Drug & supplement interaction

Panax Ginseng + Bupropion

Bupropion brand names: Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Zyban, Wellbutrin XL, Aplenzin, and others.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Panax Ginseng and Bupropion 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

Panax Ginseng and Bupropion

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 Bupropion and Panax Ginseng 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.

Panax Ginseng safety at a glance

Panax Ginseng overall Use caution Generally well tolerated short-term in healthy adults, but quality and long-term safety vary.
Pregnancy Possibly Unsafe When used orally. Ginsenoside Rb1, an active constituent of Panax ginseng, has teratogenic effects in animal models; avoid using. Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Avoid Not enough safety data; avoid while breastfeeding.

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 Bupropion and Panax Ginseng? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Bupropion

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Bupropion is filed under 6 classifications — including antidepressant drugs, cytochrome p450 2b6 (cyp2b6) substrates, cytochrome p450 2d6 (cyp2d6) inhibitors. Panax Ginseng has documented interactions with 20 drug classes — the most serious being anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs (moderate), antidiabetes drugs (moderate) and caffeine (moderate) — and none of Bupropion’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

Panax Ginseng Does Interact With Other Medications

Panax Ginseng has 1,130 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Bupropion isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Panax Ginseng

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

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Panax Ginseng and Bupropion 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. 4 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Mania or an unusually elevated mood Worth acting on Additional detail

    Panax Ginseng

    “Orally, one of the most common side effects to Panax ginseng is insomnia. Headache, vertigo, euphoria, and mania have also been reported. Migraine and somnolence occurred in single subjects in a clinical trial. In a case report of a 46-year-old female, orobuccolingual dyskinesia occurred following oral use of a preparation containing black cohosh 20 mg and Panax ginseng 50 mg twice daily for menopausal symptoms.”

    Panax Ginseng · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cluster headache.

    6 sources cited
    1. 589. Scaglione F, Cattaneo G, Alessandria M, Cogo R. Efficacy and safety of the standardized Ginseng extract G115 for potentiating vaccination against the influenza syndrome and protection against the common cold. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1996;22:65-72.
    2. 89734. Malati CY, Robertson SM, Hunt JD, Chairez C, Alfaro RM, Kovacs JA, Penzak SR. Influence of Panax ginseng on cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity in healthy participants. J Clin Pharmacol 2012;52(6):932-9.
    3. 111336. Liu J, Chang D, Cordato D, et al. A pilot randomized controlled trial of WeiNaoKang (SaiLuoTong) in treating vascular dementia. Aging Med (Milton). 2022;5(4):246-256. PubMed
    4. 114985. Arabi SM, Shahraki-Jazinaki M, Nayyerabadi M, et al. The Effect of Ginseng Supplementation on Lipid Profile: GRADE-assessed Systematic Review and Dose-response Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Curr Pharm Des 2024;30(26):2047-205. PubMed
    5. 594. Gonzalez-Seijo JC, Ramos YM, Lastra I. Manic episode and ginseng: Report of a possible case. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1995;15:447-8.
    6. 23638. Kim, T. H., Jeon, S. H., Hahn, E. J., Paek, K. Y., Park, J. K., Youn, N. Y., and Lee, H. L. Effects of tissue-cultured mountain ginseng (Panax ginseng CA Meyer) extract on male patients with erectile dysfunction. Asian J Androl 2009;11(3):356-361. PubMed

    Bupropion

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

  • An irregular heartbeat Worth acting on Additional detail

    Panax Ginseng

    “Orally, Panax ginseng is generally well tolerated when used for up to 6 months. There is some concern about the long-term safety due to potential hormone-like effects.

    Topically, no adverse effects have been reported when ginseng is used as a single ingredient.”

    Panax Ginseng · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in arrhythmia.

    Bupropion

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

  • Raised blood pressure Worth acting on Additional detail

    Panax Ginseng

    “Panax ginseng may cause hypertension, hypotension, and edema when used orally in high doses, long-term. However, single doses of Panax ginseng up to 800 mg are not associated with changes in electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters or increases in heart rate or blood pressure.”

    Panax Ginseng · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in hypertension.

    4 sources cited
    1. 3353. Siegel RK. Ginseng Abuse Syndrome. JAMA 1979;241:1614-5. DOI
    2. 96218. Shah SA, Occiano A, Nguyen TA, et al. Electrocardiographic and blood pressure effects of energy drinks and panax ginseng in healthy volunteers: a randomized clinical trial. Int J Cardiol. 2016 Sep 1;218:318-23. PubMed
    3. 13030. Kabalak AA, Soyal OB, Urfalioglu A, et al. Menometrorrhagia and tachyarrhythmia after using oral and topical ginseng. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2004;13:830-3. PubMed
    4. 89402. Martínez-Mir I, Rubio E, Morales-Olivas FJ, Palop-Larrea V. Transient ischemic attack secondary to hypertensive crisis related to Panax ginseng. Ann Pharmacother 2004;38(11):1970.

    Bupropion

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

  • Bleeding or bruising Worth acting on Additional detail

    Panax Ginseng

    “Amenorrhea has been reported with oral use of Panax ginseng.

    Topically, when a specific multi-ingredient cream preparation (SS Cream) has been applied to the glans penis, sporadic erectile dysfunction and excessively delayed ejaculation have occurred. Less commonly, patients can experience vaginal bleeding.”

    Panax Ginseng · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in amenorrhea.

    6 sources cited
    1. 3353. Siegel RK. Ginseng Abuse Syndrome. JAMA 1979;241:1614-5. DOI
    2. 2537. Choi HK, Jung GW, Moon KH, et al. Clinical study of SS-Cream in patients with lifelong premature ejaculation. Urology 2000;55:257-61. PubMed
    3. 591. Hopkins MP, Androff L, Benninghoff AS. Ginseng face cream and unexplained vaginal bleeding. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1988;159:1121-2. PubMed
    4. 592. Greenspan EM. Ginseng and vaginal bleeding [letter]. JAMA 1983;249:2018.
    5. 3354. Palop-Larrea V, Gonzalvez-Perales JL, Catalan-Oliver C, et al. Metrorrhagia and ginseng. Ann Pharmacother 2000;34:1347-8. PubMed
    6. 23630. Oh, K. J., Chae, M. J., Lee, H. S., Hong, H. D., and Park, K. Effects of Korean red ginseng on sexual arousal in menopausal women: placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover clinical study. J Sex Med 2010;7(4 Pt 1):1469-1477. PubMed

    “The estrogenic effects of ginseng are controversial. Some clinical evidence suggests it doesn't have estrogen-mediated effects. However, case reports of ginseng side effects such as postmenopausal vaginal bleeding suggest estrogenic activity.

    In a 12-year-old Korean-Japanese male, enlargement of both breasts with tenderness in the right breast (gynecomastia) occurred after taking red ginseng extract 500 mg daily oral…”

    Panax Ginseng · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in myasthenia gravis.

    6 sources cited
    1. 10981. Wiklund IK, Mattsson LA, Lindgren R, et al. Effects of a standardized ginseng extract on quality of life and physiological parameters in symptomatic postmenopausal women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1999;19:89-99..
    2. 590. Palmer BV, Montgomery AC, Monteiro JC, et al. Gin Seng and mastalgia [letter]. BMJ 1978;1:1284. PubMed
    3. 591. Hopkins MP, Androff L, Benninghoff AS. Ginseng face cream and unexplained vaginal bleeding. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1988;159:1121-2. PubMed
    4. 592. Greenspan EM. Ginseng and vaginal bleeding [letter]. JAMA 1983;249:2018.
    5. 10982. Hammond TG, Whitworth JA. Adverse reactions to ginseng [letter]. Med J Aust 1981;1:492.. PubMed
    6. 10983. Punnonen R, Lukola A. Oestrogen-like effect of ginseng. Br Med J 1980;281:1110.. PubMed

    Bupropion

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

  • Migraine / Drowsiness Additional detail

    Panax Ginseng

    Recorded for Panax Ginseng in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Mania or an unusually elevated mood above.

    Bupropion

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

  • Low blood pressure Additional detail

    Panax Ginseng

    “A case of anaphylaxis, with symptoms of hypotension and rash, has been reported following ingestion of a small amount of Panax ginseng syrup.”

    Panax Ginseng · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in hypotension.

    1 source cited
    1. 11971. Wiwanikit V, Taungjarwinai W. A case report of suspected ginseng allergy. Medscape General Medicine 6 (3), 2004. Available at: www.medscape.com/viewarticle/482833 (Accessed 17 September 2004).

    Bupropion

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

  • Reduced appetite / Constipation Additional detail

    Panax Ginseng

    “Orally, Panax ginseng can cause decreased appetite, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, and nausea. However, these effects are typically associated with long-term, high-dose usage. Some evidence suggests that fermented Panax ginseng is more likely to cause abdominal pain and diarrhea when compared with unfermented Panax ginseng.”

    Panax Ginseng · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in constipation.

    6 sources cited
    1. 3353. Siegel RK. Ginseng Abuse Syndrome. JAMA 1979;241:1614-5. DOI
    2. 89734. Malati CY, Robertson SM, Hunt JD, Chairez C, Alfaro RM, Kovacs JA, Penzak SR. Influence of Panax ginseng on cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity in healthy participants. J Clin Pharmacol 2012;52(6):932-9.
    3. 103477. Shen L, Gwak SR, Joo JC, et al. Effectiveness and safety of Panax ginseng extract on hepatic dysfunction: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020;2020:2689565.
    4. 112841. Shin MB, Kim SA, Lee S, et al. Pharmacokinetic Comparison of Ginsenosides between Fermented and Non-Fermented Red Ginseng in Healthy Volunteers. Pharmaceutics 2022;14(12):2807. PubMed
    5. 114980. Gao J, Shi J, Ma X, et al. Effects of ginseng berry saponins from panax ginseng on glucose metabolism of patients with prediabetes: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Phytomedicine 2024;132:155842. PubMed
    6. 114985. Arabi SM, Shahraki-Jazinaki M, Nayyerabadi M, et al. The Effect of Ginseng Supplementation on Lipid Profile: GRADE-assessed Systematic Review and Dose-response Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Curr Pharm Des 2024;30(26):2047-205. PubMed

    Bupropion

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

  • Trouble sleeping Additional detail

    Panax Ginseng

    Recorded for Panax Ginseng in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under An irregular heartbeat above.

    Bupropion

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

Showing the 10 most notable of 17 shared effects — ranked by how unusual each one is, not just whether both lists mention it.

Reported for Panax Ginseng but not commonly for Bupropion: a stroke or mini-stroke, a severe skin reaction, erection problems and a fast or pounding heartbeat.

Effects for Bupropion come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Panax Ginseng come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 152,137 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Bupropion that mention that effect — a reporting proportion, not an incidence rate and not evidence the drug caused it. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Panax Ginseng in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Possibly Unsafe

When used orally. Ginsenoside Rb1, an active constituent of Panax ginseng, has teratogenic effects in animal models; avoid using.

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 Bupropion Is Prescribed For, and What Panax Ginseng Has Been Studied For

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

Bupropion is prescribed for: Bupropion is FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) — a form of clinical depression. Extended-release formulations (XL and hydrobromide versions, including Aplenzin) are also approved for the prevention of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the pattern of depression that tends to arrive in autumn and winter. Not all formulations share every indication. Aplenzin (bupropion hydrobromide extended-release) and bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) are indicated for both MDD and SAD.

Read the rest of what Bupropion is prescribed for

Bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) and bupropion hydrochloride immediate-release tablets are indicated for MDD only.

Panax Ginseng has been studied for:

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

    Panax Ginseng for depression

    It is unclear if Panax ginseng is beneficial in depression.

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 Bupropion on your own; if you are taking Panax Ginseng for the same health topic, tell your prescriber, especially if the medicine is being adjusted to a target.

From our Q&A

Questions About Panax Ginseng or Bupropion

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

This page covers Panax Ginseng only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Bupropion page lists 46 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Adrafinil (moderate), African Wild Potato (moderate), Artichoke (moderate) and Astaxanthin (moderate).

By severity: 1 major · 33 moderate · 12 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Bupropion page

“Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) deserves genuine care around supplements, and the entry to understand first is activated charcoal, the only major-rated interaction on this list. Charcoal and similar bulk products can soak up the drug in the gut and blunt its effect, so space them well apart from your dose.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Bupropion interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 517 real supplement products containing Panax Ginseng, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Panax Ginseng. Even though Panax Ginseng itself has no known interaction with Bupropion, 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 Panax Ginseng and Bupropion 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 Panax Ginseng
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Bupropion
Top 1%

#23 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 Panax Ginseng reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Panax Ginseng and Bupropion 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 Panax Ginseng

What is Panax Ginseng?

Panax Ginseng
  • Boosting energy and fighting fatigue
  • Improving mental focus and memory
  • Coping with stress (adaptogen)
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Supporting immune health
  • Blood sugar support

Panax ginseng is a popular traditional herb used to boost energy, ease stress, and support overall wellness, though scientific evidence is mixed and mostly preliminary. It is generally well tolerated for short-term use in healthy adults, but it can cause side effects like trouble sleeping and may not be safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting it, especially if you have a medical condition or take other medicines.

Panax ginseng · Araliaceae · Root · Capsules, tablets, dried root, powder, tea, liquid extracts, energy drinks

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

Panax Ginseng: dosing

There is no single official or standardized dose for Panax ginseng. The right amount depends on the product, the form (such as dried root, extract, or red ginseng), and how it is standardized for ginsenosides.The best approach is to follow the directions on the product label and not take more than recommended.

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

Read the full Panax Ginseng monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Bupropion

What Is Bupropion Used For?

Brand names: Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin SR, Zyban, Wellbutrin XL, Aplenzin, Forfivo XL

Bupropion is FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) — a form of clinical depression. Extended-release formulations (XL and hydrobromide versions, including Aplenzin) are also approved for the prevention of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), the pattern of depression that tends to arrive in autumn and winter.

Not all formulations share every indication. Aplenzin (bupropion hydrobromide extended-release) and bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (XL) are indicated for both MDD and SAD. Bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets (SR) and bupropion hydrochloride immediate-release tablets are indicated for MDD only.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Bupropion

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (152,137 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Nausea 11,909 reports
Fatigue 10,076 reports
Headache 10,053 reports
Depression 8,639 reports
Dizziness 7,786 reports
See full Bupropion drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Panax Ginseng

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

0Major
1,130Moderate
0Minor
1,699No known interaction
Moderate

1,130 interactions

Showing 60 of 1,130 moderate interactions — see all 1,130 on the Panax Ginseng page.

No interaction 1,699 drugs checked — show the list
Evidence & sources

Panax Ginseng References

The 66 references that drive our Panax Ginseng 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. Scaglione F, Cattaneo G, Alessandria M, Cogo R. Efficacy and safety of the standardized Ginseng extract G115 for potentiating vaccination against the influenza syndrome and protection against the common cold. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1996;22:65-72.
  2. Palmer BV, Montgomery AC, Monteiro JC, et al. Gin Seng and mastalgia [letter]. BMJ 1978;1:1284. PubMed
  3. Hopkins MP, Androff L, Benninghoff AS. Ginseng face cream and unexplained vaginal bleeding. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1988;159:1121-2. PubMed
  4. Greenspan EM. Ginseng and vaginal bleeding [letter]. JAMA 1983;249:2018.
  5. Gonzalez-Seijo JC, Ramos YM, Lastra I. Manic episode and ginseng: Report of a possible case. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1995;15:447-8.
  6. Dega H, Laporte JL, Frances C, et al. Ginseng as a cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Lancet 1996;347:1344.
  7. Hamid S, Rojter S, Vierling J. Protracted cholestatic hepatitis after the use of Prostata. Ann Intern Med 1997;127:169-70.
  8. Shader RI, Greenblatt DJ. Phenelzine and the dream machine-ramblings and reflections. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1985;5:65. PubMed
  9. Jones BD, Runikis AM. Interaction of ginseng with phenelzine. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1987;7:201-2. PubMed
  10. Janetzky K, Morreale AP. Probable interaction between warfarin and ginseng. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1997;54:692-3. PubMed
  11. Becker BN. Ginseng-induced diuretic resistance. JAMA 1996;276:606-7. PubMed
  12. Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA. Clinical assessment of potential cytochrome P450-mediated herb-drug interactions. AAPS Ann Mtg & Expo Indianapolis, IN: 2000; Oct 29 - Nov 2:presentation #3460.
  13. Park HJ, Lee JH, Song YB, Park KH. Effects of dietary supplementation of lipophilic fraction from Panax ginseng on cGMP and cAMP in rat platelets and on blood coagulation. Biol Pharm Bull 1996;19:1434-9. PubMed
  14. Zhu M, Chan KW, Ng LS, et al. Possible influences of ginseng on the pharmacodynamics of warfarin in rats. J Pharm Pharmacol 1999;51:175-80.
  15. Choi HK, Jung GW, Moon KH, et al. Clinical study of SS-Cream in patients with lifelong premature ejaculation. Urology 2000;55:257-61. PubMed

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 Panax Ginseng and Bupropion Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Panax Ginseng with Bupropion?
We do not list a known interaction between Panax Ginseng and Bupropion. 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 Panax Ginseng and Bupropion have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 10 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 Panax Ginseng and Bupropion 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 Panax Ginseng in each. That is a conversation for your prescriber, especially if Bupropion is being adjusted to a target.
How was the Panax Ginseng and Bupropion combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Bupropion is filed under 6 classifications, and Panax Ginseng has documented interactions with 20 drug classes — none of Bupropion'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 Panax Ginseng interact with any other medications?
Yes. Panax Ginseng has 1,130 documented drug interactions in our database — Bupropion 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 Bupropion interact with any supplements?
Yes. Bupropion has documented interactions with 46 supplements in our database — Panax Ginseng is not one of them. The Bupropion interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

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

Still Have a Question About Bupropion and Panax Ginseng?

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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.