Drug & supplement interaction

Motherwort + Liothyronine

Liothyronine brand name: Cytomel.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 20, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Motherwort and Liothyronine in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Motherwort and Liothyronine

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Liothyronine and Motherwort in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Motherwort safety at a glance

Motherwort overall Use caution May be tolerated short-term by healthy adults, but human safety data are limited.
Pregnancy Likely Unsafe When used orally or by injection. Alkaloids present in motherwort have uterine stimulant effects. Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Avoid Not enough safety information is available, so it is best avoided.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Liothyronine and Motherwort? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Liothyronine

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Liothyronine is filed under 2 classifications — thyroid hormone, oral drugs. Motherwort has documented interactions with 1 drug class — the most serious being cns depressants (moderate) — and none of Liothyronine’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Motherwort Does Interact With Other Medications

Motherwort has 248 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Liothyronine isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 248 No known interaction 2,582 (incl. Liothyronine)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Motherwort

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

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Motherwort and Liothyronine May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do. One of them is worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • An allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail

    Motherwort

    “Motherwort can also cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals (4). Intramuscularly and via intrauterine injection, transient fever and chills lasting less than 24 hours have been reported.”

    Motherwort · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in fever.

    2 sources cited
    1. 4. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
    2. 104855. Cao Shan DOSOGC, Zhang W, Zhao Z, et al. Post-marketing safety surveillance and reevaluation of Motherwort injection: A clinical study of 10 094 cases. J Tradit Chin Med. 2018 Aug;38(4):625-635. DOI

    Liothyronine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Liothyronine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Fever Additional detail

    Motherwort

    “Orally or via intramuscular or intrauterine injection, motherwort appears to be generally well tolerated.

    Most Common Adverse Effects:

    Orally: Diarrhea, stomach irritation.

    Topically: Contact dermatitis, photosensitivity.

    Intramuscular / Intrauterine: Abdominal pain, erythema, eyelid edema, fever, nausea, pruritus, rash.”

    Motherwort · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in dermatitis.

    Liothyronine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Liothyronine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Itching / A skin rash Additional detail

    Motherwort

    “Motherwort leaves can cause contact dermatitis, and the oil may cause photosensitivity reactions (4). Intramuscularly and via intrauterine injection, mild erythema, rash, and pruritus have been reported.”

    Motherwort · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in dermatitis.

    3 sources cited
    1. 4. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
    2. 101892. Xia WT, Zhou H, Wang Y, et al. Motherwort injection in preventing post-abortion hemorrhage after induced abortion: A multi-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial. Explore (NY). 2019. pii: S1550-8307(19)30447-1. PubMed
    3. 104855. Cao Shan DOSOGC, Zhang W, Zhao Z, et al. Post-marketing safety surveillance and reevaluation of Motherwort injection: A clinical study of 10 094 cases. J Tradit Chin Med. 2018 Aug;38(4):625-635. DOI

    Liothyronine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Liothyronine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Stomach pain / Diarrhea / Nausea Additional detail

    Motherwort

    “Orally, use of motherwort in amounts greater than 3 grams can cause diarrhea and stomach irritation (12). Intramuscularly and via intrauterine injection, abdominal pain and nausea have been reported.”

    Motherwort · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    2 sources cited
    1. 12. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
    2. 104855. Cao Shan DOSOGC, Zhang W, Zhao Z, et al. Post-marketing safety surveillance and reevaluation of Motherwort injection: A clinical study of 10 094 cases. J Tradit Chin Med. 2018 Aug;38(4):625-635. DOI

    Liothyronine

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Liothyronine. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Motherwort but not commonly for Liothyronine: stomach upset, sun sensitivity, bleeding or bruising and chills.

Effects for Liothyronine come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Motherwort come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Motherwort in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Likely Unsafe

When used orally or by injection. Alkaloids present in motherwort have uterine stimulant effects.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Overlapping uses

What Liothyronine Is Prescribed For, and What Motherwort Has Been Studied For

These two come up together because they touch the same health topic — not because they do the same job. Liothyronine is a prescription medicine with approved uses on its FDA label. Motherwort is a supplement: what follows is what researchers have looked at it for, and how strong that evidence is.

Liothyronine is prescribed for: Liothyronine (available as tablets under the brand names Cytomel, Liomny, and Liothyronine Sodium, and as an injection under Liothyronine Sodium and Triostat) is primarily used to treat hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) across all its forms — whether the cause is in the thyroid itself, the pituitary gland, or the hypothalamus, and whether it was present at birth or developed over time. The oral tablets are also used alongside surgery and radioiodine therapy to suppress TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) in people with well-differentiated thyroid cancer, and as a diagnostic agent in thyroid suppression tests. Liothyronine sodium injection is specifically indicated for myxedema coma (a life-threatening form of severe hypothyroidism) and may be used in patients who are allergic to thyroid products derived from pork or beef.

Motherwort has been studied for:

  • Hyperthyroidism studied, not established Motherwort has been studied for this. Natural Medicines rates the evidence: Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Read what the research shows

    Motherwort for hyperthyroidism

    Although there has been interest in using oral motherwort for hyperthyroidism, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of motherwort for this purpose.

  • Cancer studied, not established Motherwort has been studied for this. Natural Medicines rates the evidence: Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Read what the research shows

    Motherwort for cancer

    Although there has been interest in using oral motherwort for cancer, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of motherwort for this purpose.

Effectiveness ratings and the research summaries above are the verbatim record from the Natural Medicines database, which grades evidence from “Effective” down to “Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate”. A rating below the top of that scale means researchers have looked at it — not that it works, and never that it can stand in for a prescribed medicine. Do not stop or replace Liothyronine on your own; if you are taking Motherwort for the same health topic, tell your prescriber, especially if the medicine is being adjusted to a target.

From our Q&A

Questions About Motherwort or Liothyronine

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

This page covers Motherwort only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Liothyronine page lists 38 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Tiratricol (major), Acetyl-l-carnitine (moderate), Alpha-lipoic Acid (moderate) and Ascophyllum Nodosum (moderate).

By severity: 2 major · 26 moderate · 10 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Liothyronine page

“Liothyronine (Cytomel) is the active thyroid hormone T3, and it does not tolerate interference well. Of the 38 supplements and herbs on file, 21 act on thyroid function itself, some amplifying the hormone and others blunting it, iodine-rich seaweeds able to swing either way.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Liothyronine interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 400 real supplement products containing Motherwort, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Motherwort. Even though Motherwort itself has no known interaction with Liothyronine, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Motherwort and Liothyronine 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 Motherwort
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Liothyronine
Steady interest

#2,142 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.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Motherwort reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Motherwort and Liothyronine records this page draws on were last updated July 11, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Motherwort

What is Motherwort?

Motherwort
  • Anxiety and stress
  • Heart palpitations
  • Menstrual discomfort
  • Menopausal symptoms
  • Insomnia

Motherwort is a traditional herb in the mint family long used for anxiety, heart palpitations, and women's reproductive complaints, but solid human evidence is very limited. It should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and anyone with a heart condition or taking heart or blood-thinning medicines should talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using it.

Leonurus cardiaca · Lamiaceae · Aerial parts (leaves, stems, and flowering tops) · Tea, tincture, liquid extract, capsules, dried herb

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Motherwort is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Motherwort record says about it on its own.

Motherwort: dosing

There is no well-established standard dose for motherwort. Traditional preparations include teas made from the dried herb and liquid tinctures or extracts, and products vary widely in strength.Because doses are not standardized and product quality differs, the safest approach is to follow the directions on the specific product label and not exceed the suggested amount.

From our Motherwort monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Motherwort monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Liothyronine

What Is Liothyronine Used For?

Brand name: Cytomel

Liothyronine (available as tablets under the brand names Cytomel, Liomny, and Liothyronine Sodium, and as an injection under Liothyronine Sodium and Triostat) is primarily used to treat hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) across all its forms — whether the cause is in the thyroid itself, the pituitary gland, or the hypothalamus, and whether it was present at birth or developed over time.

The oral tablets are also used alongside surgery and radioiodine therapy to suppress TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) in people with well-differentiated thyroid cancer, and as a diagnostic agent in thyroid suppression tests. Liothyronine sodium injection is specifically indicated for myxedema coma (a life-threatening form of severe hypothyroidism) and may be used in patients who are allergic to thyroid products derived from pork or beef.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Liothyronine

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (0 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Headache 885 reports
Fatigue 849 reports
Nausea 585 reports
Dyspnea 559 reports
Hypertension 467 reports
See full Liothyronine drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Motherwort

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

0Major
248Moderate
0Minor
2,581No known interaction
248 Moderate 2,581 No interaction
Moderate

248 interactions

Showing 60 of 248 moderate interactions — see all 248 on the Motherwort page.

No interaction 2,581 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,581 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Motherwort list.

See the full Motherwort interactions page
See every supplement checked against Liothyronine, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Motherwort References

The 6 references that drive our Motherwort monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  3. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  4. Wojtyniak K, Szymanski M, Matlawska I. Leonurus cardiaca L. (motherwort): a review of its phytochemistry and pharmacology. Phytother Res 2013;27(8):1115-20.
  5. Xia WT, Zhou H, Wang Y, et al. Motherwort injection in preventing post-abortion hemorrhage after induced abortion: A multi-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial. Explore (NY). 2019. pii: S1550-8307(19)30447-1. PubMed
  6. Cao Shan DOSOGC, Zhang W, Zhao Z, et al. Post-marketing safety surveillance and reevaluation of Motherwort injection: A clinical study of 10 094 cases. J Tradit Chin Med. 2018 Aug;38(4):625-635. DOI

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Motherwort and Liothyronine Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Motherwort with Liothyronine?
We do not list a known interaction between Motherwort and Liothyronine. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Motherwort and Liothyronine have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 7 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
Are Motherwort and Liothyronine used for the same thing?
They overlap in purpose, which usually means the real question is whether you need both rather than whether they are safe together. This page lists the shared uses and how strong the evidence is for Motherwort in each. That is a conversation for your prescriber, especially if Liothyronine is being adjusted to a target.
How was the Motherwort and Liothyronine combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Liothyronine is filed under 2 classifications, and Motherwort has documented interactions with 1 drug class — none of Liothyronine's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.
Does Motherwort interact with any other medications?
Yes. Motherwort has 248 documented drug interactions in our database — Liothyronine is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.
Does Liothyronine interact with any supplements?
Yes. Liothyronine has documented interactions with 38 supplements in our database — Motherwort is not one of them. The Liothyronine interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Where next

Keep Exploring

Motherwort monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Liothyronine drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Liothyronine supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Liothyronine, 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 References The 6 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Liothyronine and Motherwort?

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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.