White Mulberry - Chantix (Varenicline) Interaction
Herbal: White Mulberry
Also Known As: Morus alba, Chinese White Mulberry, Chin Sang, Common Mulberry, Egyptian Mulberry, Mora, Moral Blanco, Morera Blanca, Morin, Russian Mulberry, Silkworm Mulberry
Drug: Varenicline
Brand names:
Chantix, Champix, Tyrvaya
Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Jun 15, 2025
Interaction Details
Varenicline is classified as belonging to the following category: Organic Cation Transporter 2 (Oct2) Substrates
Theoretically, white mulberry leaf might slow the elimination and increase the adverse effects of drugs which are OCT2 substrates.
Animal research shows that coadministration of white mulberry leaf extract with metformin, an OCT2 substrate, slows the renal elimination of metformin via inhibition of OCT2 activity. OCT2 is expressed in the kidneys and is responsible for transporting cationic drugs into tubular epithelial cells in order to be excreted in the urine.
Interaction Rating
Likelihood of Occurrence
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
References
- Huh HW, Na YG, Bang KH, et al. Extended intake of mulberry leaf extract delayed metformin elimination via inhibiting the organic cation transporter 2. Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(1):49.
White Mulberry Overview
White mulberry (Morus alba) is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that is native to China but has been introduced to many other regions of the world. It is widely cultivated for its sweet and juicy berries, which are a rich source of vitamins and minerals.
In traditional medicine, white mulberry fruit, leaves, and bark have been used for a variety of purposes, including treating high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
It is important to note that white mulberry and black mulberry are different species of the same genus (Morus). White mulberry (Morus alba) is the most common type of mulberry, and it is native to China. Black mulberry (Morus nigra) is native to western Asia and has a darker fruit.
Varenicline Overview
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Varenicline is used along with education and counseling to help people stop smoking. Varenicline is in a class of medications called smoking cessation aids. It works by blocking the pleasant effects of nicotine (from smoking) on the brain.
White Mulberry - More Interactions
White Mulberry interacts with 85 drugs
Interaction Rating Key
These severity listings are for informational use only. Never start, stop or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.
| Major | The combined use of these agents is strongly discouraged as serious side effects or other negative outcomes could occur. |
| Moderate | Use cautiously under the care of a healthcare professional or avoid this combination. A significant interaction or negative outcome could occur. |
| Minor | Be aware that there is a chance of an interaction. Watch for warning signs of a potential interaction. |
| Unknown | No interactions have been reported or no interaction data is currently available. |
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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
Drug descriptions are provided by MedlinePlus.
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In addition to being a clinical pharmacist specializing in pharmacotherapy, Dr. Brian Staiger is a registered herbalist through the American Herbalist Guild. He has combined his passion for pharmacy practice with the study of medical ethnobotany to improve patient care. Feel free to reach out about any of your herbal or medication questions!
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