Drug & supplement interaction

Hu Zhang + Naproxen Sodium

Naproxen Sodium brand name: Midol Extended Relief.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Naproxen Sodium falls into 2 drug categories that Hu Zhang can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, hu zhang might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Hu Zhang and Naproxen Sodium

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Hu Zhang interacts with whole categories of medication. Naproxen Sodium falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Hu Zhang in 2 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES

1 of 2

Why this applies to Naproxen Sodium

Naproxen Sodium falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES — the group Hu Zhang interacts with.

Theoretically, hu zhang might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
Hu zhang contains the constituent resveratrol. In vitro research shows that resveratrol might inhibit the CYP1A2 enzyme. 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 simple version: your body uses an enzyme called CYP1A2 to help clear naproxen. Hu Zhang contains resveratrol, which in test-tube studies appears to slow that enzyme down. If naproxen breaks down more slowly, a little more could linger in your system. With this drug, that usually means a higher chance of its typical side effects, like stomach upset, heartburn, indigestion, or in some cases stomach irritation or higher blood pressure.

I want to be honest about how soft this evidence is. It's only theoretical, based on lab work, and it has never actually been reported in real people. So I wouldn't lose sleep over it, but if you take naproxen regularly and want to add Hu Zhang, run it by your pharmacist or doctor first.

References
  1. Chang, T. K., Chen, J., and Lee, W. B. Differential inhibition and inactivation of human CYP1 enzymes by trans-resveratrol: evidence for mechanism-based inactivation of CYP1A2. J.Pharmacol.Exp.Ther. 2001;299(3):874-882.
Moderate

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS

2 of 2

Naproxen Sodium also falls under ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS.

Theoretically, hu zhang might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Hu zhang contains the constituent resveratrol. Resveratrol seems to have antiplatelet effects.
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: naproxen (the pain reliever in Midol Extended Relief) is an NSAID, and on its own it can already make it a little harder for your blood to clot. That's why some people notice easy bruising, nosebleeds, or stomach irritation when they take it regularly. Hu Zhang contains resveratrol, which lab work suggests may also have a mild blood-thinning, anti-platelet effect.

Stack the two together and, in theory, you could nudge your bleeding risk up a bit. I want to be honest though: this is based on how these compounds behave in the lab, not on strong human studies, so it's more of a caution than a red alert. If you notice unusual bruising, dark stools, or bleeding that won't stop, or you're already on a blood thinner, check with your pharmacist or doctor first.

References
  1. Pace-Asciak CR, Rounova O, Hahn SE, et al. Wines and grape juices as modulators of platelet aggregation in healthy human subjects. Clin Chim Acta 1996;246:163-82. PubMed
  2. Bertelli AA, Giovannini L, Bernini W, et al. Antiplatelet activity of cis-resveratrol. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1996;22:61-3.
  3. Pace-Asciak CR, Hahn S, Diamandis EP, et al. The red wine phenolics trans-resveratrol and quercetin block human platelet aggregation and eicosanoid synthesis: implications for protection against coronary heart disease. Clin Chim Acta 1995;235:207-19.
  4. Bertelli A, Bertelli AA, Gozzini A, Giovannini L. Plasma and tissue resveratrol concentrations and pharmacological activity. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1998;24:133-8.
  5. Bertelli AA, Giovannini L, Giannessi D, et al. Antiplatelet activity of synthetic and natural resveratrol in red wine. Int J Tissue React 1995;17:1-3.
  6. Dobrydneva, Y., Williams, R. L., and Blackmore, P. F. trans-Resveratrol inhibits calcium influx in thrombin-stimulated human platelets. Br.J.Pharmacol. 1999;128(1):149-157.
  7. Kirk, R. I., Deitch, J. A., Wu, J. M., and Lerea, K. M. Resveratrol decreases early signaling events in washed platelets but has little effect on platalet in whole food. Blood Cells Mol.Dis. 2000;26(2):144-150.
  8. Zbikowska, H. M. and Olas, B. Antioxidants with carcinostatic activity (resveratrol, vitamin E and selenium) in modulation of blood platelet adhesion. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2000;51(3):513-520.
  9. Olas, B., Wachowicz, B., Saluk-Juszczak, J., and Zielinski, T. Effect of resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic compound, on platelet activation induced by endotoxin or thrombin. Thromb.Res 8-15-2002;107(3-4):141-145. PubMed
  10. Ma, Z. H. and Ma, Q. Y. Resveratrol: a medical drug for acute pancreatitis. World J Gastroenterol. 6-7-2005;11(21):3171-3174. PubMed
  11. Pendurthi, U. R., Williams, J. T., and Rao, L. V. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound found in wine, inhibits tissue factor expression in vascular cells : A possible mechanism for the cardiovascular benefits associated with moderate consumption of wine. 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

Hu Zhang Also Interacts With Other Medications

Hu Zhang has 825 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Naproxen Sodium one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Hu Zhang

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Naproxen Sodium

This page covers Hu Zhang only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Naproxen Sodium page lists 311 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).

Open the Naproxen Sodium interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 1,014 real supplement products containing Hu Zhang, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Hu Zhang. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Naproxen Sodium too, on top of Hu Zhang — 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 Hu Zhang and Naproxen Sodium 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 Hu Zhang
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Naproxen Sodium
Steady interest

#1,617 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 Hu Zhang

What is Hu Zhang?

  • Source of resveratrol
  • Heart and circulation support
  • Inflammation
  • Liver and digestive complaints (traditional)
  • Cough and respiratory symptoms (traditional)
  • Skin and joint conditions (traditional topical use)

Hu Zhang (Japanese knotweed root) is a traditional Chinese herb that is one of the richest natural sources of resveratrol and emodin. Some lab and early human research looks interesting for inflammation and heart health, but high-quality evidence in people is limited. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using it, and avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Read the full Hu Zhang monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Hu Zhang

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

0Major
825Moderate
0Minor
2,004No known interaction
Moderate

825 interactions

Showing 60 of 825 moderate interactions — see all 825 on the Hu Zhang page.

No interaction 2,004 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 Hu Zhang and Naproxen Sodium Together: Common Questions

Can you take Hu Zhang with Naproxen Sodium?
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.
Why are there 2 interactions listed for Hu Zhang and Naproxen Sodium?
Naproxen Sodium belongs to more than one drug category, and Hu Zhang interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Hu Zhang and Naproxen Sodium 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

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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.