Drug & supplement interaction

Puravive + Paclitaxel

Paclitaxel brand names: Taxol, Abraxane.

Minor Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated February 2024
The bottom line Minor

Paclitaxel falls into 3 drug categories that Puravive can interact with; the most serious is rated minor. Puravive contains Panax ginseng. Panax ginseng has the potential to affect the breakdown of drugs that are metabolized by an enzyme called CYP3A4.

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

Puravive and Paclitaxel

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

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

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

Minor

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

1 of 3

Why this applies to Paclitaxel

Paclitaxel falls under Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates — the group Puravive interacts with.

Puravive contains Panax ginseng. Panax ginseng has the potential to affect the breakdown of drugs that are metabolized by an enzyme called CYP3A4. One example of such a drug is imatinib. There was a case where imatinib was thought to have caused liver damage, and it was believed that this might have been due to Panax ginseng inhibiting CYP3A4, which is involved in imatinib's metabolism (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20332334/). On the other hand, Panax ginseng has been found to increase the breakdown of another drug called midazolam, which is also metabolized by CYP3A4 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21646440/), suggesting Panax ginseng induces CYP3A4 in some cases (i.e., makes more potent). Given these contradictory findings, it is important to use Panax ginseng cautiously if you are taking medications that are metabolized by CYP3A4, as the interaction between Panax ginseng and these drugs is not fully understood.
Severity Minor 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 deal with mixing Puravive and your paclitaxel (Taxol or Abraxane) chemo. Puravive contains Panax ginseng, which can nudge a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. That same enzyme helps clear paclitaxel from your body. The tricky part is that ginseng has gone both ways in studies, sometimes slowing this enzyme down and sometimes speeding it up, so we honestly can't predict which would happen here.

If it slowed clearance, paclitaxel could build up and worsen side effects like low blood counts, nerve tingling, or fatigue. If it sped things up, the chemo might work less well. This is rated a minor, theoretical concern with weak evidence, but cancer drugs aren't the place to gamble. Please run this by your oncologist or pharmacist before adding Puravive.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
Minor

Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide Substrates (Oatp)

2 of 3

Paclitaxel also falls under Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide Substrates (Oatp).

Puravive contains quercetin. The simultaneous use of quercetin and OATP substrates (the drug in question in this interaction is reported to be an OATP substrate) may theoretically enhance their effects and adverse effects. In vitro studies indicate that quercetin can inhibit the uptake of estrone-3-sulfate and pravastatin, which are transported by OATP 1B1. Clinical research in healthy males demonstrates that co-administration of quercetin and pravastatin increases the area under the curve (AUC) of pravastatin by 24%, prolongs its half-life by 14%, and reduces its apparent clearance by 18% (source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22114872/). Overall, quercetin may increase the risk of side effects of drugs that are OATP substrates when taken together.
Severity Minor Likelihood Possible Evidence C

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 gist. Puravive contains quercetin, a plant compound that can gently block a transporter protein called OATP, which helps move certain drugs into and out of your cells. Paclitaxel is handled in part by these transporters, so in theory quercetin could slow its clearance and let a little more linger in your system. That could nudge up the usual paclitaxel side effects, things like tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, low blood counts, fatigue, or hair loss.

I want to be honest about how soft this evidence is. The concern comes from lab and small studies on other drugs, not paclitaxel itself, and it's rated minor. Still, chemo is serious business, so please don't add Puravive without first clearing it with your oncology team.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
Minor

P-Glycoprotein Substrates

3 of 3

Paclitaxel also falls under P-Glycoprotein Substrates.

Puravive contains quercetin. Theoretically, concurrent use of quercetin and P-glycoprotein substrates might alter the effects and adverse effects of the drugs. There is preliminary evidence suggesting that quercetin inhibits the P-glycoprotein efflux pump in the gastrointestinal tract. This inhibition could potentially increase the bioavailability and serum levels of drugs transported by this pump. For example, a small study in healthy volunteers found that pretreatment with quercetin increased bioavailability and plasma levels following a single dose of cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) (source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15581264/). However, other small studies have shown that quercetin might decrease the absorption of talinolol, another substrate of the gastrointestinal P-glycoprotein efflux pump. Interestingly, several days of quercetin treatment did not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of saquinavir (Invirase) in another small study (source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16945047/). The reason for these discrepancies is not entirely clear. Until more is known, it is advisable to use quercetin cautiously in combination with P-glycoprotein substrates.
Severity Minor Likelihood Possible Evidence C

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. Puravive contains quercetin, and there's some early lab and small-study evidence that quercetin can block a pump in your body called P-glycoprotein. Paclitaxel rides on that same pump, so in theory, blocking it could let a bit more of the drug stay in your system. Paclitaxel is not a prodrug, so more drug around would mean stronger effects and a higher chance of its usual side effects, like low blood counts, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet (neuropathy), hair loss, and fatigue.

That said, this is mostly theoretical, the evidence is weak, and quercetin's effects have gone both directions in different studies. Still, paclitaxel is serious chemotherapy, so I would not add Puravive without first clearing it with your oncology team or pharmacist.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction

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

Puravive Also Interacts With Other Medications

Puravive has 357 moderate, 880 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Paclitaxel one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 357 Minor 880 No known interaction 1,593 (incl. Paclitaxel)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Puravive

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Puravive or Paclitaxel

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

This page covers Puravive only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Paclitaxel page lists 152 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 · 108 moderate · 39 minor.

Open the Paclitaxel interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Puravive and Paclitaxel 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 Puravive
Top half

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

29 days ago today
Medication Paclitaxel
Steady interest

#1,976 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 Puravive

What is Puravive?

Puravive
  • Weight management
  • Metabolism support
  • Energy levels
  • General wellness
  • Stress and brain health

Puravive is a branded, multi-ingredient capsule marketed mainly for weight loss by claiming to boost brown fat activity, but there is no published, independent clinical research showing the product itself works for this purpose. Some individual ingredients have been studied in laboratory or small human studies, but those results do not prove the finished blend is safe or effective. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before trying it, especially if you have health conditions or take medications.

Read the full Puravive monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Paclitaxel (with albumin) Injection

What Is Paclitaxel (with albumin) Injection Used For?

Brand names: Taxol, Abraxane

Paclitaxel Protein-Bound Particles for Injectable Suspension (Albumin-Bound) is used to treat three types of cancer. It treats metastatic breast cancer in patients whose prior chemotherapy has stopped working or who relapsed within 6 months of completing adjuvant (post-surgery) chemotherapy. It is also used as a first-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) — given together with carboplatin — in patients who cannot have surgery or radiation therapy.

Additionally, it is approved as a first-line treatment for metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, given in combination with gemcitabine. All three uses apply specifically to Paclitaxel Protein-Bound Particles for Injectable Suspension (Albumin-Bound), including the brands Abraxane and related albumin-bound formulations.

See full Paclitaxel (with albumin) Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Puravive

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

0Major
357Moderate
880Minor
1,592No known interaction
357 Moderate 880 Minor 1,592 No interaction
Moderate

357 interactions

Showing 60 of 357 moderate interactions — see all 357 on the Puravive page.

Minor

880 interactions

Showing 60 of 880 minor interactions — see all 880 on the Puravive page.

No interaction 1,592 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,592 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Puravive list.

See the full Puravive interactions page
See every supplement checked against Paclitaxel, 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
Puravive monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Paclitaxel supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Paclitaxel, ranked by severity Paclitaxel (with albumin) Injection 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 Puravive and Paclitaxel Together: Common Questions

Can you take Puravive with Paclitaxel?
There is only a minor interaction, which is usually not serious. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Puravive and Paclitaxel?
Paclitaxel belongs to more than one drug category, and Puravive 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 Puravive and Paclitaxel interaction?
We rate it Minor. This interaction is generally not clinically significant, but it remains worth noting and discussing with your pharmacist.

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

Still Have a Question About Paclitaxel and Puravive?

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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.