Drug & supplement interaction

Toothed Clubmoss + Protriptyline

Protriptyline brand name: Vivactil.

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

Toothed Clubmoss has a moderate interaction with Protriptyline. In animal models, toothed clubmoss and huperzine A, an active constituent of toothed clubmoss, reversed cognitive deficits induced by scopolamine.

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

Toothed Clubmoss and Protriptyline

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS

Why this applies to Protriptyline

Protriptyline falls under ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS — the group Toothed Clubmoss interacts with.

In animal models, toothed clubmoss and huperzine A, an active constituent of toothed clubmoss, reversed cognitive deficits induced by scopolamine. Theoretically, concurrent use of anticholinergic drugs and toothed clubmoss might decrease the effectiveness of toothed clubmoss or the anticholinergic drug.
Some anticholinergic drugs include atropine, benztropine (Cogentin), biperiden (Akineton), procyclidine (Kemadrin), and trihexyphenidyl (Artane).
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 simple version: huperzine A in toothed clubmoss works by boosting acetylcholine, a memory-related brain chemical. Protriptyline (Vivactil) does the opposite in one respect, it has anticholinergic activity, meaning it can blunt that same chemical. So the two can work against each other and may each become a little less effective. Practically, you might notice protriptyline's typical anticholinergic side effects like dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, or trouble urinating, while the clubmoss may not do as much for memory.

Keep this in perspective. This concern comes only from lab and animal studies, so it's theoretical, not proven in people. Still, since clubmoss products aren't well regulated, it's worth running it past your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.

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

Toothed Clubmoss Also Interacts With Other Medications

Toothed Clubmoss has 218 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Protriptyline one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 218 No known interaction 2,612 (incl. Protriptyline)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Toothed Clubmoss

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Toothed Clubmoss or Protriptyline

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

This page covers Toothed Clubmoss only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Protriptyline page lists 93 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Henbane (major), Lithium (major), Scopolia (major) and 5-htp (moderate).

By severity: 4 major · 71 moderate · 18 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Protriptyline page

“Protriptyline (Vivactil) is an older tricyclic antidepressant, and I read its supplement list with genuine care because so much of it piles onto what the drug already does. Four of the 93 ingredients on file rate major, and those deserve your attention before anything else.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Protriptyline interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 101 real supplement products containing Toothed Clubmoss, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Toothed Clubmoss. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Protriptyline too, on top of Toothed Clubmoss — 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 Toothed Clubmoss and Protriptyline 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 Toothed Clubmoss
Top half

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

29 days ago today
Medication Protriptyline
Top 25%

#594 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 Toothed Clubmoss

What is Toothed Clubmoss?

Toothed Clubmoss
  • Memory and cognitive support
  • Alzheimer's disease and dementia
  • General brain or 'nootropic' support
  • Inflammation and pain (traditional use)
  • Age-related memory loss

Toothed Clubmoss is a moss-like plant best known as the natural source of huperzine A, a compound studied mainly for memory and Alzheimer's disease. Some early research is promising, but the evidence is limited and the supplement is not well standardized or regulated, so quality between products varies. Because it can affect the nervous system, talk with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

Read the full Toothed Clubmoss monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Protriptyline

What Is Protriptyline Used For?

Brand name: Vivactil

Protriptyline Hydrochloride tablets are used to treat symptoms of mental depression in patients who are under close medical supervision. Because it has activating (energizing) properties rather than sedating ones, it may be especially useful for people with depression who feel withdrawn or have very low energy.

See full Protriptyline drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Toothed Clubmoss

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

0Major
218Moderate
0Minor
2,611No known interaction
218 Moderate 2,611 No interaction
Moderate

218 interactions

Showing 60 of 218 moderate interactions — see all 218 on the Toothed Clubmoss page.

No interaction 2,611 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,611 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Toothed Clubmoss list.

See the full Toothed Clubmoss interactions page
See every supplement checked against Protriptyline, 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
Toothed Clubmoss monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Protriptyline supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Protriptyline, ranked by severity Protriptyline 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 Toothed Clubmoss and Protriptyline Together: Common Questions

Can you take Toothed Clubmoss with Protriptyline?
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.
How serious is the Toothed Clubmoss and Protriptyline 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 Protriptyline and Toothed Clubmoss?

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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.