Oregano - Botox (Botulinum Toxin Type A) Interaction

Interaction Details

Pharmacist Analysis

Oregano (and oregano oil) supplements are generally considered safe and there is no indication that there is an interaction between the drug highlighted in this interaction monograph and oregano.

However, as with all supplements, it is important to talk to your doctor before starting anything new, so you can be appropriately monitored.

In terms of drug interactions that have been reported with oregano, below are some examples.

Anticoagulant; Antiplatelet Drugs

Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs work by slowing down or preventing blood clotting. While they are essential medications for individuals with certain conditions, they come with an increased risk of bleeding.

Some studies have reported that oregano oil may also increase the risk of bleeding, as it contains compounds that have antithrombin activity and can inhibit platelet aggregation.

Therefore, taking oregano oil along with anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs may increase the risk of bleeding, bruising, and other adverse effects.

Anti-Diabetic Drugs

Several studies suggest that oregano supplements may help lower blood glucose (i.e., sugar) levels. In vitro and animal research has shown that oregano extracts might stimulate glucose uptake and reduce blood glucose levels.

Therefore, based on the available evidence, combining oregano oil with antidiabetic drugs could potentially cause blood sugar levels to drop too low, leading to hypoglycemia.

However, it is important to note that studies reporting that oregano can reduce blood glucose levels have not reported it causing hypoglycemia.

References

• Anti-hyperglycaemic activity of the aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare growing wild in Tafilalet region. PubMed
• Inhibitory effect of clonal oregano extracts against porcine pancreatic amylase in vitro. PubMed
• Antithrombin activity of some constituents from Origanum vulgare. PubMed
• Comparative screening of plant essential oils: phenylpropanoid moiety as basic core for antiplatelet activity. PubMed

Botulinum Toxin Type A Overview

• OnabotulinumtoxinA injection (Botox, Botox Cosmetic) is used to treat a number of conditions.

• OnabotulinumtoxinA injection (Botox) is used to:

  • relieve the symptoms of cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis; uncontrollable tightening of the neck muscles that may cause neck pain and abnormal head positions) in people 16 years of age and older;

  • relieve the symptoms of strabismus (an eye muscle problem that causes the eye to turn inward or outward) and blepharospasm (uncontrollable tightening of the eyelid muscles that may cause blinking, squinting, and abnormal eyelid movements) in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older;

  • prevent headaches in people older than 18 years of age with chronic migraine (severe, throbbing headaches that are sometimes accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to sound or light) who have 15 or more days each month with headaches lasting 4 hours a day or longer;

  • treat overactive bladder (a condition in which the bladder muscles contract uncontrollably and cause frequent urination, urgent need to urinate, and inability to control urination) in people 18 years of age and older when other medications do not work well enough or cannot be taken;

  • treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO; a bladder control condition caused by brain, spinal cord or nerve problem) in children 5 years of age and older when other medications did not help or could not be tolerated;

  • treat incontinence (leakage of urine) in people 18 years of age and older with overactive bladder (condition in which the bladder muscles have uncontrollable spasms) caused by nerve problems such as spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis (MS; a disease in which the nerves do not function properly and people may experience weakness, numbness, loss of muscle coordination, and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control), who cannot be treated with oral medication;

  • treat spasticity (muscle stiffness and tightness) of muscles in the arms and legs in adults and children 2 years of age and older;

  • treat severe underarm sweating in people 18 years of age and older who cannot be treated with products applied on the skin;

• and

• OnabotulinumtoxinA injection (Botox Cosmetic) is used to

  • temporarily smooth frown lines (wrinkles between the eyebrows) in adults 18 years of age and older,

  • temporarily smooth crow's feet lines (wrinkles near the outer corner of the eye) in adults 18 years of age and older,

  • and to temporarily smooth forehead lines in adults 18 years of age and older.

• OnabotulinumtoxinA injection is in a class of medications called neurotoxins. When onabotulinumtoxinA is injected into a muscle, it blocks the nerve signals that cause uncontrollable tightening and movements of the muscle. When onabotulinumtoxinA is injected into a sweat gland, it decreases the activity of the gland to reduce sweating. When onabotulinumtoxinA is injected into the bladder, it decreases bladder contractions and blocks signals that tell the nervous system that the bladder is full.

Oregano - More Interactions

Oregano interacts with 205 drugs

Interaction Rating Key

These severity listings are for informational use only. Never start, stop or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.