Fo-ti + Propranolol Hydrochloride
Propranolol Hydrochloride brand name: Hemangeol.
Propranolol Hydrochloride falls into 3 drug categories that Fo-ti can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, fo-ti may increase the levels and clinical effects of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.
Read the full interaction reportFo-ti and Propranolol Hydrochloride
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. Propranolol Hydrochloride 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).
CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES
1 of 3Why this applies to Propranolol Hydrochloride
Propranolol Hydrochloride falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES — the group Fo-ti interacts with.
Animal and in vitro research suggests that fo-ti may inhibit CYP2C19. An in vitro study suggests that the degree of CYP2C19 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.
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 short version: lab and animal studies hint that Fo-ti, especially the raw root, may slow down a liver enzyme called CYP2C19, which helps break down propranolol. If that enzyme works more slowly, propranolol could build up a bit and act more strongly than expected. For a baby taking the oral solution (Hemangeol) for a hemangioma, that might mean signs like a slower heart rate, low blood sugar, sluggishness, or low blood pressure.
The honest part: this has only been seen in test tubes and animals, never confirmed in people, so it's theoretical. Still, since this medicine is given to very young infants, I wouldn't combine them on your own. Please check with your pediatrician or pharmacist 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
CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES
2 of 3Propranolol Hydrochloride also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES.
Animal research suggests that fo-ti might inhibit CYP2D6. Additionally, an in vitro study suggests that the degree of CYP2D6 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.
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 gist for propranolol. Your body relies on a liver enzyme called CYP2D6 to help clear this medicine out. In lab and animal studies, Fo-ti appears to slow that enzyme down, especially the raw, less-processed root. If that same thing happened in a person, propranolol could build up a bit more than expected, which might mean a stronger effect, like a lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, tiredness, or feeling lightheaded.
The important part: this is only theoretical right now, based on test-tube and animal work, and it has not actually been reported in people. Since propranolol oral solution is given to babies for hemangiomas, I'd never want a parent to guess here. Please run any Fo-ti use past your child's pharmacist or doctor first.
- 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
CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES
3 of 3Propranolol Hydrochloride also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES.
In vitro research suggests that fo-ti might inhibit CYP1A2. Additionally, in vitro research suggests that the degree of CYP1A2 inhibition depends on the type of fo-ti extract (i.e., the raw plant leads to greater inhibition than extensively processed extracts). However, in an animal study, an aqueous extract of fo-ti inhibited CYP1A2 while an alcoholic extract of fo-ti induced CYP1A2. Induction or inhibition of CYP1A2 by fo-ti 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.
Here's the quick version for propranolol. Your liver uses an enzyme called CYP1A2 to help break down propranolol, and Fo-ti may interfere with that enzyme. The catch is that this is based only on lab and animal studies, not people, and the results pointed in both directions: raw Fo-ti tended to slow the enzyme (which could let propranolol build up), while an alcohol-based extract sped it up. Propranolol is the active drug itself, not a prodrug that needs activating.
If levels rise, you might see more of propranolol's usual effects, like a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, tiredness, or lightheadedness. Since this is mostly theoretical, don't panic, but do run it by your pharmacist or doctor before pairing the two, especially in an infant.
- 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
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 Propranolol Hydrochloride 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 Propranolol Hydrochloride
This page covers Fo-ti only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Propranolol Hydrochloride page lists 236 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.
The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), American Mistletoe (major), Indian Snakeroot (major) and Tyramine (major).
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 Propranolol Hydrochloride 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 Propranolol Hydrochloride 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.
#208 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#1,236 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.
About Propranolol (Infantile Hemangioma)
What Is Propranolol (Infantile Hemangioma) Used For?
Brand name: Hemangeol
This intravenous (IV) form of propranolol is used in hospital settings to treat serious, life-threatening heart rhythm problems. It works on several types of abnormal rhythms, including those that happen during anesthesia or are caused by drug toxicity.
Specific uses include fast heart rhythms coming from the upper chambers of the heart (supraventricular tachycardia), dangerous rhythms caused by too much digitalis in the body, and certain fast rhythms triggered by excess stress hormones (catecholamines) during surgery.
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 ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine ›
- Roxithromycin ›
- Levetiracetam ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Pegunigalsidase Alfa-iwxj ›
- Levothyroxine Sodium ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Phentermine, Topiramate ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Hexobarbitone ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Factor 7a ›
- Levodopa ›
- Hethylphenidate Hcl ›
- Minoxidil ›
- Cefaclor ›
- Azelaic Acid ›
- Phenylephrine ›
- Hydroxychloroquine ›
- Pizotifen ›
- Vancomycin ›
- Bentoquatam ›
- Triptorelin ›
- Dirithromycin ›
- Ribavirin Aerosol ›
- Alglucosidase Alpha ›
- Salbutamol Sulfate ›
- Pentobarbitone ›
- Telmisartan ›
- Dextrothyroxine ›
- Rocuronium ›
- Tocainide ›
- Procainamide ›
- Flutemetamol F-18 ›
- Mitomycin C ›
- Chenodiol ›
- Digitoxin ›
- Caspofungin ›
- Droxidopa ›
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
Propranolol Hydrochloride Is Linked to Lower Levels of One Nutrient
Natural Medicines records Propranolol Hydrochloride 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 Propranolol Hydrochloride 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 Propranolol Hydrochloride Together: Common Questions
Can you take Fo-ti with Propranolol Hydrochloride?
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Fo-ti and Propranolol Hydrochloride?
How serious is the Fo-ti and Propranolol Hydrochloride interaction?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Still Have a Question About Propranolol Hydrochloride 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.