Drug & supplement interaction

Pleurisy Root + Saquinavir

Saquinavir brand names: Invirase, Fortovase.

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 Saquinavir 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 Saquinavir

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

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Saquinavir

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Saquinavir is filed under 8 classifications — including protease inhibitors (pis), organic anion-transporting polypeptide substrates (oatp), cytochrome p450 3a4 (cyp3a4) inhibitors. 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 Saquinavir’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 — Saquinavir 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. Saquinavir)
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 Saquinavir. 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 Saquinavir 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 Saquinavir.

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 Saquinavir

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 Saquinavir, 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 Saquinavir

This page covers Pleurisy Root only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Saquinavir page lists 175 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Apple (major), Grapefruit (major), St. John's Wort (major) and Sweet Orange (major).

By severity: 5 major · 130 moderate · 40 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Saquinavir page

“Saquinavir (Invirase), a protease inhibitor for HIV, only works while its blood level stays steady, which makes this a list to read carefully rather than skim. Five of the 175 ingredients carry a major rating, and several are ordinary drinks.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Saquinavir interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Pleurisy Root and Saquinavir 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

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

29 days ago today
Medication Saquinavir
Top half

#783 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 Saquinavir 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 Saquinavir

What Is Saquinavir Used For?

Brand names: Invirase, Fortovase

  • Saquinavir is used in combination with ritonavir (Norvir) and other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Saquinavir is in a class of medications called protease inhibitors. It works by decreasing the amount of HIV in the blood. Although saquinavir does not cure HIV, it may decrease your chance of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV-related illnesses such as serious infections or cancer. Taking these medications along with practicing safer sex and making other lifestyle changes may decrease the risk of transmitting the HIV virus to other people.

See full Saquinavir 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 Saquinavir, 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 Saquinavir Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Pleurisy Root with Saquinavir?
We do not list a known interaction between Pleurisy Root and Saquinavir. 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 Saquinavir combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Saquinavir is filed under 8 classifications, and Pleurisy Root has documented interactions with 3 drug classes — none of Saquinavir'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 — Saquinavir 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 Saquinavir interact with any supplements?
Yes. Saquinavir has documented interactions with 175 supplements in our database — Pleurisy Root is not one of them. The Saquinavir 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 Saquinavir drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Saquinavir supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Saquinavir, 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 Saquinavir 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.