen ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Orphenadrine ›
- Oxybutynin ›
- Oxycodone ›
- Phenytoin ›
- Prednisolone ›
- Tacrolimus ›
- Temazepam ›
- Allopurinol ›
- Budesonide ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Clindamycin ›
- Dextromethorphan ›
- Diclofenac Potassium ›
- Dipyridamole ›
- Doxorubicin ›
- Fluticasone ›
- Formoterol ›
- Indomethacin ›
- Insulin (human) ›
- Miconazole ›
- Morphine Sulfate ›
- Trimipramine ›
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.
- Levothyroxine ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Escitalopram ›
- Docusate ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Levetiracetam ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine ›
- Roxithromycin ›
- Levodopa ›
- Phentermine, Topiramate ›
- Levothyroxine Sodium ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Atenolol ›
- Minoxidil ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Cefaclor ›
- Amobarbital, Ephedrine Sulfate ›
- Hydroxychloroquine ›
- Alginic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide ›
- Pegunigalsidase Alfa-iwxj ›
- Factor 7a ›
- Hexobarbitone ›
- Bentoquatam ›
- Pizotifen ›
- Flutemetamol F-18 ›
- Telmisartan ›
- Succinylcholine ›
- Triptorelin ›
- Vancomycin ›
- Alglucosidase Alpha ›
- Famotidine ›
- Azelaic Acid ›
- Hethylphenidate Hcl ›
- Salbutamol Sulfate ›
- Rituximab ›
- Olmesartan Medoxomil ›
- Tocainide ›
- Articaine, Epinephrine ›
- Phenylephrine ›
- Bleomycin ›
- Metronidazole ›
- Cyproheptadine ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,573 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Fo-ti list.
Sources & How We Checked
Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for vitamins, herbs and supplements — the basis for our interaction data.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for the medication overviews.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — Official supplement product labels.
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
Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol Is Linked to Lower Levels of One Nutrient
Natural Medicines records Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Fo-ti — it is a separate effect of the medicine, and it is a reason some people are advised to supplement rather than to avoid one:
Read the full Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol nutrient depletion report ›
Depletion records come from the licensed Natural Medicines database. Do not start a supplement on the strength of this page — ask your pharmacist or doctor whether it applies to you.
Taking Fo-ti and Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol Together: Common Questions
Can you take Fo-ti with Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol?
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Fo-ti and Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol?
How serious is the Fo-ti and Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol interaction?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Still Have a Question About Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol and Fo-ti?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
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.