Drug & supplement interaction

Pleurisy Root + Dextromethorphan

Dextromethorphan brand names: Hold, Benylin Adult, Benylin Pediatric, Theraflu Thin Strips Long Acting Cough, Neo Citran Thin Strips Cough.

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 Pleurisy Root and Dextromethorphan 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.

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Interaction report

Pleurisy Root and Dextromethorphan

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 Dextromethorphan and Pleurisy Root 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.

Pleurisy Root safety at a glance

Pleurisy Root overall Use caution It contains potentially toxic compounds and has little safety data, so use cautiously and under guidance.
Pregnancy Avoid Traditionally used to stimulate the uterus and considered unsafe in pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Possibly Unsafe When used orally; avoid using. Read the full breastfeeding detail

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 Dextromethorphan and Pleurisy Root? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Dextromethorphan

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Dextromethorphan is filed under 6 classifications — including serotonergic drugs, serotonergic drugs, cytochrome p450 2d6 (cyp2d6) substrates. Pleurisy Root has documented interactions with 3 drug classes — the most serious being digoxin (lanoxin) (major), diuretic drugs (moderate) and estrogens (moderate) — and none of Dextromethorphan’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

Pleurisy Root Does Interact With Other Medications

Pleurisy Root has 1 major, 116 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Dextromethorphan isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 1 Moderate 116 No known interaction 2,713 (incl. Dextromethorphan)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Pleurisy Root

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

What to actually watch for

What Pleurisy Root Itself Has Been Linked To

This is not an interaction — nothing below involves Dextromethorphan. It is the side-effect record for Pleurisy Root on its own, from the licensed Natural Medicines monograph. If something new turns up after you add Pleurisy Root, this list is the first place to look. 3 entries are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Muscle weakness Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Orally, pleurisy root can cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, and vomiting (19). When consumed in large quantities, pleurisy root may cause digitalis-like poisoning symptoms (18). Acute digitalis poisoning symptoms include gastrointestinal upset, contracted pupils, blurred vision, strong slow pulse, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, excessive urination, fatigue, muscle weakness and tremors, stupor, confusion, convu…”

    Pleurisy Root · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in arrhythmia.

    5 sources cited
    1. 19. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
    2. 18. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
    3. 6. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
    4. 159. Gossel TA, Bricker JD. Principles of Clinical Toxicology. New York, NY:Raven Press, 1994.
    5. 501. De Smet PAGM, Keller K, Hansel R, Chandler RF, Eds. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 1. Verlag, Berlin: Springer, 1992. DOI
  • A slow heartbeat Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Orally, consuming large quantities of pleurisy root may cause digitalis-like poisoning symptoms (18). Acute digitalis poisoning symptoms include strong slow pulse, atrial arrhythmias, bradycardia, AV block, cardiovascular shock, and death (6,159,501).”

    Pleurisy Root · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in arrhythmia.

    4 sources cited
    1. 18. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
    2. 6. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
    3. 159. Gossel TA, Bricker JD. Principles of Clinical Toxicology. New York, NY:Raven Press, 1994.
    4. 501. De Smet PAGM, Keller K, Hansel R, Chandler RF, Eds. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 1. Verlag, Berlin: Springer, 1992. DOI
  • Confusion / Seizures Worth acting on Additional detail

    “Orally, consuming large quantities of pleurisy root may cause digitalis-like poisoning symptoms (18). Acute digitalis poisoning symptoms include dizziness, stupor, confusion, convulsions, and fatigue (6,159,501).”

    Pleurisy Root · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in fatigue.

    4 sources cited
    1. 18. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
    2. 6. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
    3. 159. Gossel TA, Bricker JD. Principles of Clinical Toxicology. New York, NY:Raven Press, 1994.
    4. 501. De Smet PAGM, Keller K, Hansel R, Chandler RF, Eds. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 1. Verlag, Berlin: Springer, 1992. DOI
  • Blurred vision Additional detail

    “Orally, consuming large quantities of pleurisy root may cause digitalis-like poisoning symptoms (18). Acute digitalis poisoning symptoms include contracted pupils and blurred vision (6,159,501).”

    Pleurisy Root · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in poisoning.

    4 sources cited
    1. 18. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
    2. 6. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
    3. 159. Gossel TA, Bricker JD. Principles of Clinical Toxicology. New York, NY:Raven Press, 1994.
    4. 501. De Smet PAGM, Keller K, Hansel R, Chandler RF, Eds. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 1. Verlag, Berlin: Springer, 1992. DOI
  • Stomach upset / Vomiting Additional detail

    “Orally, pleurisy root can cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, and vomiting (19). When consumed in large quantities, pleurisy root may cause digitalis-like poisoning symptoms (18). Acute digitalis poisoning symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal upset (6,159,501).”

    Pleurisy Root · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in nausea and vomiting.

    5 sources cited
    1. 19. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
    2. 18. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
    3. 6. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
    4. 159. Gossel TA, Bricker JD. Principles of Clinical Toxicology. New York, NY:Raven Press, 1994.
    5. 501. De Smet PAGM, Keller K, Hansel R, Chandler RF, Eds. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 1. Verlag, Berlin: Springer, 1992. DOI
  • Tiredness / Dizziness Additional detail

    Recorded for Pleurisy Root in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Muscle weakness above.

  • A skin rash Additional detail

    “Topically, pleurisy root may cause dermatitis (19).”

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

    1 source cited
    1. 19. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.

Showing the 10 most notable of 11 recorded effects — ranked by how unusual each one is across medicines generally, with serious effects weighted up.

Everything above comes from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record for Pleurisy Root — expand a row for the licensed statement it rests on. We haven’t matched Dextromethorphan to its FDA label in our system yet, so we can’t compare its own side-effect list here — the leaflet that comes with your prescription is the authoritative list for Dextromethorphan.

Special populations

Pleurisy Root in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Lactation Possibly Unsafe

When used orally; 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

From our Q&A

Questions About Pleurisy Root or Dextromethorphan

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

This page covers Pleurisy Root only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Dextromethorphan page lists 171 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Grapefruit (major), Lithium (major), St. John's Wort (major) and 1,3-dmaa (moderate).

By severity: 4 major · 125 moderate · 42 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Dextromethorphan page

“A glass of grapefruit juice can push dextromethorphan (Benylin, Hold, and other cough medicines) to higher levels than intended, one of four major-rated entries among the 171 supplements and herbs on file, and the list as a whole warrants real care. Most interactions trace back to the liver enzymes (CYP3A4 and CYP2D6) that clear dextro…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Dextromethorphan interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Pleurisy Root and Dextromethorphan 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 Pleurisy Root
Steady interest

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

29 days ago today
Medication Dextromethorphan
Top 25%

#538 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 Pleurisy Root reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Pleurisy Root and Dextromethorphan 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 Pleurisy Root

What is Pleurisy Root?

  • Respiratory congestion
  • Pleurisy and chest discomfort
  • Coughs and bronchitis
  • Promoting sweating during fevers
  • Loosening mucus

Pleurisy root is the dried root of Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed), a plant used in traditional North American and herbal medicine mainly for respiratory complaints. There is very little modern scientific evidence that it works for any condition, and it contains compounds that can be toxic, so caution is strongly advised. Pregnant and breastfeeding people should avoid it, and anyone considering it should check with a pharmacist or doctor first.

Asclepias tuberosa · Apocynaceae · Dried root · Tea, tincture, capsules, dried root

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

Pleurisy Root: dosing

There is no well-established or standardized dose for pleurisy root, and the strength of products can vary widely. Because of its potential toxicity, more is not better and self-dosing can be risky.If you choose to use a commercial product, follow the directions on the label and do not exceed them.

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

Read the full Pleurisy Root monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Dextromethorphan

What Is Dextromethorphan Used For?

Brand names: Hold, Benylin Adult, Benylin Pediatric, Theraflu Thin Strips Long Acting Cough, Neo Citran Thin Strips Cough

Dextromethorphan temporarily relieves cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation, such as the kind that comes with the common cold or breathing in irritants. It also helps reduce the urge to cough so you — or your child — can get to sleep.

Some products, including CVS Long Acting Cough and Premier Value Tussin Cough oral liquids, are also indicated to help loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to help drain the airways.

See full Dextromethorphan drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Pleurisy Root

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

1Major
116Moderate
0Minor
2,712No known interaction
1 Major 116 Moderate 2,712 No interaction
Major

1 interaction

Moderate

116 interactions

Showing 60 of 116 moderate interactions — see all 116 on the Pleurisy Root page.

No interaction 2,712 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,712 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Pleurisy Root list.

See the full Pleurisy Root interactions page
See every supplement checked against Dextromethorphan, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Pleurisy Root References

The 7 references that drive our Pleurisy Root 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. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  4. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  5. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  6. Gossel TA, Bricker JD. Principles of Clinical Toxicology. New York, NY:Raven Press, 1994.
  7. De Smet PAGM, Keller K, Hansel R, Chandler RF, Eds. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 1. Verlag, Berlin: Springer, 1992. 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 Pleurisy Root and Dextromethorphan Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Pleurisy Root with Dextromethorphan?
We do not list a known interaction between Pleurisy Root and Dextromethorphan. 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.
How was the Pleurisy Root and Dextromethorphan combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Dextromethorphan is filed under 6 classifications, and Pleurisy Root has documented interactions with 3 drug classes — none of Dextromethorphan'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 Pleurisy Root interact with any other medications?
Yes. Pleurisy Root has 117 documented drug interactions in our database — Dextromethorphan 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 Dextromethorphan interact with any supplements?
Yes. Dextromethorphan has documented interactions with 171 supplements in our database — Pleurisy Root is not one of them. The Dextromethorphan 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

Pleurisy Root monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Dextromethorphan drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Dextromethorphan supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Dextromethorphan, 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 7 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Dextromethorphan and Pleurisy Root?

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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.