Drug & supplement interaction

Propolis + Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate

Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate brand name: Bevespi Aerosphere.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate falls into 3 drug categories that Propolis can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
Interactions3
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Propolis and Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate

These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Propolis interacts with whole categories of medication. Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Propolis in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES

1 of 3

Why this applies to Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate

Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES — the group Propolis interacts with.

Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C19.
In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP2C19. However, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP2C19 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that inhibit CYP2C19 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the good news first: this concern is mostly theoretical. The idea is that high doses of propolis might slow down a liver enzyme called CYP2C19, which could let certain medications build up in your blood. But this was only seen in test tube studies. When researchers gave propolis to animals, it didn't meaningfully affect that enzyme, and it has never been reported in people.

On top of that, your Bevespi Aerosphere (formoterol and glycopyrrolate) is an inhaler that mostly works right in your lungs, and these two drugs don't really depend on CYP2C19 for clearance. So a real-world interaction is unlikely. If you ever feel jittery, shaky, a racing heartbeat, or dry mouth, just check in with your pharmacist or doctor.

References
  1. Naramoto K, Kato M, Ichihara K. Effects of an ethanol extract of Brazilian green propolis on human cytochrome P450 enzyme activities in vitro. J Agric Food Chem 2014;62(46):11296-302. PubMed
  2. Ryu CS, Oh SJ, Oh JM, et al. Inhibition of cytochrome P450 by propolis in human liver microsomes. Toxicol Res 2016;32(3):207-13. PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES

2 of 3

Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP2D6. However, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP2D6 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that inhibit CYP2D6 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the situation with your Bevespi Aerosphere inhaler (which combines formoterol and glycopyrrolate). The concern on file is that propolis might block an enzyme called CYP2D6 that helps clear certain medicines. In theory, if that enzyme slows down, formoterol could build up a bit, which might nudge up the usual side effects you'd see with this inhaler, like a faster or pounding heartbeat, shakiness, or feeling jittery.

That said, I want to keep this in perspective. This idea comes only from lab (test tube) studies, and animal research did not show a real effect. It has never been reported in people. So for most folks using normal amounts of propolis, this is unlikely to cause trouble. Still, it's worth a quick mention to your pharmacist or doctor.

References
  1. Naramoto K, Kato M, Ichihara K. Effects of an ethanol extract of Brazilian green propolis on human cytochrome P450 enzyme activities in vitro. J Agric Food Chem 2014;62(46):11296-302. PubMed
  2. Ryu CS, Oh SJ, Oh JM, et al. Inhibition of cytochrome P450 by propolis in human liver microsomes. Toxicol Res 2016;32(3):207-13. PubMed
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES

3 of 3

Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
In vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP2C9. However, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP2C9 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that inhibit CYP2C9 in vitro do not have significant effects in vivo due to low bioavailability and hepatic first-pass effect. This effect has not been reported in humans.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the honest picture with Bevespi Aerosphere (formoterol and glycopyrrolate) and propolis. The concern on file is that propolis might slow down a liver enzyme called CYP2C9, which in theory could let certain medicines build up. But this really only applies to drugs that depend heavily on CYP2C9, and your inhaler doesn't fit that mold. Formoterol and glycopyrrolate are inhaled and act mostly in the lungs, so very little reaches your liver to be processed this way.

On top of that, this signal comes only from lab dish studies, not from people, and animal research didn't show a real effect. Neither drug is a prodrug, so nothing flips here. I wouldn't lose sleep over it, but it never hurts to run your supplements by your pharmacist.

References
  1. Naramoto K, Kato M, Ichihara K. Effects of an ethanol extract of Brazilian green propolis on human cytochrome P450 enzyme activities in vitro. J Agric Food Chem 2014;62(46):11296-302. PubMed
  2. Ryu CS, Oh SJ, Oh JM, et al. Inhibition of cytochrome P450 by propolis in human liver microsomes. Toxicol Res 2016;32(3):207-13. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Propolis Also Interacts With Other Medications

Propolis has 922 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Propolis

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate

This page covers Propolis only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate page lists 129 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Henbane (major), Scopolia (major), 1,3-dmaa (moderate), Acacia Rigidula (moderate) and Active Hexose Correlated Compound (ahcc) (moderate).

By severity: 2 major · 106 moderate · 21 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate page

“If you use Bevespi Aerosphere (formoterol and glycopyrrolate) for COPD, supplement choices deserve real care here, starting with the two entries rated major, henbane and scopolia. Glycopyrrolate already works by blocking acetylcholine, and both of those herbs carry atropine-like alkaloids that pile the same effects on top of it, meanin…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 723 real supplement products containing Propolis, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Propolis. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate too, on top of Propolis — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Propolis and Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate 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 Propolis
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate
Top 25%

#374 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.

Supplement

About Propolis

What is Propolis?

Propolis
  • Cold sores and herpes lesions (topical)
  • Sore throat and mouth sores
  • Wound and skin healing
  • Immune support
  • Oral and gum health

Propolis is a natural, resin-like substance made by bees that has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in lab studies. Early research suggests it may help with cold sores, mouth sores, and minor wounds, but high-quality evidence is limited for most uses. It is generally well tolerated, but allergic reactions can occur, especially in people allergic to bee products.

Read the full Propolis monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Propolis

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

0Major
922Moderate
0Minor
1,907No known interaction
Moderate

922 interactions

Showing 60 of 922 moderate interactions — see all 922 on the Propolis page.

No interaction 1,907 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,907 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Propolis list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Propolis and Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate Together: Common Questions

Can you take Propolis with Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Propolis and Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate?
Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate belongs to more than one drug category, and Propolis interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Propolis and Formoterol Fumarate, Glycopyrrolate interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

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

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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.