Herb & supplement monograph

Eleuthero Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS ·Updated July 2026

What is this page for?

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

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Eleuthero 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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Eleuthero 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 Eleuthero drug interaction appears low for most people. None of the listed interactions are rated major, and most rest on lab or animal findings rather than proven effects in people.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The best-supported concern involves diabetes medications, since a small human study found eleuthero lowered blood sugar over three months, which could add to the effect of these drugs, though another small study found the opposite in healthy people. Caution is also reasonable with blood thinners, because a component of eleuthero reduced platelet clumping in lab and animal research, and bleeding risk leaves little room for error. A single case report also described raised digoxin levels in a man taking eleuthero, which resolved when he stopped it.

What the rest of the list means

The long list of interacting medications looks worse than it is. Most entries are theoretical, based on how eleuthero might affect enzymes or transporters the body uses to clear medications. Notably, studies in healthy volunteers found that predicted effects on two major drug-clearing enzymes did not actually occur in people.

Check your medications against Eleuthero

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

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Eleuthero

1141 medications have a known interaction with Eleuthero, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

Don’t want to scroll the list? Just ask.

Tell us the medications you take and we’ll check each one against Eleuthero using our pharmacist-reviewed interaction data.

AI summaries are generated from our Eleuthero interaction data for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI

2,830 drugs

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 Eleuthero 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 Eleuthero affects

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

All 10 drug categories Eleuthero interacts with

Anticoagulant/antiplatelet DrugsAntidiabetes DrugsCytochrome P450 1a2 (cyp1a2) SubstratesCytochrome P450 2c9 (cyp2c9) SubstratesDigoxin (lanoxin)ImmunosuppressantsP-glycoprotein SubstratesCytochrome P450 2d6 (cyp2d6) SubstratesCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) SubstratesOrganic Anion-transporting Polypeptide Substrates (oatp)

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, eleuthero may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro and animal research shows that a constituent of eleuthero, dihydroxybenzoic acid, appears to inhibit platelet aggregation. Concomitant use with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs might increase the risk of bleeding. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, eleuthero might have additive effects when used with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that certain constituents of eleuthero have hypoglycemic activity in both healthy and diabetic animals. A small study in adults with type 2 diabetes also shows that taking eleuthero for 3 months can lower blood glucose levels. However, one very small study in healthy individuals shows that taking powdered eleuthero 3 grams, 40 minutes prior to a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test, significantly increases postprandial blood glucose levels when compared with placebo. These contradictory findings might be due to patient-specific variability and variability in active ingredient ratios.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B

Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, eleuthero might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
In vitro and animal research suggest that standardized extracts of eleuthero inhibit CYP1A2. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, eleuthero might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
In vitro and animal research suggest that standardized extracts of eleuthero might inhibit CYP2C9. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Eleuthero might increase serum digoxin levels and increase the risk of side effects.
In one case report, a 74-year-old male who was stabilized on digoxin presented with an elevated serum digoxin level after starting an eleuthero supplement, without symptoms of toxicity. After stopping the supplement, serum digoxin levels returned to normal. It is not clear whether this was due to a pharmacokinetic interaction or to interference with the digoxin assay. Although the product was found to be free of digoxin and digitoxin, it was not tested for other contaminants.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D

Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, eleuthero might interfere with immunosuppressive drugs because of its immunostimulant activity.
Animal and in vitro research shows that eleuthero extracts have immunomodulatory effects, including increasing cellular and humoral activity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Theoretically, eleuthero might increase levels of P-glycoprotein substrates.
In vitro research suggests that eleuthero can inhibit the multi-drug transporter protein, P-glycoprotein. However, it is too soon to tell if this is clinically important. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Theoretically, eleuthero might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
In vitro and animal research suggest that standardized extracts of eleuthero might inhibit CYP2D6. However, research in healthy human volunteers has found that taking eleuthero 485 mg twice daily for 14 days does not inhibit CYP2D6 drug metabolism.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, eleuthero might increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro and animal research suggest that standardized extracts of eleuthero might inhibit CYP3A4. However, research in healthy human volunteers has found that taking eleuthero 485 mg twice daily for 14 days does not inhibit CYP3A4 drug metabolism.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B

Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide Substrates (Oatp)

Theoretically, eleuthero might decrease levels of drugs metabolized by OATP.
In vitro research suggests that eleuthero inhibits OATP2B1, which might reduce the bioavailability of oral drugs that are substrates of OATP2B1. Due to the weak inhibitory effect identified in this study, this interaction is not likely to be clinically significant.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Monograph

Eleuthero: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Reviewed July 2026 ·

The bottom line

Eleuthero is an herb traditionally used as an 'adaptogen' to fight fatigue, boost energy, and help the body handle stress. The scientific evidence behind these uses is limited and mixed, so it should not replace proven treatments. It is generally well tolerated short-term, but pregnant and breastfeeding people and those with certain conditions should avoid it or check with a healthcare provider first.

Scientific name: Eleutherococcus senticosus
Family: Araliaceae
Part used: Root and rhizome (sometimes the stem bark)
Common forms: Capsules, tablets, dried root powder, liquid extracts (tinctures), and teas

People commonly use it for

Fatigue and low energy
Physical and athletic performance
Stress resistance (adaptogen)
Immune support
Mental focus and alertness

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

Safety at a glance

OverallUse caution

Often well tolerated for short-term use, but evidence on long-term safety is limited.

PregnancyInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full pregnancy detail

BreastfeedingInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

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Overview

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a shrub native to parts of eastern Asia, including Russia, China, Korea, and Japan. The root and rhizome are the parts most often used in supplements and traditional medicine.

Eleuthero is often called 'Siberian ginseng,' but it is not a true ginseng and is not the same as Panax ginseng. The 'ginseng' name comes from marketing and from its history of similar traditional uses, not from a close botanical relationship.

It is frequently labeled an 'adaptogen' — a term for herbs that are claimed to help the body resist physical and mental stress. People take it for energy, stamina, focus, and immune support, usually as capsules, teas, or liquid extracts.

How it works

Eleuthero contains a group of compounds called eleutherosides, along with polysaccharides and other plant chemicals. These are thought to be the main active ingredients.

Researchers believe these compounds may influence how the body responds to stress, possibly by affecting stress hormones and the immune system. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

It is important to know that much of this work comes from test-tube and animal research. How well these effects apply to people taking eleuthero supplements is not well established.

Effectiveness

Does Eleuthero work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD.

Evidence overview · 20 uses evaluated

1 Possibly effective 19 Insufficient evidence

How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.

2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.

3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.

4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.

5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.

6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.

7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.

Possibly Effective Genital herpes