Drug & supplement interaction

Propolis + Progesterone (prescription drug)

Progesterone (prescription drug) brand names: Prometrium, Endometrin, Utrogestan.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated October 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Progesterone (prescription drug) falls into 2 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
Interactions2
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Propolis and Progesterone (prescription drug)

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Propolis interacts with whole categories of medication. Progesterone (prescription drug) falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Propolis in 2 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 2

Why this applies to Progesterone (prescription drug)

Progesterone (prescription drug) 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 situation with propolis and your prescription progesterone. Your body uses a liver enzyme called CYP2C19 to help process progesterone. In a test tube, propolis can slow that enzyme down, which in theory could let a little more progesterone build up in your blood. If that happened, you might notice more of progesterone's usual effects, like drowsiness, dizziness, breast tenderness, or bloating.

The good news is this is very much a theoretical concern. When propolis was tested in animals, it didn't meaningfully change this enzyme, likely because the body doesn't absorb much of it. There are no reports of this actually causing trouble in people. Normal amounts probably won't matter, but if you take concentrated propolis daily, just mention it to your pharmacist or doctor.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
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 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

2 of 2

Progesterone (prescription drug) also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, high doses of propolis might increase blood levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Some in vitro research shows that propolis extract can inhibit CYP3A4; however, other in vitro research shows that propolis has no effect on CYP3A4 activity. Furthermore, animal research shows that propolis extract does not significantly affect CYP3A4 activity when administered to rats at doses up to 250 mg/kg. It is postulated that the constituents of propolis that might in inhibit CYP3A4 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

Your body relies on a liver enzyme called CYP3A4 to break down progesterone. The thinking here is that propolis might slow that enzyme down, which in theory could let more progesterone build up in your system. If that happened, you could notice more of progesterone's usual effects, like drowsiness, dizziness, breast tenderness, bloating, or mood changes.

Here's the reassuring part: this is a very weak, theoretical concern. It only showed up in some lab dish studies, and even those disagreed with each other. Animal studies didn't find a real effect, and nothing has been reported in people. Everyday amounts are unlikely to cause trouble, but if you take concentrated propolis supplements daily, just mention it to your pharmacist or doctor.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
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 Progesterone (prescription drug) one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 922 No known interaction 1,908 (incl. Progesterone (prescription drug))
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 Progesterone (prescription drug)

This page covers Propolis only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Progesterone (prescription drug) page lists 148 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Grapefruit (major), St. John's Wort (major), Acacia Rigidula (moderate) and Adrafinil (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 104 moderate · 41 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Progesterone (prescription drug) page

“Prescription progesterone (Prometrium, Endometrin) supports pregnancy, regulates cycles, and protects the uterine lining during estrogen therapy, and because a steady hormone level is the whole point of taking it, its 148 documented supplement interactions warrant genuine vigilance. Most of them act on CYP3A4, the liver enzyme that cle…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Progesterone (prescription drug) 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 Progesterone (prescription drug) 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 Progesterone (prescription drug) 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%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Progesterone (prescription drug)
Top 10%

#264 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
Medication

About Progesterone Vaginal

What Is Progesterone Vaginal Used For?

Brand names: Prometrium, Endometrin, Utrogestan

Progesterone vaginal products are used as part of fertility treatment. Endometrin, a vaginal insert, is used in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program to support embryo implantation in infertile women under 35. It also helps maintain pregnancy after implantation, up to 10 weeks.

Crinone, a vaginal gel, is also used in ART for women who need progesterone supplementation or replacement. Crinone 4% (and Crinone 8% if needed) is also used for secondary amenorrhea, meaning periods have stopped in a woman who previously had them.

See full Progesterone Vaginal drug information
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
922 Moderate 1,907 No 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.

See the full Propolis interactions page
See every supplement checked against Progesterone (prescription drug), ranked by severity
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

Keep exploring
Propolis monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Progesterone (prescription drug) supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Progesterone (prescription drug), ranked by severity Progesterone Vaginal drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Propolis and Progesterone (prescription drug) Together: Common Questions

Can you take Propolis with Progesterone (prescription drug)?
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 2 interactions listed for Propolis and Progesterone (prescription drug)?
Progesterone (prescription drug) 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 Progesterone (prescription drug) 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

Still Have a Question About Progesterone (prescription drug) and Propolis?

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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.