Drug & supplement interaction

Goji + Chlorpromazine

Chlorpromazine brand names: Thorazine, Thorazine Spansules.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Goji has a moderate interaction with Chlorpromazine. Theoretically, goji berry might inhibit CYP2D6 and reduce metabolism of CYP2D6 substrates.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
Know someone taking this? Share
Interaction report

Goji and Chlorpromazine

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

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES

Why this applies to Chlorpromazine

Chlorpromazine falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES — the group Goji interacts with.

Theoretically, goji berry might inhibit CYP2D6 and reduce metabolism of CYP2D6 substrates.
In vitro research shows that goji berry juice inhibits CYP2D6 enzymes. Concomitant use with goji may decrease metabolism and increase levels of CYP2D6 substrates. However, this 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: your body relies on a liver enzyme called CYP2D6 to help clear chlorpromazine (Thorazine). In lab dish studies, goji berry juice slowed that enzyme down a bit. If that same effect happened in people, chlorpromazine could build up more than expected, which might bump up its usual side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, or feeling lightheaded when you stand up.

The honest part: this has only been seen in test-tube research, never confirmed in real patients, so it's more of a theoretical caution than a proven problem. Eating goji berries as a food is unlikely to matter much. Concentrated goji supplements or juice are where I'd be more careful. Before starting one, just run it by your pharmacist or doctor, and never adjust your chlorpromazine on your own.

References
  1. Liu R, Tam TW, Mao J, et al. In vitro activity of Lycium barbarum (Goji) against major human phase I metabolism enzymes. Complement Integr Med. 2016;13(3):257-265.

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

Goji Also Interacts With Other Medications

Goji has 2 major, 929 moderate, 68 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Chlorpromazine one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Goji

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Goji or Chlorpromazine

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

This page covers Goji only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Chlorpromazine page lists 211 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: 1,4-butanediol (major), Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), Arsenic (major) and Beer (major).

By severity: 17 major · 159 moderate · 35 minor.

Open the Chlorpromazine interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Goji as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 1,738 real supplement products containing Goji, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Goji. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Chlorpromazine too, on top of Goji — 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 Goji and Chlorpromazine 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 Goji
Top 10%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Chlorpromazine
Steady interest

#1,864 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 Goji

What is Goji?

Goji
  • General antioxidant support
  • Eye health
  • Immune support
  • Anti-aging and well-being
  • Blood sugar support

Goji berries are a nutritious fruit rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and plant polysaccharides, and they are safe for most people as a food. While they are popular for eye health, immune support, and general wellness, strong human evidence for most health claims is limited. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using concentrated goji supplements, especially if you take medications or are pregnant.

Read the full Goji monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Chlorpromazine

What Is Chlorpromazine Used For?

Brand names: Thorazine, Thorazine Spansules

Chlorpromazine is used to manage psychotic disorders and treat schizophrenia. It also controls nausea and vomiting, relieves restlessness and apprehension before surgery, and controls the manic phase of manic-depressive illness. Other uses include relief of intractable hiccups, treatment of acute intermittent porphyria, and use as an adjunct in tetanus treatment.

In children ages 1 to 12, it is used for severe behavioral problems marked by explosive or combative behavior, and for short-term treatment of hyperactive children with conduct disorders. The oral forms are also approved for the management of manifestations of psychotic disorders broadly, in addition to the uses shared with the injection form.

See full Chlorpromazine drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Goji

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

2Major
929Moderate
68Minor
1,830No known interaction
Major

2 interactions

Moderate

929 interactions

Showing 60 of 929 moderate interactions — see all 929 on the Goji page.

Minor

68 interactions

Showing 60 of 68 minor interactions — see all 68 on the Goji page.

No interaction 1,830 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 Goji and Chlorpromazine Together: Common Questions

Can you take Goji with Chlorpromazine?
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 Goji and Chlorpromazine 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 Chlorpromazine and Goji?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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.