Herb & supplement monograph

Henbane Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

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

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

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Henbane 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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Henbane Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

From the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team · Updated July 2026

Based on the available evidence, Henbane drug interactions carry a real risk of being clinically significant, and this supplement deserves genuine caution for anyone taking prescription medications. Every interaction on record is rated major, and the concern is reasonably well documented rather than purely theoretical.

Interactions deserving the most attention

The core issue is that henbane has strong anticholinergic activity, so combining it with other anticholinergic drugs can stack the same side effects, such as dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, confusion, fast heart rate, and trouble urinating. This applies to a wide range of medicines, including tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, scopolamine, hyoscyamine, atropine, amantadine, phenothiazines, and procainamide. Because these additive effects are supported by human reports, we treat this as more than a paper concern.

What the rest of the list means

The long list of interacting medications does not reflect many different problems. It reflects one shared mechanism, since a surprising number of common medicines have anticholinergic properties and each of them can add to henbane's effects. That is why nearly everything on the list carries the same major rating rather than a mix of mild and serious concerns.

Check your medications against Henbane

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

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Henbane

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

195 major interactions. These combinations can be clinically significant — best avoided, or used only with close professional supervision. Always check with your pharmacist before combining them with Henbane.

2,830 drugs
AcepromazineAtravet› Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Chlorpheniramine, Hydrocodone, PhenylephrineHycomine Compound› Acetaminophen, Caffeine, PyrilamineMidol Max Strength Menstrual› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Dextromethorphan HbrVicks Formula 44M Cough, Cold & Flu Relief› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Codeine, PhenylephrineColrex› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, DextromethorphanCoricidin II Extra Strength Cold and Flu› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan HydrobromideCoricidin HBP Maximum Strength Flu› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, PhenylpropanolamineMulti Symptom Cold Relief› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Dextromethorphan, PseudoephedrineChildren's Tylenol Cold Plus Cough, Tylenol Cold Ex Strength› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine, SalicylamideRhinogesic GG› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, PhenylephrineAlka-Seltzer PLUS, Histex SR, Protid› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, SalicylamideRhinogesic, Rhinogesic JR› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, PhenylpropanolamineAlumadrine, Conex, Sinadrin Max Strength, Sinulin› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine, OpiumHista-Derfule› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine, PhenyltoloxamineNorel Plus› Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, PseudoephedrineAlka-Seltzer PLUS Liquid Gels, Children's Tylenol Cold, Codimal, Comtrex, Extra Strength Tylenol Allergy Sinus, Lorsin +3 more› Acetaminophen, Codeine, DoxylamineMersyndol› Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, PseudoephedrineVicks NyQuil› Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, PyrilamineTheracaps› Acetaminophen, DiphenhydramineTylenol PM, Tylenol PM Ex Strength› Acetaminophen, Diphenhydramine, PseudoephedrineChildren's Tylenol Allergy, Cold Control, Contac Night Allergy Relief› Acetaminophen, Doxylamine, PseudoephedrineEx Strength Tylenol Sinus Nighttime› Acetaminophen, Pamabrom, PyrilamineMidol Max Strength PMS, Pamprin, Pamprin ES› Acetaminophen, Phenylephrine, ChlorpheniramineSuper Cold Tabs› Aclidinium BromideTudorza Pressair› Aclidinium Bromide, Formoterol Fumarate DihydrateDuaklir Pressair› Aerosphere Budesonide, Formoterol Fumarate, GlycopyrrolateBreztri› AmantadineGocovri, Osmolex ER, Symmetrel› AminoglutethimideCytadren› AmitriptylineElavil›
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 Henbane 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 Henbane affects

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

All 1 drug category Henbane interacts with
Anticholinergic Drugs
Anticholinergic Drugs

Concomitant use of henbane can have additive anticholinergic effects and adverse effects with amantadine, antihistamines, atropine, belladonna alkaloids, hyoscyamine, phenothiazines, procainamide, scopolamine, and tricyclic antidepressants.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Monograph

Henbane: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed July 2026 ·
The bottom line

Henbane is a highly poisonous plant containing potent alkaloids like hyoscyamine and scopolamine, and even small amounts can cause serious or deadly poisoning. While its compounds have real medical uses, these belong in carefully controlled prescription drugs, not in self-made or self-dosed herbal products. We strongly advise against using henbane as a supplement.

Henbane
Scientific name
Hyoscyamus niger
Family
Solanaceae
Part used
Leaves, flowering tops, and seeds
Common forms
Rarely available; historically used as dried herb, tinctures, extracts, and topical oils. Not recommended for self-use.
People commonly use it for
  • Pain relief
  • Muscle spasms and cramps
  • Sleep and sedation
  • Asthma and breathing problems (traditional)
  • Toothache (traditional)

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

Safety at a glance
OverallBest avoided

Henbane is a toxic plant that can cause severe poisoning and death, even in small amounts.

PregnancyLikely Unsafe

When used orally because of its risk of poisoning.

Read the full pregnancy detail
BreastfeedingLikely Unsafe

When used orally because of its risk of poisoning.

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.

Jump to a section

Overview

Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) is a flowering plant in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), the same plant family as tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. It is native to Europe and Asia and now grows in many parts of the world. It has a strong, unpleasant smell, which is why one of its old names is "fetid nightshade."

For hundreds of years, henbane was used in traditional and folk medicine for pain, muscle spasms, and sleep. It was also used in some old surgical mixtures and even in rituals because of its strong mind-altering and sedating effects.

It is very important to understand that henbane is poisonous. The whole plant contains powerful chemicals that affect the brain, heart, and nerves. Today it is not considered a safe dietary supplement, and it is rarely sold for self-use.

Uses & effectiveness

People have traditionally used henbane for pain, muscle spasms, asthma, toothache, and to help with sleep. These uses come mostly from old folk medicine, not from strong modern research.

The active compounds in henbane do have real medical effects, and related compounds are used in prescription medicines today. However, there is not enough reliable human research to show that henbane itself is safe or effective as a home remedy. Because the plant is so toxic and the amount of active chemicals can vary a lot, it is nearly impossible to use safely on your own.

In short: the evidence does not support using henbane as a supplement, and the risks far outweigh any possible benefit.

How it works

Henbane contains a group of chemicals called tropane alkaloids, mainly hyoscyamine, scopolamine (hyoscine), and atropine. These are the same types of compounds found in other nightshade plants like belladonna.

These alkaloids block a chemical messenger in the body called acetylcholine. This is called an anticholinergic effect. By blocking it, the compounds can relax certain muscles, reduce spasms, slow some gland activity, and affect the brain to cause sedation or, in higher amounts, confusion and hallucinations.

Because these are strong, drug-like effects, the line between a "helpful" dose and a dangerous or deadly dose is very small. This is one reason henbane is not safe for self-use.

Safety & precautions

Henbane is poisonous and should not be used as a supplement. All parts of the plant are toxic, and poisoning has happened from eating the plant, seeds, or homemade preparations.

People who are at especially high risk include children, older adults, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and anyone with heart disease, glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, urinary problems, or other health conditions affected by anticholinergic drugs.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Do not use henbane if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Its toxic alkaloids can harm the baby and may pass into breast milk.

If you or someone you know may have swallowed henbane or a product containing it, treat it as a medical emergency. Call your local poison control center or seek emergency care right away.

Side effects

Even at low doses, henbane can cause anticholinergic side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, large (dilated) pupils, flushed skin, fast heartbeat, constipation, difficulty urinating, and drowsiness or confusion.

Larger amounts can cause hallucinations, agitation, very high fever, seizures, severe heart rhythm problems, coma, and death. A classic way to remember anticholinergic poisoning is "hot as a hare, dry as a bone, red as a beet, blind as a bat, mad as a hatter."

Because of these serious risks, there is no safe "normal" side effect profile for henbane like there is for typical supplements.

Henbane: Reported Adverse Effects

Documented safety reports on Henbane from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database, shown word-for-word from the licensed record.

Orally, henbane can cause anticholinergic effects including dry mouth, vision disturbances, tachycardia, difficult urination, constipation, and skin flushing. At higher doses, poisoning can occur due to the hyoscyamine and scopolamine constituents of henbane. Symptoms of toxicity include hyperpyrexia and somnolence, followed by CNS stimulation with restlessness, hallucinations, delirium, memory impairment, ataxia, and manic episodes, followed by exhaustion and coma. Henbane can cause death by asphyxiation.

  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Doneray H, Orbak Z, Karakelleoglu C. Clinical outcomes in children with hyoscyamus niger intoxication not receiving physostigmine therapy. Eur J Emerg Med 2007;14(6):348-50.
Reports by condition
Constipation Gastrointestinal

Orally, henbane causes reduced muscle activity in the bowel, leading to constipation.

  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Doneray H, Orbak Z, Karakelleoglu C. Clinical outcomes in children with hyoscyamus niger intoxication not receiving physostigmine therapy. Eur J Emerg Med 2007;14(6):348-50.
Irregular heartbeat Cardiovascular

Orally, henbane can cause tachycardia, especially at higher doses.

  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Doneray H, Orbak Z, Karakelleoglu C. Clinical outcomes in children with hyoscyamus niger intoxication not receiving physostigmine therapy. Eur J Emerg Med 2007;14(6):348-50.
Memory Neurologic/CNS

Orally, high doses of henbane can cause toxicity due to its hyoscyamine and scopolamine constituents. Neurologic symptoms of henbane toxicity include somnolence, followed by CNS excitation involving restlessness, hallucinations, memory impairment, delirium, and manic episodes, followed by exhaustion and coma.

  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Doneray H, Orbak Z, Karakelleoglu C. Clinical outcomes in children with hyoscyamus niger intoxication not receiving physostigmine therapy. Eur J Emerg Med 2007;14(6):348-50.
Niacin-induced flushing Dermatologic

Orally, henbane reduces sweating, resulting in flushing of the skin and hyperpyrexia.

  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Doneray H, Orbak Z, Karakelleoglu C. Clinical outcomes in children with hyoscyamus niger intoxication not receiving physostigmine therapy. Eur J Emerg Med 2007;14(6):348-50.
DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

Adverse-effects data: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

Dosing

There is no safe, established dose of henbane for self-use. The amount of toxic alkaloids varies widely from plant to plant and product to product, which makes safe dosing impossible at home.

The medical compounds found in henbane (such as hyoscyamine and scopolamine) are only used safely as standardized prescription medicines, prepared and dosed by professionals.

We do not recommend using henbane as a supplement. If you are looking for help with pain, spasms, sleep, or breathing problems, talk to your pharmacist or doctor about proven and safer options.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Henbane & Pregnancy

Likely Unsafe

When used orally because of its risk of poisoning.

  1. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.

Henbane & Breastfeeding

Likely Unsafe

When used orally because of its risk of poisoning.

  1. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 3 references that drive our Henbane 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. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Doneray H, Orbak Z, Karakelleoglu C. Clinical outcomes in children with hyoscyamus niger intoxication not receiving physostigmine therapy. Eur J Emerg Med 2007;14(6):348-50.
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

Brand directory

Brands that make products with Henbane

1 brand in our database make a supplement containing Henbane.

Product directory

Supplement products with Henbane

6 products in our database contain Henbane. Open any to see its full ingredient list and every drug interaction we check.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Henbane: Common Questions

Does Henbane interact with prescription medications?
Yes. We list 195 medications with a known interaction with Henbane, including 195 rated major. Use the checker above to see how Henbane interacts with a specific drug.
How are Henbane 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 Henbane 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 Henbane 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.
Is Henbane safe to take as a supplement?
No. Henbane is a poisonous plant, and even small amounts can cause serious or fatal poisoning. It should not be used as a home remedy or supplement.
What is Henbane traditionally used for?
People have used it for pain, muscle spasms, asthma, toothache, and sleep, but these uses come from folk medicine and are not backed by strong modern evidence that it is safe or effective.
Can I use Henbane while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Henbane should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding because its toxic alkaloids can harm the baby and may pass into breast milk.
What should I do if someone swallows Henbane?
Treat it as an emergency. Call your local poison control center or seek emergency medical care right away, especially if there are signs like confusion, fast heartbeat, dilated pupils, or trouble breathing.

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

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