Drug & supplement interaction

Hu Zhang + Ticagrelor

Ticagrelor brand name: Brilinta.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Ticagrelor 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 CYP3A4.

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

Hu Zhang and Ticagrelor

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. Ticagrelor 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 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

1 of 2

Why this applies to Ticagrelor

Ticagrelor falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES — the group Hu Zhang interacts with.

Theoretically, hu zhang might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Hu zhang contains the constituent resveratrol. In vitro research shows that resveratrol might inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme. However, a clinical study in adults with NAFLD found that adding resveratrol 3000 mg daily for 8 weeks did not necessitate dose adjustments to any established medications metabolized by CYP3A4.
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 short version: your body uses an enzyme called CYP3A4 to break down ticagrelor (Brilinta). Hu Zhang contains resveratrol, which in lab studies might slow that enzyme down a little. If that happened in a real person, ticagrelor could build up slightly, and since this is a blood thinner, the main worry would be a bit more bruising or bleeding, like nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or bleeding that's slow to stop.

The good news is that this is only a theoretical concern based on test-tube data. In one human study, even large resveratrol doses didn't force any medication changes. Still, because ticagrelor is a blood thinner where balance matters, I'd run Hu Zhang past your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

References
  1. Piver B, Berthou F, Dreano Y, Lucas D. Inhibition of CYP3A, CYP1A and CYP2E1 activities by resveratrol and other non volatile red wine components. Toxicol Lett 2001;125:83-91. PubMed
  2. Yu, C., Shin, Y. G., Kosmeder, J. W., Pezzuto, J. M., and van Breemen, R. B. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric determination of inhibition of human cytochrome P450 isozymes by resveratrol and resveratrol-3-sulfate. Rapid Commun.Mass Spectro PubMed
  3. Chachay VS, Macdonald GA, Martin JH, Whitehead JP, O'Moore-Sullivan TM, Lee P, Franklin M, Klein K, Taylor PJ, Ferguson M, Coombes JS, Thomas GP, Cowin GJ, Kirkpatrick CM, Prins JB, Hickman IJ. Resveratrol does not benefit patients with nonalcoholic fatty
Moderate

ANTICOAGULANT/ANTIPLATELET DRUGS

2 of 2

Ticagrelor 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 thing to keep in mind: Ticagrelor (Brilinta) already works by keeping your platelets from clumping together, which is exactly how it protects you after a heart attack, stent, or stroke. Hu Zhang contains resveratrol, which in lab studies seems to have its own mild platelet-slowing effect. Stack the two together and, in theory, you could tip a bit further toward easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or cuts that are slow to stop.

I want to be honest that this is a theoretical concern based on how these compounds behave, not on real cases in people. Still, since bleeding is the main risk with Brilinta anyway, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before adding a concentrated Hu Zhang supplement. Please don't stop your Brilinta on your own.

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 Ticagrelor 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.

From our Q&A

Questions About Hu Zhang or Ticagrelor

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

This page covers Hu Zhang only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Ticagrelor page lists 286 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Danshen (major), Grapefruit (major), Piracetam (major) and St. John's Wort (major).

By severity: 5 major · 241 moderate · 40 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Ticagrelor page

“Grapefruit sits at the top of this list for good reason. Ticagrelor (Brilinta) is cleared by the CYP3A4 enzyme, and grapefruit blocks that enzyme, so drug levels can climb and bleeding becomes more likely.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Ticagrelor 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 Ticagrelor 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 Ticagrelor 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%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Ticagrelor
Steady interest

#1,501 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
Medication

About Ticagrelor

What Is Ticagrelor Used For?

Brand name: Brilinta

Ticagrelor tablets are used to lower the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in adults who have had an acute coronary syndrome (ACS — a sudden reduction of blood flow to the heart) or a previous heart attack. They also reduce the risk of stent thrombosis (a blood clot forming in a coronary stent) in people stented during ACS treatment.

Ticagrelor tablets are also used to reduce the risk of a first heart attack or stroke in people with coronary artery disease (CAD) who are at high risk — including those with type 2 diabetes. Brilinta is additionally indicated to reduce the risk of stroke in adults with a mild acute ischemic stroke or a high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA, sometimes called a "mini-stroke").

See full Ticagrelor drug information
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 Ticagrelor Together: Common Questions

Can you take Hu Zhang with Ticagrelor?
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 Ticagrelor?
Ticagrelor 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 Ticagrelor 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.