Rooibos + Amitriptyline, Perphenazine
Amitriptyline, Perphenazine brand names: Triavil, Etrafon, Etrafon-A, Etrafon-Forte.
Amitriptyline, Perphenazine falls into 5 drug categories that Rooibos can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, taking rooibos with CYP2C19 substrates may increase the effects of CYP2C19 substrates.
Read the full interaction reportRooibos and Amitriptyline, Perphenazine
These two interact in 5 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 5 Interactions?
Rooibos interacts with whole categories of medication. Amitriptyline, Perphenazine falls into 5 of those categories, so it can interact with Rooibos in 5 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).
CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES
1 of 5Why this applies to Amitriptyline, Perphenazine
Amitriptyline, Perphenazine falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) SUBSTRATES — the group Rooibos interacts with.
In vitro research shows that the methanol extract of rooibos leaves and stems strongly inhibits CYP2C19 enzyme activity.
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.
This combination pill pairs amitriptyline (an older antidepressant) with perphenazine (an antipsychotic). Amitriptyline is partly handled by a liver enzyme called CYP2C19. In test-tube studies, a concentrated rooibos extract slowed that enzyme down. In theory, blocking it could let amitriptyline build up a bit, which might mean more of its usual side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, dizziness on standing, or a faster heartbeat.
Here's the reassuring part: this is based only on lab work, not on people, so it's a weak, theoretical concern. A cup or two of rooibos tea is very unlikely to cause trouble. If you're using concentrated rooibos extracts, just check with your pharmacist or doctor first.
- Fantoukh OI, Dale OR, Parveen A, et al. Safety Assessment of Phytochemicals Derived from the Globalized South African Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis) through Interaction with CYP, PXR, and P-gp. J Agric Food Chem. 2019;67(17):4967-4975.
CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES
2 of 5Amitriptyline, Perphenazine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES.
In vitro research shows that the methanol extract of rooibos leaves and stems inhibits CYP1A2 enzyme activity.
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.
Here's the situation with Triavil (the combination of amitriptyline and perphenazine) and rooibos tea. Your liver uses an enzyme called CYP1A2 to help clear these medicines from your body. In lab dish studies, a concentrated rooibos extract slowed that enzyme down a bit. If that held true in people, your body might clear the drug a little more slowly, letting more of it build up.
In plain terms, that could mean stronger versions of the usual effects: extra drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, or blurry vision. But I want to be honest with you, this is only a theoretical concern based on test-tube data, not real patients, and a normal cup of tea is far weaker than an extract. Enjoy your tea, but check with your pharmacist before using concentrated rooibos supplements.
- Fantoukh OI, Dale OR, Parveen A, et al. Safety Assessment of Phytochemicals Derived from the Globalized South African Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis) through Interaction with CYP, PXR, and P-gp. J Agric Food Chem. 2019;67(17):4967-4975.
CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES
3 of 5Amitriptyline, Perphenazine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) SUBSTRATES.
In vitro research shows that the methanol extract of rooibos leaves and stems inhibits CYP2D6 enzyme activity.
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.
Both medicines in Triavil, the antidepressant amitriptyline and the antipsychotic perphenazine, lean on a liver enzyme called CYP2D6 to be cleared from your body. Test-tube research hints that rooibos may slow that enzyme down. If that happened in real life, the medication could linger a bit longer and its effects could feel stronger.
In practice that might mean more drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness when standing, or a faster heartbeat. Here's the reassuring part: this is only laboratory evidence, not something proven in people, and a normal cup or two of rooibos tea is very unlikely to cause trouble. Concentrated extracts are the bigger unknown. If you use those, just check with your pharmacist or doctor first.
- Fantoukh OI, Dale OR, Parveen A, et al. Safety Assessment of Phytochemicals Derived from the Globalized South African Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis) through Interaction with CYP, PXR, and P-gp. J Agric Food Chem. 2019;67(17):4967-4975.
CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES
4 of 5Amitriptyline, Perphenazine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES.
In vitro research shows that the methanol extract of rooibos leaves and stems inhibits CYP2C9 enzyme activity.
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.
Here's the gist for your Triavil (a combo of amitriptyline and perphenazine): rooibos has been shown, but only in test-tube studies, to mildly block a liver enzyme called CYP2C9. This combo medication is partly cleared by that enzyme, so in theory rooibos could slow its breakdown and let a little more build up. If that happened, you might notice stronger versions of the usual effects, things like drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness on standing, or blurred vision.
That said, this is very early lab evidence, not something proven in people. A cup or two of rooibos tea is unlikely to cause trouble for most folks. If you're using concentrated rooibos extracts, just run it past your pharmacist or doctor first.
- Fantoukh OI, Dale OR, Parveen A, et al. Safety Assessment of Phytochemicals Derived from the Globalized South African Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis) through Interaction with CYP, PXR, and P-gp. J Agric Food Chem. 2019;67(17):4967-4975.
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES
5 of 5Amitriptyline, Perphenazine also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.
In vitro research shows that the methanol extract of rooibos leaves and stems strongly inhibits CYP3A4 enzyme activity.
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.
This combo pill pairs amitriptyline (an older antidepressant) with perphenazine (an antipsychotic). Both rely partly on liver enzymes, including CYP3A4, to be broken down and cleared from your body. The concern here is that compounds in rooibos may slow that CYP3A4 enzyme, so in theory these medicines could clear a little slower and build up. That might mean stronger side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, dizziness on standing, or a faster heartbeat.
Here's the reassuring part: this is based only on lab (test tube) research, not real people, so we honestly don't know if a cup of rooibos tea does anything noticeable. As a beverage it's likely fine for most folks, but concentrated rooibos extracts are a bigger unknown. If you're using those, check with your pharmacist or doctor first.
- Fantoukh OI, Dale OR, Parveen A, et al. Safety Assessment of Phytochemicals Derived from the Globalized South African Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis) through Interaction with CYP, PXR, and P-gp. J Agric Food Chem. 2019;67(17):4967-4975.
What These Ratings Mean
Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.
Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.
Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.
Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.
- 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.
- 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.
Rooibos Also Interacts With Other Medications
Rooibos has 878 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Amitriptyline, Perphenazine one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.
Check Another of Your Medications Against Rooibos
We haven’t checked that one against Rooibos yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Rooibos. Pick one to open its full report.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Amitriptyline, Perphenazine
This page covers Rooibos only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Amitriptyline, Perphenazine page lists 311 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.
The most serious there right now: 1,4-butanediol (major), Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), Arsenic (major) and Beer (major).
By severity: 19 major · 235 moderate · 57 minor.
From our pharmacist’s overview on the Amitriptyline, Perphenazine page
“Alcohol is the risk I'd flag first for anyone taking amitriptyline with perphenazine (Triavil, Etrafon). Beer and wine both carry major ratings here, and 78 of the 311 ingredients on file deepen the drowsiness this antidepressant and antipsychotic combination already causes, sometimes to the point of slowed breathing.”
Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026
Taking Rooibos as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions
We hold 142 real supplement products containing Rooibos, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Rooibos. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Amitriptyline, Perphenazine too, on top of Rooibos — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:
Where Rooibos and Amitriptyline, Perphenazine 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.
#525 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#1,088 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days
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.
About Rooibos
What is Rooibos?
- Caffeine-free beverage
- Antioxidant support
- Heart health
- Blood sugar support
- Digestive upset
- General wellness
Rooibos is a caffeine-free herbal tea from South Africa that is rich in antioxidants and generally considered safe as a beverage. While lab and early studies suggest possible benefits for heart health, blood sugar, and inflammation, strong human evidence is lacking for most medical uses. Enjoy it as a tea, but talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using concentrated extracts for health reasons.
Other Drugs & Rooibos
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Rooibos — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
878 interactions
- Diclofenac Sodium ›
- Diltiazem ›
- Theophylline ›
- Nifedipine ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Hydrocortisone ›
- Naproxen ›
- Erythromycin ›
- Estradiol ›
- Propranolol ›
- Lidocaine ›
- Norethindrone ›
- Testosterone ›
- Verapamil ›
- Levonorgestrel ›
- Prednisone ›
- Quinidine ›
- Cyclosporine ›
- Dexamethasone ›
- Glyburide ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Colchicine ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Flurbiprofen ›
- Oxybutynin ›
- Oxycodone ›
- Phenytoin ›
- Prednisolone ›
- Tacrolimus ›
- Temazepam ›
- Budesonide ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Clindamycin ›
- Dextromethorphan ›
- Diclofenac Potassium ›
- Doxorubicin ›
- Fluticasone ›
- Formoterol ›
- Indomethacin ›
- Miconazole ›
- Morphine Sulfate ›
- Trimipramine ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Buprenorphine ›
- Conjugated Estrogens ›
- Diazepam ›
- Everolimus ›
- Ivabradine ›
- Lofepramine ›
- Medroxyprogesterone ›
- Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ›
- Meloxicam ›
- Nortriptyline ›
- Propoxyphene ›
- Rifampin ›
- Testosterone Undecanoate ›
- Aripiprazole ›
- Bendamustine ›
Showing 60 of 878 moderate interactions — see all 878 on the Rooibos page.
No interaction 1,951 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked Rooibos against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Levothyroxine ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Aspirin ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Rosuvastatin ›
- Escitalopram ›
- Docusate ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Semaglutide ›
- Tirzepatide ›
- Bupropion ›
- Metformin ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Mannitol ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Roxithromycin ›
- Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine ›
- Pegunigalsidase Alfa-iwxj ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Hexobarbitone ›
- Levothyroxine Sodium ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Levetiracetam ›
- Spironolactone ›
- Factor 7a ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Minoxidil ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Levodopa ›
- Phentermine, Topiramate ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Cefaclor ›
- Lenvatinib ›
- Phenylephrine ›
- Vancomycin ›
- Hethylphenidate Hcl ›
- Dirithromycin ›
- Pentobarbitone ›
- Bentoquatam ›
- Amoxicillin, Clavulanate Potassium ›
- Procainamide ›
- Hydroxychloroquine ›
- Tenecteplase ›
- Digoxin ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,951 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Rooibos list.
Sources & How We Checked
Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for vitamins, herbs and supplements — the basis for our interaction data.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for the medication overviews.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — Official supplement product labels.
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
Amitriptyline, Perphenazine Is Linked to Lower Levels of 3 Nutrients
Natural Medicines records Amitriptyline, Perphenazine as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Rooibos — it is a separate effect of the medicine, and it is a reason some people are advised to supplement rather than to avoid one:
Read the full Amitriptyline, Perphenazine nutrient depletion report ›
Depletion records come from the licensed Natural Medicines database. Do not start a supplement on the strength of this page — ask your pharmacist or doctor whether it applies to you.
Taking Rooibos and Amitriptyline, Perphenazine Together: Common Questions
Can you take Rooibos with Amitriptyline, Perphenazine?
Why are there 5 interactions listed for Rooibos and Amitriptyline, Perphenazine?
How serious is the Rooibos and Amitriptyline, Perphenazine interaction?
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.