Herb & supplement monograph

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

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Picrorhiza 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

Check Picrorhiza against your medication

Add one medication

✓ Supplement

Picrorhiza

1 Your medication

Start typing any prescription or over-the-counter drug name.

Reviewed by licensed pharmacists Sourced from Natural Medicines

On this page

Picrorhiza 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 Picrorhiza drug interaction appears low for most people, since none of its known interactions are well documented in humans. No interactions are rated major, and all rest on animal research or theoretical reasoning rather than proven effects in people.

Interactions deserving the most attention

Two groups deserve the most care. Animal research suggests picrorhiza can lower blood sugar, so combining it with diabetes medications could add to their effect and raise the chance of low blood sugar, which makes closer glucose checks sensible. Picrorhiza also appears to stimulate the immune system, so it could work against immunosuppressants such as tacrolimus, cyclosporine, or prednisone, where even a small loss of effect matters, especially for transplant patients.

What the rest of the list means

The long list of interacting medications looks larger than it really is, because it mostly reflects these two broad drug groups. Every concern is theoretical, drawn from animal or laboratory findings, and none has been confirmed to cause meaningful problems in people so far.

Check your medications against Picrorhiza

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

Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Picrorhiza

207 medications have a known interaction with Picrorhiza, 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 Picrorhiza using our pharmacist-reviewed interaction data.

AI summaries are generated from our Picrorhiza 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 Picrorhiza 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 Picrorhiza affects

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

All 2 drug categories Picrorhiza interacts with

Antidiabetes DrugsImmunosuppressants

Antidiabetes Drugs

Evidence from animal research suggests that an extract of picrorhiza can reduce fasting and non-fasting blood sugar levels. Theoretically, picrorhiza might have additive effects with antidiabetes drugs and increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Monitor blood glucose levels closely. Dose adjustments might be necessary. Some antidiabetes drugs include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Immunosuppressants

Picrorhiza seems to have immunostimulating activity. Theoretically, picrorhiza may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy. Immunosuppressant drugs include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), and other corticosteroids (glucocorticoids).

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Monograph

Picrorhiza: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

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

The bottom line

Picrorhiza (Picrorhiza kurroa) is a bitter Himalayan herb used in Ayurvedic medicine, mainly for liver and digestive complaints. Early lab and small human studies suggest possible liver-protective and anti-inflammatory effects, but high-quality evidence is limited. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it, and avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Scientific name: Picrorhiza kurroa
Family: Plantaginaceae
Part used: Roots and rhizomes
Common forms: Capsules, tablets, powder (churna), liquid extracts, and traditional herbal formulas

People commonly use it for

Liver support
Digestive complaints
Asthma and breathing problems
Skin conditions
Fever
Immune support

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

Safety at a glance

OverallUse caution

Generally used in traditional medicine, but human safety data are limited, so use with care.

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.

Jump to a section

Overview

Picrorhiza is an herb that comes from the roots and rhizomes (underground stems) of the plant Picrorhiza kurroa. It grows in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayan mountains, including parts of India, Nepal, and Tibet.

The herb has a very bitter taste and has been used for hundreds of years in Ayurvedic and other traditional medicine systems. In these traditions, it is often called "kutki" or "kutaki." People have used it mainly to support the liver and digestion, and for fevers and breathing problems.

Today it is sold as a dietary supplement in capsules, tablets, powders, and liquid extracts, and it is found in many combination herbal products.

How it works

Picrorhiza contains active compounds called iridoid glycosides, the best known being picroside and kutkoside. These are sometimes grouped together and called "kutkin."

In laboratory and animal studies, these compounds appear to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Researchers think these actions may help protect liver cells from damage and calm inflammation in the body.

It's important to remember that most of this research has been done in test tubes or animals. How well these effects apply to people taking the supplement is still not clear.

Effectiveness

Does Picrorhiza work?

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

Evidence overview · 4 uses evaluated

1 Possibly effective 1 Leans ineffective 2 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 Vitiligo

Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Taking picrorhiza orally for up to 1 year, in combination with oral and topical methoxsalen, seems to help treat vitiligo in adults and children.

Sources Ref 11493

Possibly Ineffective Asthma

Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Taking picrorhiza orally for up to 12 weeks does not seem to help asthma symptoms or improve measurements of lung function.

Sources Ref 11858

Also studied for 2 conditions — evidence insufficient to rate

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

A small clinical study in patients with COPD and chronic cough shows that taking two capsules of a specific combination product (AKL1, AKL International Ltd.) containing picrorhiza ginkgo extract, and ginger twice daily for 8 weeks does not improve cough or other respiratory symptoms when compared with placebo.

Sources Ref 89702

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Hepatitis

Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Preliminary clinical research suggests that picrorhiza, given orally for 2 weeks, might help acute viral hepatitis. It seems to improve symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, and malaise, as well as lower bilirubin and transaminase levels. Picrorhiza has not been tested in patients with hepatitis B.

Sources Ref 11848

Source & disclaimer. Effectiveness ratings and evidence summaries are provided by Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) and shown as licensed. Where Natural Medicines hasn’t rated a use, HelloPharmacist’s pharmacists may add their own reviewed rating and evidence (each such entry is labeled). This is educational information, not medical advice — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a supplement.

Safety & precautions

Picrorhiza has a long history of traditional use, but there is limited modern safety information from well-controlled studies. Use it cautiously and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is not enough reliable safety information for these times. To be safe, avoid Picrorhiza if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

People with liver disease should be especially careful and check with a doctor before using any liver herb, since herbal products can sometimes affect the liver. People with autoimmune conditions may also want to be cautious because of possible effects on the immune system.

Because supplements are not tightly regulated, product quality and purity can vary. Choose products from reputable brands and consider those that are third-party tested.

Side effects

When used in typical amounts, Picrorhiza is usually well tolerated, but solid safety data are limited.

The most commonly reported side effects involve the digestive system, such as nausea, stomach upset, or loose stools, partly because the herb is very bitter.

Rarely, herbal products taken by mouth can cause allergic reactions or, in some cases, liver irritation. Stop taking it and seek medical care if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, severe stomach pain, or signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, swelling, or trouble breathing.

Picrorhiza: Reported Adverse Effects

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

Orally, picrorhiza may cause vomiting, rash, anorexia, diarrhea, itching, and giddiness.

Doshi VB, Shetye VM, Mahashur AA, Kamat SR. Picrorrhiza kurroa in bronchial asthma. J Postgrad Med 1983;29:89-95.

Reports by condition

Anorexia Gastrointestinal

Orally, picrorhiza may cause vomiting, anorexia, and diarrhea.

Doshi VB, Shetye VM, Mahashur AA, Kamat SR. Picrorrhiza kurroa in bronchial asthma. J Postgrad Med 1983;29:89-95.

Pruritus Dermatologic

Orally, picrorhiza may cause rash and itching.

Doshi VB, Shetye VM, Mahashur AA, Kamat SR. Picrorrhiza kurroa in bronchial asthma. J Postgrad Med 1983;29:89-95.

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 well-established standard dose of Picrorhiza. The amount used can vary widely depending on the form (powder, capsule, or extract) and how concentrated the product is.

The safest approach is to follow the dosing directions on the product label and not to exceed them. Because the right dose depends on your health, other medicines, and the specific product, it's best to check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting.

Do not give Picrorhiza to children or use it long-term without professional guidance.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Picrorhiza & Pregnancy

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Picrorhiza & Breastfeeding

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 7 references that drive our Picrorhiza 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.

Sharma ML, Rao CS, Duda PL. Immunostimulatory activity of Picrorhiza kurroa leaf extract. J Ethnopharmacol 1994;41:185-92. PubMed
Bedi KL, Zutshi U, Chopra CL, Amla V. Picrorhiza kurroa, an ayurvedic herb, may potentiate photochemotherapy in vitiligo. J Ethnopharmacol 1989;27:347-52. PubMed
Vaidya AB, Antarkar DS, Doshi JC, et al. Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutaki) Royle ex Benth as a hepatoprotective agent--experimental & clinical studies. J Postgrad Med 1996;42:105-8.
Baruah CC, Gupta PP, Nath A, et al. Anti-allergic and anti-anaphylactic activity of picroliv--a standardised iridoid glycoside fraction of Picrorhiza kurroa. Pharmacol Res 1998;38:487-92.
Doshi VB, Shetye VM, Mahashur AA, Kamat SR. Picrorrhiza kurroa in bronchial asthma. J Postgrad Med 1983;29:89-95.
Joy, K. L. and Kuttan, R. Anti-diabetic activity of Picrorrhiza kurroa extract. J Ethnopharmacol 11-1-1999;67(2):143-148. PubMed
Brockwell C, Ampikaipakan S, Sexton DW, Price D, Freeman D, Thomas M, Ali M, Wilson AM. Adjunctive treatment with oral AKL1, a botanical nutraceutical, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2014;9:715-21. 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.

Brand directory

Brands that make products with Picrorhiza

62 brands in our database make a supplement containing Picrorhiza.

1 Body 22 products Aerobic Life 58 products AFI America's Finest 71 products ALLMAX 210 products Ayush Herbs 37 products Banyan Botanicals 697 products Biotics Research Corporation 250 products BN Baseline Nutritionals 28 products Botanic Choice 253 products Bronson 657 products Bronson Laboratories 446 products Core Nutritionals Lifeline 6 products Designs for Health 295 products Dr. Gumman’s Integrative 7 products EA Enhanced 13 products Futurebiotics 150 products GNC Beyond Raw 212 products GNC BodyDynamix 13 products GNC Herbal Plus 211 products GNC Herbal Plus Standardized 52 products GNC Preventive Nutrition 187 products GNC Total Lean Advanced 23 products Harmony Nutraceuticals 47 products Hawaii Pharm 4,726 products

Product directory

Supplement products with Picrorhiza

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

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Picrorhiza: Common Questions

What is Picrorhiza used for, and does it work?

People use Picrorhiza for many reasons, but the evidence varies by use. According to the Natural Medicines database, there is at least some clinical evidence supporting Picrorhiza for Vitiligo. For most other uses it has been studied for, the evidence is currently insufficient to rate. See the graded list on this page, and always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.

Does Picrorhiza interact with prescription medications?

Yes. We list 207 medications with a known interaction with Picrorhiza. Use the checker above to see how Picrorhiza interacts with a specific drug.

How are Picrorhiza 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 Picrorhiza 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 Picrorhiza 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 Picrorhiza used for?

It is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine mainly for liver support and digestive complaints, and also for fever, asthma, and skin conditions. Modern evidence for these uses is limited and not strong.

Is Picrorhiza safe to take?

It has a long history of traditional use and is usually well tolerated, but modern safety data are limited. Use it cautiously and talk with your pharmacist or doctor first, especially if you have liver problems.

Can I take Picrorhiza while pregnant or breastfeeding?

No. There isn't enough reliable safety information, so it's best to avoid Picrorhiza during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

What are the side effects of Picrorhiza?

The most common side effects are stomach upset, nausea, or loose stools because the herb is very bitter. Rarely, allergic reactions or liver irritation can occur, so stop and seek care if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes or a rash.

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

Keep exploring

Products that contain Picrorhiza

A rotating sample of real supplements in our database that list Picrorhiza — open any to see its full ingredients and every drug interaction we check.

See all 177 products with Picrorhiza →

Where next

Supplement interaction checkerCheck any supplement or product against your medications Drug–drug interactionsCheck two or more of your medications against each other Browse medications A–ZEvery drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements NDC & pricing lookupFind a drug’s NDCs, packaging and costs Ask a pharmacistFree, personal answer from our licensed team

Have a question about Picrorhiza?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Picrorhiza Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Your Choice:

Picrorhiza Drug Interactions: The Bottom Line

Drugs that interact with Picrorhiza

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

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Where This Data Comes From

The kinds of drugs Picrorhiza affects

Picrorhiza: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Overview

How it works

Does Picrorhiza work?

Safety & precautions

Side effects

Picrorhiza: Reported Adverse Effects

Dosing

Picrorhiza & Pregnancy

Picrorhiza & Breastfeeding

References & further reading

Brands that make products with Picrorhiza

Supplement products with Picrorhiza

Picrorhiza: Common Questions

Related supplements & herbs

Products that contain Picrorhiza

Have a question about Picrorhiza?