Herb & supplement monograph

Brickellia Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by ·Updated June 2026
What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Brickellia interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Brickellia is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Brickellia is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Brickellia Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, the overall risk of a clinically significant Brickellia drug interaction appears low for most people, though those taking diabetes medications should be more careful. None of the listed interactions are rated major, and all of them trace back to a single theoretical concern that has only been studied in animals.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The one group that stands out is diabetes medications, including insulin, glyburide, glimepiride, and pioglitazone. Animal research suggests Brickellia may lower blood sugar on its own, so combining it with these drugs could, in theory, push blood sugar too low. Because blood sugar is a closely watched target, people using these medicines should keep an eye out for signs of low blood sugar, such as shakiness or sweating, if they add Brickellia.

What the rest of the list means

Although dozens of medications appear on this interaction list, they all reflect the same single concern about blood sugar. That concern comes from early animal studies, not human trials, so it remains theoretical. For people not taking diabetes medications, no documented interactions have been reported.

Check your medications against Brickellia

Based on HelloPharmacist’s Brickellia interaction data and reviewed under our editorial standards.

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Brickellia

86 medications have a known interaction with Brickellia, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

2,830 drugs
AcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose› AcetohexamideDymelor› AlbiglutideTanzeum› AlogliptinNesina› Alogliptin, MetforminKazano› Alogliptin, PioglitazoneOseni› Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) InhibitorGlyxambi› CanagliflozinInvokana› Canagliflozin, MetforminInvokamet› Canagliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideInvokamet XR› ChlorpropamideChlorpropam, Diabinese› DapagliflozinFarxiga› Dapagliflozin Propanediol, MetforminXigduo XR› Dapagliflozin Propanediol, Saxagliptin HydrochlorideQtern› Dapagliflozin, Metformin Hydrochloride, Saxagliptin HydrochlorideQternmet XR› Dasiglucagon HydrochlorideZegalogue› DulaglutideTrulicity› EmpagliflozinJardiance› Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, Metformin HydrochlorideTrijardy XR› Empagliflozin, MetforminSynjardy› Empagliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideSynjardy XR› ErtugliflozinSteglatro› Ertugliflozin, Metformin HydrochlorideSegluromet› ExenatideBydureon, Byetta› Exenatide SyntheticBydureon BCISE› GliclazideDiamicron› GlimepirideAmaryl› GlipizideGlucotrol, Glucotrol XL› Glipizide, MetforminMetaglip› GlucagonBaqsimi, Glucagon›
Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

  • Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
  • Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
  • Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
  • No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

  • Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
  • Probable. Interaction 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.
  • Possible. 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
  • Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

  • Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
  • Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Brickellia combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
The big picture

The kinds of drugs Brickellia affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Brickellia is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 1 drug category Brickellia interacts with
Antidiabetes Drugs
Antidiabetes Drugs

Preliminary research in animal models shows that brickellia and its constituents have hypoglycemic effects. Theoretically, taking brickellia with drugs that decrease blood glucose levels might increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Some antidiabetes drugs include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Monograph

Brickellia: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed June 2026 ·
The bottom line

Brickellia, often sold under names like 'prodigiosa' or as a Mexican folk remedy for diabetes, is a plant in the daisy family traditionally brewed as a tea. Scientific evidence in humans is very limited, so its effectiveness and long-term safety are not well established. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, especially if you take medicines for blood sugar.

Scientific name
Brickellia grandiflora
Family
Asteraceae
Part used
Leaves and flowering tops
Common forms
Tea (infusion), dried herb, tincture, capsules
People commonly use it for
  • Blood sugar support (diabetes)
  • Digestive complaints
  • Gallbladder and bile flow
  • Colds and fever

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance
OverallLimited data

Human safety data are very limited, so use cautiously and under professional guidance.

PregnancyBest avoided

Not enough safety information exists, so it is best avoided during pregnancy.

BreastfeedingBest avoided

Safety while breastfeeding is unknown, so it is best avoided.

Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Jump to a section

Overview

Brickellia is a group of flowering plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae). Several species grow in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America, often in dry, rocky, or mountainous areas.

In traditional Mexican and southwestern herbal medicine, certain Brickellia species — sometimes sold under folk names such as prodigiosa or hierba del becerro — are dried and brewed into a bitter tea. People have used this tea for many years, especially as a home remedy for blood sugar problems and digestion.

Today you may find it as a loose dried herb, a tea, a tincture, or in capsules. Because product names and species can vary, it is not always clear exactly which plant is in a given product.

Uses & effectiveness

Brickellia is most often used as a folk remedy for diabetes or high blood sugar. It is also used traditionally for upset stomach, sluggish digestion, gallbladder complaints, and fevers or colds.

The evidence behind these uses is weak. Most of what is known comes from traditional use and a small amount of laboratory or animal research. There are very few, if any, good-quality human clinical trials. This means we cannot say with confidence that Brickellia works for any health condition, or how well it compares to standard treatments.

If you are considering Brickellia for diabetes, it is important not to replace prescribed medicine with it. Self-treating a serious condition like diabetes can be dangerous.

How it works

Brickellia plants contain natural compounds such as flavonoids and bitter substances that may affect digestion and possibly blood sugar. Some laboratory studies suggest certain plant extracts in this family may influence how the body handles sugar, but this is far from proven in people.

The bitter taste of the tea is thought to stimulate digestive juices and bile flow, which is the traditional reasoning behind its use for stomach and gallbladder complaints.

It is important to understand that these proposed mechanisms are mostly based on test-tube and animal research, not solid human studies. The exact active compounds and how they work in the human body are not well understood.

Safety & precautions

Because there is so little research, the overall safety of Brickellia in humans is not well established. Plants in the daisy (Asteraceae) family can cause allergic reactions in some people, especially those allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies.

People with diabetes should be especially careful, since the herb may affect blood sugar and could add to the effects of diabetes medicines. People with gallbladder disease, bile duct blockage, or liver problems should avoid it unless a doctor says otherwise.

For pregnancy and breastfeeding, there is not enough safety information. To be safe, Brickellia should be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. It should also not be given to infants or young children.

Always tell your pharmacist or doctor about any herbal products you use.

Side effects

Reported side effects are not well documented because of limited research. Possible effects, based on the herb's bitter and digestive properties, may include stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea.

Allergic reactions are possible, especially in people sensitive to other plants in the daisy family. Signs of a serious allergic reaction — such as rash, swelling, trouble breathing, or dizziness — require emergency medical care.

If you have diabetes and use Brickellia, watch for symptoms of low blood sugar (shakiness, sweating, confusion), and stop using it and contact your healthcare provider if these occur.

Dosing

There is no established standardized dose for Brickellia. Traditional use is usually as a tea made from the dried leaves and flowering tops, but the strength of homemade preparations varies widely.

If you choose to use a commercial product, follow the directions on the label and do not exceed them. Because product quality and the exact species can vary, it is wise to choose a reputable brand and to check with a pharmacist or doctor before starting.

Do not use Brickellia as a substitute for prescribed medicine, and do not give it to children.

References & further reading

The 5 references that drive our Brickellia monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Rosler KH, Goodwin RS, Mabry TJ, et al. Flavonoids with anti-cataract activity from Brickellia arguta. J Nat Prod 1984;47:316-9. PubMed
  2. Andrade-Cetto A, Heinrich M. Mexican plants with hypoglycaemic effect used in the treatment of diabetes. J Ethnopharmacol 2005;99:325-48. PubMed
  3. Perez RM, Cervantes H, Zavala MA, et al. Isolation and hypoglycemic activity of 5, 7,3'-trihydroxy-3,6,4'-trimethoxyflavone from Brickellia veronicaefolia. Phytomedicine 2000;7:25-9.
  4. Escandón-Rivera S, González-Andrade M, Bye R, Linares E, Navarrete A, Mata R. α-glucosidase inhibitors from Brickellia cavanillesii. J Nat Prod. 2012;75(5):968-74.
  5. Palacios-Espinosa F, Déciga-Campos M, Mata R. Antinociceptive, hypoglycemic and spasmolytic effects of Brickellia veronicifolia. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008;118(3):448-54. PubMed
Keep reading

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.

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

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Brickellia: Common Questions

Does Brickellia interact with prescription medications?
Yes. We list 86 medications with a known interaction with Brickellia. Use the checker above to see how Brickellia interacts with a specific drug.
How are Brickellia interactions rated?
Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.
Is it safe to take Brickellia with my medications?
It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.
Where does this Brickellia interaction information come from?
Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.
What is Brickellia used for?
It is most often used as a traditional remedy for blood sugar problems and digestion, and sometimes for colds or fever. These uses come from folk medicine, and strong scientific proof that it works is lacking.
Is Brickellia safe to take?
Its safety in humans is not well studied. People with diabetes, allergies to daisy-family plants, or gallbladder or liver problems should be especially cautious and talk to a healthcare provider first.
Can I use Brickellia during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No reliable safety information exists for these situations, so it is best to avoid Brickellia during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Can Brickellia replace my diabetes medicine?
No. There is not enough evidence that it controls blood sugar, and stopping prescribed medicine can be dangerous. Never replace your diabetes treatment without talking to your doctor.

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

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