Drug & supplement interaction

Methoxylated Flavones + Ensartinib

Ensartinib brand name: Ensacove.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Ensartinib falls into 2 drug categories that Methoxylated Flavones can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. In vitro evidence shows that some methoxylated flavones including tangeretin, nobiletin, and heptamethoxyflavone, inhibit P-glycoprotein.

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

Methoxylated Flavones and Ensartinib

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

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

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

Moderate

P-GLYCOPROTEIN SUBSTRATES

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Why this applies to Ensartinib

Ensartinib falls under P-GLYCOPROTEIN SUBSTRATES — the group Methoxylated Flavones interacts with.

In vitro evidence shows that some methoxylated flavones including tangeretin, nobiletin, and heptamethoxyflavone, inhibit P-glycoprotein. Theoretically, these methoxylated flavones might increase absorption and blood levels of drugs that are transported by P-glycoprotein.
Some of these drugs include some chemotherapeutic agents (daunorubicin, docetaxel, etoposide, paclitaxel, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine), antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), protease inhibitors (amprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir), H2 antagonists (cimetidine, ranitidine), some calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, verapamil), corticosteroids, erythromycin, cisapride (Propulsid), fexofenadine (Allegra), cyclosporine, loperamide (Imodium), quinidine, and others.
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 situation with Ensartinib (Ensacove), a targeted cancer medicine used for certain ALK-positive lung cancers. Ensartinib is moved around your body partly by a transporter called P-glycoprotein. In lab dish studies, methoxylated flavones from citrus peel (like nobiletin and tangeretin) can block that transporter. On paper, blocking it could let a little more Ensartinib get absorbed and build up in your blood, which might mean stronger effects and more side effects such as rash, nausea, fatigue, or liver enzyme changes.

I want to be honest: this is only a theoretical concern based on test-tube data, not real patient studies, and eating normal citrus is very different from taking concentrated supplement doses. Because Ensartinib is a serious cancer drug, please run any citrus-peel supplement past your oncologist or pharmacist before combining them.

References
  1. Takanaga H, Ohnishi A, Yamada S, et al. Polymethoxylated flavones in orange juice are inhibitors of P-glycoprotein but not cytochrome P450 3A4. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2000;293:230-6. DOI
  2. Feng SL, Yuan ZW, Yao XJ, et al. Tangeretin, a citrus pentamethoxyflavone, antagonizes ABCB1-mediated multidrug resistance by inhibiting its transport function. Pharmacol Res 2016;110:193-204. PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

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Ensartinib also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.

In vitro evidence suggests that methoxylated flavones might inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). This effect seems to be structure-dependent, and does not occur with all methoxylated flavones. So far this interaction has not been reported in humans. Theoretically, concurrent use of certain methoxylated flavones with drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 might result in increased drug levels and an increased risk for adverse effects.
Some drugs metabolized by CYP1A2 include clozapine (Clozaril), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), fluvoxamine (Luvox), haloperidol (Haldol), imipramine (Tofranil), mexiletine (Mexitil), olanzapine (Zyprexa), Pentazocine (Talwin), propranolol (Inderal), tacrine (Cognex), theophylline (Slo-bid, Theo-Dur, others), zileuton (Zyflo), Zolmitriptan (Zomig), and others.
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 for Ensartinib (Ensacove), the targeted therapy used for certain ALK-positive lung cancers. Your body relies on a liver enzyme called CYP3A4 to break this medicine down. Some methoxylated flavones from citrus peel may slow that enzyme in laboratory tests, and if that happened in a person, Ensartinib could build up higher than intended. More drug in your system could mean a stronger chance of side effects like rash, nausea, itching, or changes in liver or heart rhythm tests.

Keep this in perspective, though. This is only test-tube data, it doesn't happen with every flavone, and it has never actually been reported in people. A little citrus in food is very unlikely to matter, but concentrated supplements are a different story. Before adding one, please check with your oncology pharmacist or doctor.

References
  1. Li Y, Ning J, Wang Y, et al. Drug interaction study of flavonoids toward CYP3A4 and their quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) analysis for predicting potential effects. Toxicol Lett. 2018 Sep 15;294:27-36. 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

Methoxylated Flavones Also Interacts With Other Medications

Methoxylated Flavones has 891 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Ensartinib 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 Methoxylated Flavones

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Ensartinib

This page covers Methoxylated Flavones only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Ensartinib page lists 190 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

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

By severity: 6 major · 146 moderate · 38 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Ensartinib page

“Ensartinib (Ensacove) holds ALK-positive lung cancer in check, and I read this page as a genuine warning rather than fine print. Most of the entries can change how much of the drug actually reaches the bloodstream, because the body clears ensartinib through the CYP3A4 enzyme.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Ensartinib interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Methoxylated Flavones and Ensartinib 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 Methoxylated Flavones
Steady interest

#1,138 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Ensartinib
Top half

#885 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 Methoxylated Flavones

What is Methoxylated Flavones?

  • Antioxidant support
  • Circulation and blood vessel health
  • Anti-inflammatory support
  • Skin and aging support
  • General 'metabolism' or wellness blends

Methoxylated flavones (often called polymethoxyflavones) are a group of plant compounds, found mainly in citrus peel, that include substances like nobiletin and tangeretin. Lab and animal studies suggest possible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, but solid human research is very limited, so their real-world benefits are unproven. Talk with a pharmacist or doctor before using them, especially if you take medicines or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Read the full Methoxylated Flavones monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Methoxylated Flavones

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

0Major
891Moderate
0Minor
1,938No known interaction
Moderate

891 interactions

Showing 60 of 891 moderate interactions — see all 891 on the Methoxylated Flavones page.

No interaction 1,938 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 Methoxylated Flavones and Ensartinib Together: Common Questions

Can you take Methoxylated Flavones with Ensartinib?
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 Methoxylated Flavones and Ensartinib?
Ensartinib belongs to more than one drug category, and Methoxylated Flavones 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 Methoxylated Flavones and Ensartinib 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.