Drug & supplement interaction

Indian Snakeroot + Chlorpropamide

Chlorpropamide brand names: Diabinese, Chlorpropam.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Chlorpropamide falls into 2 drug categories that Indian Snakeroot can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, Indian snakeroot might inhibit CYP2D6 enzymes and reduce the metabolism of CYP2D6 substrates.

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

Indian Snakeroot and Chlorpropamide

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

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Indian Snakeroot interacts with whole categories of medication. Chlorpropamide falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Indian Snakeroot 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 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES

1 of 2

Why this applies to Chlorpropamide

Chlorpropamide falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES — the group Indian Snakeroot interacts with.

Theoretically, Indian snakeroot might inhibit CYP2D6 enzymes and reduce the metabolism of CYP2D6 substrates.
Indian snakeroot contains small amounts of the drug yohimbine. In vitro research shows that yohimbine inhibits CYP2D6 enzyme activity.
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 honest picture on combining Indian snakeroot with chlorpropamide (Diabinese). The concern on file is that snakeroot contains a little yohimbine, which in lab tests slowed down the CYP2D6 enzyme. If that enzyme helps clear chlorpropamide, the drug could linger a bit longer and push your effect stronger. For a sulfonylurea, that mostly means a higher risk of low blood sugar (shakiness, sweating, confusion, dizziness). Chlorpropamide isn't a prodrug, so more drug sticking around means more effect, not less.

That said, this is theoretical, based only on test-tube data, so I wouldn't panic. Indian snakeroot also lowers blood pressure on its own and isn't a safe home remedy. Please check with your pharmacist or doctor before mixing them.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. VandenBrink, B. M., Foti, R. S., Rock, D. A., Wienkers, L. C., and Wahlstrom, J. L. Prediction of CYP2D6 drug interactions from in vitro data: evidence for substrate-dependent inhibition. Drug Metab Dispos. 2012;40(1):47-53. PubMed
Moderate

ANTIDIABETES DRUGS

2 of 2

Chlorpropamide also falls under ANTIDIABETES DRUGS.

Theoretically, concomitant use of Indian snakeroot with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Animal research shows that Indian snakeroot lowers blood glucose levels. This effect 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: Chlorpropamide (Diabinese) already lowers your blood sugar by nudging your pancreas to release more insulin. Indian snakeroot, in animal studies, also seemed to bring blood sugar down. So the worry is that stacking the two could push your sugar too low (hypoglycemia). Signs to know include shakiness, sweating, a racing heart, confusion, or feeling lightheaded. Chlorpropamide is long-acting, so a low can linger.

I want to be honest about the strength here: this is theoretical, based only on animal research, and the blood-sugar effect hasn't actually been seen in people. Still, since snakeroot is a potent plant with real risks, please loop in your doctor or pharmacist before combining them.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Azmi MB, Qureshi SA. Methanolic Root Extract of Rauwolfia serpentina Benth Improves the Glycemic, Antiatherogenic, and Cardioprotective Indices in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice. Adv Pharmacol Sci. 2012;2012:376429.
  2. Azmi MB, Qureshi SA. Rauwolfia serpentina improves altered glucose and lipid homeostasis in fructose-induced type 2 diabetic mice. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2016 Sep;29(5):1619-1624.

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

Indian Snakeroot Also Interacts With Other Medications

Indian Snakeroot has 83 major, 759 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Chlorpropamide one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 83 Moderate 759 No known interaction 1,988 (incl. Chlorpropamide)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Indian Snakeroot

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Chlorpropamide

This page covers Indian Snakeroot only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Chlorpropamide page lists 328 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Beer (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Wine (major) and 1,3-dmaa (moderate).

By severity: 4 major · 282 moderate · 42 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Chlorpropamide page

“Someone taking chlorpropamide (Diabinese) for type 2 diabetes is often the same person browsing blood sugar supplements, and that overlap is the problem, so approach this list with genuine care. Most of the 328 ingredients on file, 282 rated moderate, lower glucose on their own; stacked on a pill built to do the same, they can drive bl…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Chlorpropamide interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 70 real supplement products containing Indian Snakeroot, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Indian Snakeroot. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Chlorpropamide too, on top of Indian Snakeroot — 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 Indian Snakeroot and Chlorpropamide 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 Indian Snakeroot
Top half

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

29 days ago today
Medication Chlorpropamide
Top half

#804 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 Indian Snakeroot

What is Indian Snakeroot?

Indian Snakeroot
  • High blood pressure
  • Anxiety and stress
  • Insomnia
  • Agitation
  • Fever (traditional use)

Indian snakeroot is a traditional Ayurvedic plant that contains reserpine, a compound with real blood-pressure-lowering and sedative effects. Because its potent alkaloids can cause serious side effects like depression and very low blood pressure, it should never be used without medical supervision. It is not a safe or simple home remedy, and many countries restrict its use.

Read the full Indian Snakeroot monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Indian Snakeroot

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

83Major
759Moderate
0Minor
1,987No known interaction
83 Major 759 Moderate 1,987 No interaction
Major

83 interactions

Showing 60 of 83 major interactions — see all 83 on the Indian Snakeroot page.

Moderate

759 interactions

Showing 60 of 759 moderate interactions — see all 759 on the Indian Snakeroot page.

No interaction 1,987 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Indian Snakeroot against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,987 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Indian Snakeroot list.

See the full Indian Snakeroot interactions page
See every supplement checked against Chlorpropamide, ranked by severity
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
Indian Snakeroot monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Chlorpropamide supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Chlorpropamide, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Indian Snakeroot and Chlorpropamide Together: Common Questions

Can you take Indian Snakeroot with Chlorpropamide?
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 Indian Snakeroot and Chlorpropamide?
Chlorpropamide belongs to more than one drug category, and Indian Snakeroot 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 Indian Snakeroot and Chlorpropamide 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 Chlorpropamide and Indian Snakeroot?

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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.