Drug & supplement interaction

Larch Arabinogalactan + Hydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone brand names: Cortef, Hydrocortone, Carmol HC cream, Hydrocortisone Iodoquinol Cream, Vytone Cream, and others.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Larch Arabinogalactan has a moderate interaction with Hydrocortisone. Theoretically, larch arabinogalactan might interfere with immunosuppression therapy due to immunostimulant effects.

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

Larch Arabinogalactan and Hydrocortisone

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

Moderate

IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS

Why this applies to Hydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone falls under IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS — the group Larch Arabinogalactan interacts with.

Theoretically, larch arabinogalactan might interfere with immunosuppression therapy due to immunostimulant effects. Immunosuppressant drugs include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and other drugs.
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 basic idea: hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid that works partly by quieting down an overactive immune system, which is why doctors use it for things like allergic reactions, lupus, and certain inflammatory conditions. Larch arabinogalactan, on the other hand, is being studied as a fiber that may gently stimulate parts of the immune system. So in theory, the two could push in opposite directions, and the supplement might slightly work against what your hydrocortisone is trying to do.

I want to be honest about the strength of this concern. It's theoretical, based on how these things behave on paper, not on real cases of people having trouble. Still, if you're taking hydrocortisone specifically to calm your immune system, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before adding this supplement.

References
  1. D'Adamo P. Larch arabinogalactan. J Naturopath Med 1996;6:33-7.
  2. Kelly GS. Larch arabinogalactan: Clinical relevance of a novel immune-enhancing polysaccharide. Alt Med Rev 1999;4:96-103.
  3. Dion C, Chappuis E, Ripoll C. Does larch arabinogalactan enhance immune function? A review of mechanistic and clinical trials. Nutr Metab (Lond) 2016;13:28. 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

Larch Arabinogalactan Also Interacts With Other Medications

Larch Arabinogalactan has 120 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Hydrocortisone 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 Larch Arabinogalactan

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Larch Arabinogalactan or Hydrocortisone

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

This page covers Larch Arabinogalactan only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Hydrocortisone page lists 205 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Grapefruit (major), Lily-of-the-valley (major), St. John's Wort (major) and Acacia Rigidula (moderate).

By severity: 4 major · 164 moderate · 37 minor.

Open the Hydrocortisone interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 717 real supplement products containing Larch Arabinogalactan, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Larch Arabinogalactan. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Hydrocortisone too, on top of Larch Arabinogalactan — 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 Larch Arabinogalactan and Hydrocortisone 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 Larch Arabinogalactan
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Hydrocortisone
Top 25%

#494 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 Larch Arabinogalactan

What is Larch Arabinogalactan?

  • Immune support
  • Cold and flu prevention
  • Digestive and gut health
  • Source of soluble fiber
  • Prebiotic support

Larch arabinogalactan is a soluble fiber from larch trees that is mainly used as a prebiotic and for immune support. Early research is interesting but limited, and most claims are not yet firmly proven. It is generally well tolerated, but pregnant and breastfeeding people should be cautious and check with a healthcare provider first.

Read the full Larch Arabinogalactan monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Hydrocortisone

What Is Hydrocortisone Used For?

Brand names: Cortef, Hydrocortone, Carmol HC cream, Hydrocortisone Iodoquinol Cream, Vytone Cream, Massengil Medicated Towelettes, Dioderm, Efcortelan Cream, Mildison, Alphaderm, Calmurid HC, Efcortelan Ointment, Texacort, Alkindi Sprinkle

Hydrocortisone is used to calm skin inflammation and relieve itching caused by conditions that respond to corticosteroid treatment. In adults, it treats a broad range of inflammatory skin conditions. In children as young as 3 months old, it is specifically approved for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (eczema).

It is also used in rectal foam form to treat inflammation of the lower bowel, such as ulcerative proctitis.

See full Hydrocortisone drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Larch Arabinogalactan

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

0Major
120Moderate
0Minor
2,709No known interaction
Moderate

120 interactions

Showing 60 of 120 moderate interactions — see all 120 on the Larch Arabinogalactan page.

No interaction 2,709 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

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Larch Arabinogalactan and Hydrocortisone Together: Common Questions

Can you take Larch Arabinogalactan with Hydrocortisone?
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 Larch Arabinogalactan and Hydrocortisone 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 Hydrocortisone and Larch Arabinogalactan?

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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.