Drug & supplement interaction

Rhodiola + Macitentan, Tadalafil

Macitentan, Tadalafil brand name: Opsynvi.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Macitentan, Tadalafil falls into 3 drug categories that Rhodiola can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, taking rhodiola with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.

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

Rhodiola and Macitentan, Tadalafil

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

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

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

Moderate

ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS

1 of 3

Why this applies to Macitentan, Tadalafil

Macitentan, Tadalafil falls under ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS — the group Rhodiola interacts with.

Theoretically, taking rhodiola with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
In vitro and animal research shows that rhodiola extract inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and might lower blood pressure.
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

Opsynvi combines two medicines that already lower blood pressure: macitentan (which relaxes blood vessels in the lungs) and tadalafil (the same active ingredient as Cialis, which also widens vessels). Rhodiola isn't a big player here, but lab and animal studies hint it may nudge blood pressure down a little too. Stacked on top of Opsynvi, the theoretical worry is that your blood pressure could dip lower than intended.

In real life you'd notice this as dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, flushing, or feeling faint when you stand up. Keep in mind the evidence for Rhodiola's effect is weak (mostly test-tube and animal data), so this may never cause you trouble. Still, since Opsynvi is a serious medicine, please check with your pharmacist or doctor before adding Rhodiola rather than starting it on your own.

References
  1. Kwon YI, Jang HD, Shetty K. Evaluation of Rhodiola crenulata and Rhodiola rosea for management of type II diabetes and hypertension. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2006;15:425-32.
  2. Apostolidis E, Kwon YI, Shetty K. Potential of cranberry-based herbal synergies for diabetes and hypertension management. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2006;15:433-41.
Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES

2 of 3

Macitentan, Tadalafil also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, rhodiola might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
In vitro research shows that rhodiola inhibits CYP2C9. This effect is highly variable and appears to be dependent on the rhodiola product studied. Also, a clinical study in healthy young males found that taking rhodiola extract 290 mg daily for 14 days reduces the metabolism of losartan, a CYP2C9 substrate, by 21% after 4 hours.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence B

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 short version for Opsynvi, which combines macitentan and tadalafil. Rhodiola may block a liver enzyme called CYP2C9, and some of these medicines pass through that pathway. In plain terms, if rhodiola slows the breakdown, the drug could build up a little in your body and push its effects harder. For this combo that might mean more low blood pressure symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, flushing, headache, or a stuffy nose.

Now, keep it in perspective. This is mostly theoretical, based on lab work and one small study where rhodiola lowered clearance of a similar drug by about 21%. That's a modest, not dramatic, change. Still, because blood pressure is already the target here, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before adding rhodiola. Don't change your medicine on your own.

References
  1. Thu OK, Nilsen OG, Hellum B. In vitro inhibition of cytochrome P-450 activities and quantification of constituents in a selection of commercial Rhodiola rosea products. Pharm Bio. 2016 Dec;54(12):3249-3256.
  2. Thu OK, Spigset O, Nilsen OG, Hellum B. Effect of commercial Rhodiola rosea on CYP enzyme activity in humans. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2016 Mar;72(3):295-300. PubMed
  3. Woron J, Siwek M. Unwanted effects of psychotropic drug interactions with medicinal products and diet supplements containing plant extracts. Psychiatr Pol 2018;52(6):983-96. PubMed
Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

3 of 3

Macitentan, Tadalafil also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, rhodiola might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro research shows that rhodiola inhibits CYP3A4. This effect is highly variable and appears to be dependent on the rhodiola product studied. However, a clinical study in healthy young males found that taking rhodiola extract 290 mg daily for 14 days does not inhibit the metabolism of midazolam, a CYP3A4 substrate.
Severity Minor Likelihood Possible Evidence B

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

Opsynvi combines macitentan and tadalafil, and both are cleared in part by a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. In lab (test tube) studies, rhodiola has slowed this enzyme down. In theory, that could let these two drugs build up a bit, which might mean more of tadalafil's usual effects like headache, flushing, a stuffy nose, dizziness, or an upset stomach, along with the lower blood pressure that comes with these medicines.

Here's the reassuring part: this is mostly theoretical, the effect varies a lot between products, and a human study found rhodiola did not actually block CYP3A4 as expected. So real-world risk looks low. Still, since Opsynvi affects blood pressure, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before adding rhodiola.

References
  1. Hellum BH, Tosse A, Hoybakk K, et al. Potent in vitro inhibition of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein by Rhodiola rosea. Planta Med 2010;76:331-8.
  2. Thu OK, Nilsen OG, Hellum B. In vitro inhibition of cytochrome P-450 activities and quantification of constituents in a selection of commercial Rhodiola rosea products. Pharm Bio. 2016 Dec;54(12):3249-3256.
  3. Thu OK, Spigset O, Nilsen OG, Hellum B. Effect of commercial Rhodiola rosea on CYP enzyme activity in humans. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2016 Mar;72(3):295-300. 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

Rhodiola Also Interacts With Other Medications

Rhodiola has 623 moderate, 647 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Macitentan, Tadalafil 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 Rhodiola

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Rhodiola or Macitentan, Tadalafil

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

This page covers Rhodiola only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Macitentan, Tadalafil page lists 264 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), American Mistletoe (major), Beer (major) and Grapefruit (major).

By severity: 10 major · 215 moderate · 39 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Macitentan, Tadalafil page

“Opsynvi pairs macitentan and tadalafil to lower pressure in the lung arteries, so anything that drops blood pressure further or shifts how the body handles these drugs deserves genuine respect, and I would read this list carefully. Ten of the 264 ingredients rate major, and most of the rest fall into two camps: additive blood-pressure-…”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Macitentan, Tadalafil interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 2,713 real supplement products containing Rhodiola, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Rhodiola. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Macitentan, Tadalafil too, on top of Rhodiola — 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 Rhodiola and Macitentan, Tadalafil 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 Rhodiola
Top 5%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Macitentan, Tadalafil
Steady interest

#2,099 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 Rhodiola

What is Rhodiola?

Rhodiola
  • Fatigue and low energy
  • Stress and coping (adaptogen)
  • Mental performance and focus
  • Mild depression
  • Physical and exercise performance

Rhodiola is an herb traditionally used to fight fatigue and help the body cope with stress. Some small studies suggest it may modestly reduce fatigue and improve mood, but the evidence is limited and not strong. It is generally well tolerated for short-term use, but talk to your pharmacist or doctor before trying it, and avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Read the full Rhodiola monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Rhodiola

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

0Major
623Moderate
647Minor
1,559No known interaction
Moderate

623 interactions

Showing 60 of 623 moderate interactions — see all 623 on the Rhodiola page.

Minor

647 interactions

Showing 60 of 647 minor interactions — see all 647 on the Rhodiola page.

No interaction 1,559 drugs checked — show the 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 Rhodiola and Macitentan, Tadalafil Together: Common Questions

Can you take Rhodiola with Macitentan, Tadalafil?
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 Rhodiola and Macitentan, Tadalafil?
Macitentan, Tadalafil belongs to more than one drug category, and Rhodiola 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 Rhodiola and Macitentan, Tadalafil 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.