Herb & supplement monograph

Yew Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

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

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

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Yew 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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Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Yew

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

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for Yew. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining supplements with your medications.

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 Yew combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
Monograph

Yew: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed July 2026 ·
The bottom line

Yew is a highly poisonous plant, and nearly all parts can be deadly even in small amounts. It is famous mainly because pharmaceutical drugs like paclitaxel (Taxol) are made from yew compounds in a controlled lab setting — but yew itself should never be taken as a supplement, tea, or home remedy.

Scientific name
Taxus baccata
Family
Taxaceae
Part used
Needles (leaves), bark, and seeds (all highly toxic); semi-synthetic drugs are derived from yew compounds
Common forms
Not used as a home remedy; yew-derived compounds are used only as prescription chemotherapy drugs (paclitaxel, docetaxel)
People commonly use it for
  • Source of cancer chemotherapy drugs
  • Historical folk and ornamental use
  • Traditional remedies (now considered unsafe)

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

Safety at a glance
OverallBest avoided

Yew is highly toxic and can cause sudden death; it should never be used as a supplement or home remedy.

PregnancyUnsafe

When the needles are used orally. Yew needles have been used as an abortifacient.

Read the full pregnancy detail
BreastfeedingUnsafe

When the needles are used orally. Yew needles have been used as an abortifacient.

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

Yew is an evergreen tree or shrub (most often Taxus baccata, the European yew) found in Europe, Asia, and North America. It has dark green needle-like leaves and produces a soft red berry-like structure called an aril, which surrounds a hard, toxic seed.

Yew is commonly grown as a hedge or ornamental plant in gardens and graveyards. Despite its long history in folklore and traditional medicine, yew is extremely poisonous. Almost every part of the plant contains dangerous compounds.

Today, yew's main importance in medicine is as a natural source of taxane compounds, which scientists use to make prescription cancer drugs in carefully controlled laboratory settings. The raw plant is not a safe dietary supplement.

Uses & effectiveness

There is no proven safe use of raw yew as a dietary supplement or herbal remedy. People have historically tried yew preparations for various ailments, but these uses are dangerous and are not supported by evidence.

Yew's true medical value comes from taxane drugs like paclitaxel (Taxol) and docetaxel (Taxotere), which are derived or semi-synthesized from yew compounds. These prescription chemotherapy medicines are well studied and effective for cancers such as breast, ovarian, and lung cancer — but they are given by oncologists at precise doses, not as herbal products.

It is important to understand that taking yew plant, tea, or extracts will not give you the benefits of these cancer drugs. Instead, it can cause severe poisoning or death.

How it works

Yew contains a group of poisonous compounds called taxine alkaloids (such as taxine A and B). These alkaloids interfere with the heart's electrical activity and can cause dangerous, sometimes fatal, heart rhythm problems.

Yew also contains taxanes, including the parent compound used to develop paclitaxel. In the lab, taxanes work by binding to structures inside cells called microtubules and stopping cancer cells from dividing. This anti-cancer action only works safely when isolated and dosed as a controlled pharmaceutical drug.

The key point is that the same plant holds both deadly heart toxins and the raw material for life-saving drugs — which is why it must be processed by professionals and never used as a home remedy.

Safety & precautions

Yew is one of the most poisonous plants in the world. Eating even a small amount of needles or seeds can cause severe poisoning and sudden death, sometimes with little warning. Poisonings have occurred in both people and animals, including livestock and pets.

No one should consume yew leaves, bark, seeds, teas, tinctures, or homemade extracts. The red flesh of the aril is sometimes said to be less toxic, but the seed inside is deadly, so the whole plant should be treated as dangerous.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Yew must be completely avoided. It is poisonous and may cause miscarriage, harm to the baby, or death of the mother.

Keep yew plants and clippings away from children and pets. If you suspect anyone has eaten any part of a yew plant, call your local poison control center or emergency services immediately.

Side effects

Yew poisoning can come on quickly and may include:

  • Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
  • Dizziness, weakness, and trembling
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
  • Sudden collapse, seizures, or death

Because the toxins affect the heart, a person may appear well one moment and become critically ill very quickly. There is no reliable safe dose, and poisoning can be fatal even with medical treatment.

Yew: Reported Adverse Effects

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

Orally, symptoms of yew poisoning include queasiness, dry mouth, vomiting, vertigo, severe abdominal pain, weakness, nervousness, trembling, dyspnea, incoordination, tachycardia, bradycardia, arrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation, hypotension, unconsciousness, coma, dizziness, seizures, respiratory depression, mydriasis, reddening of the lips, pale and cyanotic skin, and death secondary to cardiac arrest. Usually, gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms occur early, within 30-90 minutes, followed by cardiovascular symptoms and death within 24 hours. Some people are allergic to yew following airborne exposure.

  1. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  2. Van IG, Visser R, Peltenburg H, et al. Sudden unexpected death due to Taxus poisoning. A report of five cases, with review of the literature. Forensic Sci Int 1992;56:81-7.
  3. Krenzelok EP, Jacobsen TD, Aronis J. Is the yew really poisonous to you? J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1998;36:219-23.
  4. Persico A, Bacis G, Uberti F, et al. Identification of taxine derivatives in biological fluids from a patient after attempted suicide by ingestion of yew (Taxus baccata) leaves. J Anal Toxicol. 2011;35(4):238-41.
  5. Pilija V, Djurendic-Brenesel M, Miletic S. Fatal poisoning by ingestion of Taxus Baccata leaves. Forensic Sci Int. 2018;290:e1-e4.
  6. Farag M, Badowski D, Koschny R, Skopp G, Brcic A, Szabo GB. Extracorporeal life support and digoxin-specific Fab fragments for successful management of Taxus baccata intoxication with low output and ventricular arrhythmia. Am J Emerg Med. 2017;35(12):1987
  7. Vardon Bounes F, Tardif E, Ruiz S, Gallart JC, Conil JM, Delmas C. Suicide attempt with self-made Taxus baccata leaf capsules: survival following the application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for ventricular arrythmia and refractory cardiogenic s
  8. Baum C, Bohnen S, Sill B, et al. Prolonged resuscitation and cardiogenic shock after intoxication with European yew (Taxus baccata): Complete recovery after intermittent mechanical circulatory support. Int J Cardiol. 2015;181:176-8.
  9. Hermes-Laufer J, Meyer M, Rudiger A, et al. Extracorporeal life support as bridge to recovery in yew poisoning: case reports and literature review. ESC Heart Fail. 2021 Feb;8(1):705-709.
  10. G N, Chan M, Gue YX, Gorog DA. Fatal heart block from intentional yew tree (Taxus baccata) ingestion: a case report. Eur Heart J Case Rep. 2019 Dec 23;4(1):1-4.
  11. Sinn LE, Porterfield JF. Fatal taxine poisoning from yew leaf ingestion. J Forensic Sci 1991;36:599-601.
  12. Willaert, W., Claessens, P., Vankelecom, B., and Vanderheyden, M. Intoxication with taxus baccata: cardiac arrhythmias following yew leaves ingestion. Pacing Clin.Electrophysiol. 2002;25(4 Pt 1):511-512.
  13. Yersin, B., Frey, J. G., Schaller, M. D., Nicod, P., and Perret, C. Fatal cardiac arrhythmias and shock following yew leaves ingestion. Ann.Emerg.Med. 1987;16(12):1396-1397.
  14. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  15. Maguchi, S. and Fukuda, S. Taxus cuspidata (Japanese yew) pollen nasal allergy. Auris Nasus Larynx 2001;28 Suppl:S43-S47.
  16. de Vos FYFL, van Laarhoven HMW. Taxus baccata allergy in a breast cancer patient. Neth J Med. 2012;70(5):249-0.
Reports by condition
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) Immunologic

There is at least one known case of a patient with yew allergy associated with airborne exposure to yew trees. Based on this case report, it was also determined that people who are allergic to yew might become hypersensitive to docetaxel, which is derived from yew. Pollen from yew has caused nasal allergy in 18 patients.

  1. de Vos FYFL, van Laarhoven HMW. Taxus baccata allergy in a breast cancer patient. Neth J Med. 2012;70(5):249-0.
  2. Maguchi, S. and Fukuda, S. Taxus cuspidata (Japanese yew) pollen nasal allergy. Auris Nasus Larynx 2001;28 Suppl:S43-S47.
Arrhythmia Cardiovascular

Orally, symptoms of yew poisoning include tachycardia, bradycardia, arrhythmias, hypotension, ventricular fibrillation, and death due to cardiac arrest. Usually, gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms occur early, within 30-90 minutes, followed by cardiovascular symptoms and death within 24 hours.

Treatment is usually related to supportive care, however, arrhythmias are often resistant to standard pharmacologic treatments and transvenous or external pacemakers. Lipid emulsion therapy and digoxin-binding antibodies have also been used to treat yew poisoning, but the effects are unclear. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) has been used as a bridge during taxine elimination and cardiac recovery. VA ECMO has typically been used for 72 hours or less.

  1. Van IG, Visser R, Peltenburg H, et al. Sudden unexpected death due to Taxus poisoning. A report of five cases, with review of the literature. Forensic Sci Int 1992;56:81-7.
  2. Willaert, W., Claessens, P., Vankelecom, B., and Vanderheyden, M. Intoxication with taxus baccata: cardiac arrhythmias following yew leaves ingestion. Pacing Clin.Electrophysiol. 2002;25(4 Pt 1):511-512.
  3. Yersin, B., Frey, J. G., Schaller, M. D., Nicod, P., and Perret, C. Fatal cardiac arrhythmias and shock following yew leaves ingestion. Ann.Emerg.Med. 1987;16(12):1396-1397.
  4. Persico A, Bacis G, Uberti F, et al. Identification of taxine derivatives in biological fluids from a patient after attempted suicide by ingestion of yew (Taxus baccata) leaves. J Anal Toxicol. 2011;35(4):238-41.
  5. Farag M, Badowski D, Koschny R, Skopp G, Brcic A, Szabo GB. Extracorporeal life support and digoxin-specific Fab fragments for successful management of Taxus baccata intoxication with low output and ventricular arrhythmia. Am J Emerg Med. 2017;35(12):1987
  6. Vardon Bounes F, Tardif E, Ruiz S, Gallart JC, Conil JM, Delmas C. Suicide attempt with self-made Taxus baccata leaf capsules: survival following the application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for ventricular arrythmia and refractory cardiogenic s
  7. Baum C, Bohnen S, Sill B, et al. Prolonged resuscitation and cardiogenic shock after intoxication with European yew (Taxus baccata): Complete recovery after intermittent mechanical circulatory support. Int J Cardiol. 2015;181:176-8.
  8. Hermes-Laufer J, Meyer M, Rudiger A, et al. Extracorporeal life support as bridge to recovery in yew poisoning: case reports and literature review. ESC Heart Fail. 2021 Feb;8(1):705-709.
  9. G N, Chan M, Gue YX, Gorog DA. Fatal heart block from intentional yew tree (Taxus baccata) ingestion: a case report. Eur Heart J Case Rep. 2019 Dec 23;4(1):1-4.
Depression Neurologic/CNS

Orally, symptoms of yew poisoning include vertigo, weakness, nervousness, trembling, loss of coordination, unconsciousness, coma, dizziness, seizures, respiratory depression, and mydriasis. Usually, gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms occur early, within 30-90 minutes, followed by cardiovascular symptoms and death within 24 hours.

  1. Van IG, Visser R, Peltenburg H, et al. Sudden unexpected death due to Taxus poisoning. A report of five cases, with review of the literature. Forensic Sci Int 1992;56:81-7.
  2. Sinn LE, Porterfield JF. Fatal taxine poisoning from yew leaf ingestion. J Forensic Sci 1991;36:599-601.
  3. Persico A, Bacis G, Uberti F, et al. Identification of taxine derivatives in biological fluids from a patient after attempted suicide by ingestion of yew (Taxus baccata) leaves. J Anal Toxicol. 2011;35(4):238-41.
  4. G N, Chan M, Gue YX, Gorog DA. Fatal heart block from intentional yew tree (Taxus baccata) ingestion: a case report. Eur Heart J Case Rep. 2019 Dec 23;4(1):1-4.
  5. Farag M, Badowski D, Koschny R, Skopp G, Brcic A, Szabo GB. Extracorporeal life support and digoxin-specific Fab fragments for successful management of Taxus baccata intoxication with low output and ventricular arrhythmia. Am J Emerg Med. 2017;35(12):1987
  6. Hermes-Laufer J, Meyer M, Rudiger A, et al. Extracorporeal life support as bridge to recovery in yew poisoning: case reports and literature review. ESC Heart Fail. 2021 Feb;8(1):705-709.
  7. Pilija V, Djurendic-Brenesel M, Miletic S. Fatal poisoning by ingestion of Taxus Baccata leaves. Forensic Sci Int. 2018;290:e1-e4.
  8. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  9. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
Dry mouth Gastrointestinal

Orally, initial symptoms of yew poisoning include queasiness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain. Usually, gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms occur early, within 30-90 minutes, followed by cardiovascular symptoms and death within 24 hours.

  1. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  2. Van IG, Visser R, Peltenburg H, et al. Sudden unexpected death due to Taxus poisoning. A report of five cases, with review of the literature. Forensic Sci Int 1992;56:81-7.
  3. Krenzelok EP, Jacobsen TD, Aronis J. Is the yew really poisonous to you? J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1998;36:219-23.
  4. Persico A, Bacis G, Uberti F, et al. Identification of taxine derivatives in biological fluids from a patient after attempted suicide by ingestion of yew (Taxus baccata) leaves. J Anal Toxicol. 2011;35(4):238-41.
  5. Pilija V, Djurendic-Brenesel M, Miletic S. Fatal poisoning by ingestion of Taxus Baccata leaves. Forensic Sci Int. 2018;290:e1-e4.
  6. Farag M, Badowski D, Koschny R, Skopp G, Brcic A, Szabo GB. Extracorporeal life support and digoxin-specific Fab fragments for successful management of Taxus baccata intoxication with low output and ventricular arrhythmia. Am J Emerg Med. 2017;35(12):1987
  7. Vardon Bounes F, Tardif E, Ruiz S, Gallart JC, Conil JM, Delmas C. Suicide attempt with self-made Taxus baccata leaf capsules: survival following the application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for ventricular arrythmia and refractory cardiogenic s
  8. Baum C, Bohnen S, Sill B, et al. Prolonged resuscitation and cardiogenic shock after intoxication with European yew (Taxus baccata): Complete recovery after intermittent mechanical circulatory support. Int J Cardiol. 2015;181:176-8.
  9. Hermes-Laufer J, Meyer M, Rudiger A, et al. Extracorporeal life support as bridge to recovery in yew poisoning: case reports and literature review. ESC Heart Fail. 2021 Feb;8(1):705-709.
  10. G N, Chan M, Gue YX, Gorog DA. Fatal heart block from intentional yew tree (Taxus baccata) ingestion: a case report. Eur Heart J Case Rep. 2019 Dec 23;4(1):1-4.
Poisoning Pulmonary/Respiratory

Orally, symptoms of yew poisoning include dyspnea.

  1. Sinn LE, Porterfield JF. Fatal taxine poisoning from yew leaf ingestion. J Forensic Sci 1991;36:599-601.
Poisoning Dermatologic

Orally, symptoms of yew poisoning include reddening of the lips and pale and cyanotic skin.

  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Krenzelok EP, Jacobsen TD, Aronis J. Is the yew really poisonous to you? J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1998;36:219-23.
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 dose of yew as a supplement or herbal product. It should never be taken by mouth in any form.

The cancer drugs derived from yew (paclitaxel and docetaxel) are completely different products. They are given only by cancer specialists, in a hospital or clinic, at carefully calculated doses based on a person's body size and condition.

If you are looking for a natural product for any health concern, talk with your pharmacist or doctor about safe, well-studied options instead of yew.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Yew & Pregnancy

Unsafe

When the needles are used orally. Yew needles have been used as an abortifacient.

  1. Gennaro A. Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy. 19th ed. Lippincott: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.

Yew & Breastfeeding

Unsafe

When the needles are used orally. Yew needles have been used as an abortifacient.

  1. Gennaro A. Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy. 19th ed. Lippincott: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
  2. 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 17 references that drive our Yew 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. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  2. Gennaro A. Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy. 19th ed. Lippincott: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
  3. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  4. Sinn LE, Porterfield JF. Fatal taxine poisoning from yew leaf ingestion. J Forensic Sci 1991;36:599-601. DOI
  5. Van IG, Visser R, Peltenburg H, et al. Sudden unexpected death due to Taxus poisoning. A report of five cases, with review of the literature. Forensic Sci Int 1992;56:81-7. PubMed
  6. Krenzelok EP, Jacobsen TD, Aronis J. Is the yew really poisonous to you? J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1998;36:219-23. PubMed
  7. Maguchi, S. and Fukuda, S. Taxus cuspidata (Japanese yew) pollen nasal allergy. Auris Nasus Larynx 2001;28 Suppl:S43-S47. PubMed
  8. Willaert, W., Claessens, P., Vankelecom, B., and Vanderheyden, M. Intoxication with taxus baccata: cardiac arrhythmias following yew leaves ingestion. Pacing Clin.Electrophysiol. 2002;25(4 Pt 1):511-512.
  9. Yersin, B., Frey, J. G., Schaller, M. D., Nicod, P., and Perret, C. Fatal cardiac arrhythmias and shock following yew leaves ingestion. Ann.Emerg.Med. 1987;16(12):1396-1397. PubMed
  10. de Vos FYFL, van Laarhoven HMW. Taxus baccata allergy in a breast cancer patient. Neth J Med. 2012;70(5):249-0.
  11. Persico A, Bacis G, Uberti F, et al. Identification of taxine derivatives in biological fluids from a patient after attempted suicide by ingestion of yew (Taxus baccata) leaves. J Anal Toxicol. 2011;35(4):238-41. PubMed
  12. Pilija V, Djurendic-Brenesel M, Miletic S. Fatal poisoning by ingestion of Taxus Baccata leaves. Forensic Sci Int. 2018;290:e1-e4. PubMed
  13. Farag M, Badowski D, Koschny R, Skopp G, Brcic A, Szabo GB. Extracorporeal life support and digoxin-specific Fab fragments for successful management of Taxus baccata intoxication with low output and ventricular arrhythmia. Am J Emerg Med. 2017;35(12):1987 PubMed
  14. Vardon Bounes F, Tardif E, Ruiz S, Gallart JC, Conil JM, Delmas C. Suicide attempt with self-made Taxus baccata leaf capsules: survival following the application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for ventricular arrythmia and refractory cardiogenic s
  15. Baum C, Bohnen S, Sill B, et al. Prolonged resuscitation and cardiogenic shock after intoxication with European yew (Taxus baccata): Complete recovery after intermittent mechanical circulatory support. Int J Cardiol. 2015;181:176-8. 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

Brand directory

Brands that make products with Yew

3 brands in our database make a supplement containing Yew.

Product directory

Supplement products with Yew

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

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Yew: Common Questions

Does Yew interact with prescription medications?
We do not currently list any known drug interactions for Yew. This does not guarantee that none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist before combining it with your medications.
How are Yew 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 Yew 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 Yew 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 Yew safe to take as a supplement or tea?
No. Yew is highly poisonous, and consuming any part of the plant — including teas or extracts — can cause severe heart problems and sudden death. It should never be used as a home remedy.
If cancer drugs come from Yew, can I use Yew to fight cancer?
No. The cancer drugs (paclitaxel and docetaxel) are carefully isolated and made in pharmaceutical labs and given by oncologists at precise doses. Eating Yew will not provide these benefits and can poison or kill you.
What should I do if my child or pet swallows Yew?
Treat it as a medical emergency. Call your local poison control center or emergency services right away, even if there are no symptoms yet, because Yew poisoning can become severe very quickly.
Are Yew berries dangerous?
The soft red flesh around the seed is less toxic, but the seed inside is deadly and the rest of the plant is highly poisonous. It is safest to avoid all parts of Yew entirely.

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

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