Echinacea 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by herbscience
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Echinacea 500 mg against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.
Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy
Echinacea 500 mg is a dietary supplement by herbscience with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for common cold, flu and respiratory infections, immune support.Based on those ingredients, 816 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Echinacea purpurea. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Echinacea 500 mg by herbscience
Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
This product contains 2 active ingredients, both forms of echinacea. Echinacea purpurea and echinacea are the plant extracts that give this supplement its immune-boosting properties.
The remaining ingredients are inactive fillers and binders — dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, stearic acid, silica, magnesium stearate, and pharmaceutical glaze — that help hold the product together and make it easy to take.
Does it work?
Not established
The evidence for echinacea's effectiveness on the conditions listed in the data — anxiety, athletic performance, ADHD, burns, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraine headache — is not established. The data we hold rates all of them as insufficient reliable evidence to rate, meaning there's not enough solid research to say whether echinacea actually works for these purposes.
If you're considering it for a different reason (like cold prevention or immune support), that information isn't covered in the data we have on file.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Echinacea is generally well tolerated when taken short-term. The most common side effects — abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, rashes, and stomach upset — tend to be mild.
Rare but serious reactions include severe allergic responses and hepatitis (liver inflammation). You're at higher risk for allergic reactions if you're sensitive to ragweed or related plants like chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies, since echinacea belongs to that plant family.
There's not enough reliable safety information to know whether echinacea is safe during pregnancy, though the data rates it as possibly safe — talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before taking this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any cancer drugs (especially etoposide), immunosuppressants, or drugs metabolized by liver enzymes like CYP1A2 or CYP3A4 — these are Moderate-severity concerns. Also double-check if you use blood thinners like warfarin, sedatives like midazolam, or HIV medications like lopinavir/ritonavir, which carry Minor interactions.
And be mindful of your caffeine intake from coffee, tea, or energy drinks, since echinacea may boost caffeine levels by about 30%.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
Echinacea is a common herbal supplement, but it interacts with enough medications that you need to check yours before starting it — especially if you take cancer drugs, immunosuppressants, blood thinners, sedatives, or caffeine regularly. It's generally well tolerated short-term but rarely causes liver problems or serious allergies.
Talk with your own doctor or pharmacist before adding this to your routine, especially if you're on prescription medications.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Mar 23, 2012.
This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed
General information
Key facts about Echinacea 500 mg, straight from the product label.
| Brand | herbscience |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 035046041700 |
| Net contents | 60 Caplet(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Mar 23, 2012 |
| DSLD ID | 7102 |
| Product type | Botanical |
| Supplement form | Other (e.g. Tea Bag) |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years) |
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.
Supplement Facts
The label details for Echinacea 500 mg by herbscience, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Echinacea purpurea | 5 mg | -- |
| Echinacea | 500 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Croscarmellose Sodium, Stearic Acid, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Pharmaceutical Glaze
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General
TC# 54060602 ITEM# N4170
Brand IP Statement(s)
BLUEPRINT BOTANICALS(TM)
At herbscience(TM), we have found a way to combine high technology with age-old herbal tradition. The Blueprint Botanicals(TM) system begins with select herbs gathered from all over the world. Pre-tested, using advanced analytical methods, our herbal extracts are patiently concentrated utilizing time-tested methods. Once we have attained the highly standardized levels recommended by leading herbalists, our finished products are packaged and double-sealed for optimal freshness. This is your assurance of potency and purity. Blueprint Botanicals(TM) for herbscience(TM)- Perfecting the Science of Nature(TM).
(C) Copyright 1998 Windmill Consumer Products(TM)
General Statements
STANDARDIZED-FULL POTENCY
support IMMUNE FUNCTION
Seals/Symbols
(BB) BLUEPRINT BOTANICALS(TM)
FDA Statement of Identity
herbal supplement
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
DIRECTIONS: Take one caplet daily as a dietary supplement or as recommended by a healthcare professional.
Precautions
WARNING: Pregnant or lactating women should consult with their physician prior to taking this product.
Keep out of reach of children.
Do not use if seal is broken.
Storage
Protect from heat, light and moisture.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Echinacea 500 mg by herbscience label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.
View the full label (PDF)The Ingredients in Echinacea 500 mg by herbscience
These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Caplet(s) Dosage formOther (e.g. Tea Bag) Amounts shown are per serving.
Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.
Echinacea purpurea
Interacts with816 drugs
Echinacea is a popular herb taken to help prevent or shorten the common cold, but study results are mixed and the overall benefit appears small at bes...
Echinacea purpurea monograph & interactionsEchinacea
Interacts with816 drugs
Echinacea is a popular herb taken to help prevent or shorten the common cold, but study results are mixed and the overall benefit appears small at bes...
Echinacea monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Croscarmellose Sodium, Stearic Acid, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Pharmaceutical Glaze. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Echinacea 500 mg by herbscience Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Echinacea 500 mg by herbscience interacts with medications through its echinacea content, which affects how your body metabolizes certain drugs.
The most serious interactions are Moderate in severity and involve drugs that depend on liver enzymes (cytochrome P450) to work. Echinacea can block or speed up the metabolism of these drugs, changing how much gets into your bloodstream and whether they work as intended.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
The main concern is drugs metabolized by CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 enzymes. Echinacea inhibits CYP1A2, which boosts caffeine levels by around 30% — so if you drink coffee or take caffeine pills and take echinacea, you may feel more jittery or have a faster heart rate.
For CYP3A4 substrates, echinacea's effect is unpredictable: it can both speed up and slow down metabolism depending on where the drug is processed in your body. This creates a risk with cancer drugs like etoposide (Vepesid), where echinacea may raise drug levels and cause more severe side effects.
Echinacea also theoretically interferes with immunosuppressants (drugs that weaken the immune system on purpose, like those taken after transplant) because echinacea revs up immune activity.
Minor interactions are documented with blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin), where echinacea speeds up clearance and may reduce effectiveness, and with sedatives like midazolam (Versed) and HIV drugs like lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), though the real-world effect in the latter two is less certain. Altogether, these interactions span 817 individual medications.
Run your exact medications through the search tool on this page before you start.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Echinacea 500 mg?
Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.
Go to the checkerIngredients driving the most interactions
Individual Drug Interactions
The ingredients in Echinacea 500 mg interact with 816 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 2 ingredients in Echinacea 500 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Echinacea purpurea
Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, PentobarbitalMicomp PB
How Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates, Caffeine +1 Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital interactionBelladonna, Ergotamine Tartrate, Phenobarbital
How Belladonna, Ergotamine Tartrate, Phenobarbital interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Belladonna, Ergotamine Tartrate, Phenobarbital interactionBelladonna, Ergotamine, PhenobarbitalBellergal-S
How Belladonna, Ergotamine, Phenobarbital interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Belladonna, Ergotamine, Phenobarbital interactionBellafoline, Caffeine, Ergotamine Tartrate, PentobarbitalCafergot PB
How Bellafoline, Caffeine, Ergotamine Tartrate, Pentobarbital interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates, Cytochrome P450 1a2 (cyp1a2) Substrates +1 Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Bellafoline, Caffeine, Ergotamine Tartrate, Pentobarbital interactionBelumosudil MesylateRezurock
How Belumosudil Mesylate interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Belumosudil Mesylate interactionBendamustineBelrapzo, Treanda, Vivimusta
How Bendamustine interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 1a2 (cyp1a2) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea might inhibit the metabolism of CYP1A2 and increase plasma levels of some drugs.
Read the full Echinacea + Bendamustine interactionBendamustine HydrochlorideBendeka
How Bendamustine Hydrochloride interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 1a2 (cyp1a2) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea might inhibit the metabolism of CYP1A2 and increase plasma levels of some drugs.
Read the full Echinacea + Bendamustine Hydrochloride interactionBenzhydrocodone, AcetaminophenApadaz
How Benzhydrocodone, Acetaminophen interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 1a2 (cyp1a2) Substrates, Cytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea might inhibit the metabolism of CYP1A2 and increase plasma levels of some drugs.
Read the full Echinacea + Benzhydrocodone, Acetaminophen interactionBepridilVascor
How Bepridil interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Bepridil interactionBetamethasoneCelestone, Diprolene AF, Diprosone
How Betamethasone interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Echinacea + Betamethasone interactionBetamethasone DipropionateSernivo
How Betamethasone Dipropionate interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Echinacea + Betamethasone Dipropionate interactionBetamethasone Dipropionate, CalcipotrieneEnstilar, Wynzora
How Betamethasone Dipropionate, Calcipotriene interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Echinacea + Betamethasone Dipropionate, Calcipotriene interactionBetamethasone ValerateLuxiq
How Betamethasone Valerate interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Echinacea + Betamethasone Valerate interactionBexaroteneTargretin
How Bexarotene interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Bexarotene interactionBictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir AlafenamideBiktarvy
How Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interactionBimekizumab-bkzxBimzelx
How Bimekizumab-bkzx interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Echinacea + Bimekizumab-bkzx interactionBoceprevirVictrelis
How Boceprevir interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Boceprevir interactionBosentanTracleer
How Bosentan interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Bosentan interactionBosutinibBosulif
How Bosutinib interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Bosutinib interactionBrentuximab VedotinAdcetris
How Brentuximab Vedotin interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Brentuximab Vedotin interactionBrexpiprazoleRexulti
How Brexpiprazole interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Brexpiprazole interactionBrigatinibAlunbrig
How Brigatinib interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Brigatinib interactionBromocriptineParlodel
How Bromocriptine interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Bromocriptine interactionBudenosidePulmicort Flexhaler, Pulmicort Turbuhaler
How Budenoside interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Budenoside interactionBudesonideEntocort EC, Eohilia, Pulmicort, Tarpeyo, Uceris
How Budesonide interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Budesonide interactionBuprenorphineBrixadi, Butrans, Sublocade, Subutex
How Buprenorphine interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Buprenorphine interactionBuprenorphine HydrochlorideBelbuca, Probuphine
How Buprenorphine Hydrochloride interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Buprenorphine Hydrochloride interactionBuprenorphine Hydrochloride, Naloxone HydrochlorideBunavail
How Buprenorphine Hydrochloride, Naloxone Hydrochloride interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Buprenorphine Hydrochloride, Naloxone Hydrochloride interactionBuprenorphine, NaloxoneCassipa, Zubsolv
How Buprenorphine, Naloxone interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Buprenorphine, Naloxone interactionBuprenorphine/naloxoneSuboxone
How Buprenorphine/naloxone interacts with Echinacea 500 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea + Buprenorphine/naloxone interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Echinacea 500 mg with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.
Echinacea purpurea
Caffeine
Echinacea can increase plasma levels of caffeine by inhibiting its metabolism.
Echinacea seems to increase plasma concentrations of caffeine by around 30%. This is likely due to inhibition of cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) by echinacea.
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates
Echinacea might inhibit the metabolism of CYP1A2 and increase plasma levels of some drugs.
Echinacea appears to inhibit CYP1A2 enzymes in humans. Additionally, echinacea seems to increase plasma concentrations of caffeine, a CYP1A2 substrate, by around 30%. Theoretically, echinacea might increase levels of other drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4. This may increase or decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Several clinical trials have shown that taking echinacea for up to one month does not significantly affect the metabolism of various CYP3A4 substrates, including midazolam, docetaxel, etravirine, lopinavir-ritonavir, and darunavir-ritonavir. However, other clinical research shows that echinacea may increase the clearance of midazolam, suggesting that echinacea might induce CYP3A4. The discrepancy is thought to be due to differing effects of echinacea on intestinal versus hepatic CYP3A4 enzymes. Echinacea appears to induce hepatic CYP3A4 but inhibit intestinal CYP3A4. In some cases, these effects might cancel each other out, but in others, drug levels may be increased or decreased depending on the level of effect at hepatic and intestinal sites. The effect of echinacea on CYP3A4 activity may differ depending on the CYP3A4 substrate.
Etoposide (Vepesid)
Echinacea may increase levels of etoposide.
In one report, concomitant use of etoposide and echinacea was associated with more severe thrombocytopenia than the use of etoposide alone, suggesting inhibition of etoposide metabolism. Etoposide is a cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrate. Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but some studies have reported inhibition of the enzyme.
Immunosuppressants
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy because of its immunostimulant activity.
Darunavir (Prezista)
Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of darunavir; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Darunavir is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and is administered with the CYP3A4 inhibitor ritonavir to increase its plasma concentrations. Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but administration of an E. purpurea root extract (Arkocapsulas Echinacea, Arkopharma) 500 mg four times daily for 14 days did not affect darunavir/ritonavir pharmacokinetics in 15 HIV-infected patients.
Dayquil Severe
Echinacea is reported to have varying effects on a number of Cytochrome P450 metabolizing enzymes in the liver, including CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, which play a role in acetaminophen and dextromethorphan metabolism (both contained in DayQuil Severe), respectively. Studies have reported both enzyme inhibition and induction, making it difficult to predict clinically significant drug interactions with reliability. Specific drug interaction studies reporting definitive results are rare, and potential drug interactions involving echinacea should likely be taken on a case-by-case basis. Based on what we know about how acetaminophen and dextromethorphan are metabolized, the risk of a clinically significant interaction between echinacea and DayQuil Severe is low.
Docetaxel (Taxotere)
Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of docetaxel; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Docetaxel is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but taking E. purpurea whole plant extract (Echinaforce, A. Vogel Biopharma AG) 20 drops three times daily for 2 weeks did not alter the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel in one clinical study.
Etravirine (Intelence)
Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of etravirine; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Etravirine is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but taking E. purpurea root extract (Arkocapsulas Echinacea, Arkopharma) 500 mg three times daily for 14 days did not alter the pharmacokinetics of etravirine in HIV-infected patients.
Lopinavir/Ritonavir (Kaletra)
Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of lopinavir; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Lopinavir is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and is administered with the CYP3A4 inhibitor ritonavir to increase its plasma concentrations. Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but taking E. purpurea (Echinamide, Natural Factors Nutritional Products, Inc.) 500 mg three times daily for 14 days did not alter the pharmacokinetics of lopinavir/ritonavir in healthy volunteers.
Midazolam (Versed)
Theoretically, echinacea may increase the metabolism of intravenous midazolam.
Echinacea induces hepatic CYP3A4 and might decrease plasma levels of midazolam by about 20%, reducing the effectiveness of intravenous midazolam. Echinacea also appears to inhibit intestinal CYP3A4, which could theoretically increase the bioavailability of oral midazolam. This may cancel out the decrease in availability caused by induction of hepatic CYP3A4, such that overall plasma levels after oral administration of midazolam are not affected by echinacea.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Echinacea seems to increase the clearance of warfarin, although the effect may not be clinically significant.
Preliminary clinical research in healthy male volunteers suggests that taking echinacea increases the clearance of the active S-isomer of warfarin after a single dose of warfarin, but there was not a clinically significant effect on the INR.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Echinacea 500 mg, from the product label.
herbscience
See all herbscience products- Name
- Windmill Consumer Products
- City
- West Caldwell
- State
- NJ
- ZipCode
- 07006
Echinacea 500 mg by herbscience: Common Questions
Does Echinacea 500 mg by herbscience interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Is echinacea safe to take if I'm pregnant?
What are the most common side effects?
Can echinacea cause serious problems?
Will echinacea affect my caffeine intake?
Does echinacea actually work for colds or immunity?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.
The Full Monographs Behind Echinacea 500 mg’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Sources & How We Checked
Echinacea 500 mg's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
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The 51 references behind this product’s interaction data
Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.
Echinacea 51 references
- Mullins RJ. Echinacea-associated anaphylaxis. Med J Aust 1998;168:170-1. PubMed
- Mullins RJ. Allergic reactions to Echinacea. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;104:S340-341 (Abstract 1003).
- Chavez ML, Chavez PI. Echinacea. Hosp Pharm 1998;33:180-8.
- Grimm W, Muller HH. A randomized controlled trial of the effect of fluid extract of Echinacea purpurea on the incidence and severity of colds and respiratory infections. Am J Med 1999;106:138-43. PubMed
- Taylor JA, Weber W, Standish L, et al. Efficacy and safety of echinacea in treating upper respiratory tract infections in children: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2003;290:2824-30.. PubMed
- Luettig B, Steinmuller C, Gifford GE, et al. Macrophage activation by the polysaccharide arabinogalactan isolated from plant cell cultures of Echinacea purpurea. J Natl Cancer Inst 1989;81:669-75. PubMed
- Stimpel M, Proksch A, Wagner H, et al. Macrophage activation and induction of macrophage cytotoxicity by purified polysaccharide fractions from the plant Echinacea purpurea. Infect Immun 1984;46:845-9. PubMed
- Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82. PubMed
- Gallo M, Sarkar M, Au W, et al. Pregnancy outcome following gestational exposure to echinacea: A prospective controlled study. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:3141-3. PubMed
- Soon SL, Crawford RI. Recurrent erythema nodosum associated with echinacea herbal therapy. J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;44:298-9. PubMed
- Mullins RJ, Heddle R. Adverse reactions associated with echinacea: the Australian experience. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2002;88:42-51. PubMed
- Logan JL, Ahmed J. Critical hypokalemic renal tubular acidosis due to Sjogren's syndrome: association with the purported immune stimulant echinacea. Clin Rheumatol 2003;22:158-9.
- Schulten B, Bulitta M, Ballering-Bruhl B, et al. Efficacy of Echinacea purpurea in patients with a common cold. A placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind clinical trial. Arzneimittelforschung 2001;51:563-8.. PubMed
- Yale SH, Glurich I. Analysis of the inhibitory potential of Ginkgo biloba, Echinacea purpurea, and Serenoa repens on the metabolic activity of cytochrome P450 3A4, 2D6, and 2C9. J Altern Complement Med 2005;11:433-9.
- Yale SH, Liu K. Echinacea purpurea therapy for the treatment of the common cold: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Arch Intern Med 2004;164:1237-41. PubMed
- Gorski JC, Huang S, Zaheer NA, et al. The effect of echinacea (Echinacea purpurea root) on cytochrome P450 activity in vivo.Clin Pharmacol Ther 2003;73 (Abstract PDII-A-8):P94. PubMed
- Lee AN, Werth VP. Activation of autoimmunity following use of immunostimulatory herbal supplements. Arch Dermatol 2004;140:723-7. PubMed
- Goel V, Lovlin R, Barton R, et al. Efficacy of a standardized echinacea preparation (Echinilin) for the treatment of the common cold: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Pharm Ther 2004;29:75-83.
- Barrett B. Medicinal properties of Echinacea: a critical review. Phytomedicine 2003;10:66-86. PubMed
- Huntley AL, Thompson Coon J, Ernst E. The safety of herbal medicinal products derived from Echinacea species: a systematic review. Drug Saf 2005;28:387-400. PubMed
- Turner RB, Bauer R, Woelkart K, et al. An evaluation of Echinacea angustifolia in experimental rhinovirus infections. N Engl J Med 2005;353:341-8.
- Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA, et al. In vivo assessment of botanical supplementation on human cytochrome P450 phenotypes: Citrus aurantium, Echinacea purpurea, milk thistle, and saw palmetto. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2004;76:428-40. .
- Perri D, Dugoua JJ, Mills E, Koren G. Safety and efficacy of echinacea (Echinacea augustafolia, e. purpurea and e. pallida) during pregnancy and lactation. Can J Clin Pharmacol 2006;13:e262-7.
- Kocaman O, Hulagu S, Senturk O. Echinacea-induced severe acute hepatitis with features of cholestatic autoimmune hepatitis. Eur J Intern Med 2008;19:148. PubMed
- Barrett B, Brown R, Rakel D. et al. Echinacea for treating the common cold: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 2010;153:769-77. PubMed
- Press Release: Echinacea herbal products should not be used in children under 12 years old. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (UK). August 20, 2012. Available at: www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON180627. (Accessed 21 October
- Barrett B, Brown R, Rakel D, Rabago D, et al. Placebo effects and the common cold: a randomized controlled trial. Ann.Fam.Med 2011;9:312-22. PubMed
- Haller J, Freund, TF, Pelczer, KG, et al. The anxiolytic potential and psychotropic side effects of an echinacea preparation in laboratory animals and healthy volunteers. Phytother.Res. 2013;27:54-61.
- Grbic J, Wexler I, Celenti R, et al. A phase II trial of a transmucosal herbal patch for the treatment of gingivitis. J Am Dent.Assoc. 2011;142:1168-75. PubMed
- Schapowal A, Berger D, Klein P, et al. Echinacea/sage or chlorhexidine/lidocaine for treating acute sore throats: a randomized double-blind trial. Eur.J Med Res 9-1-2009;14:406-12. PubMed
- Bossaer JB and Odle BL. Probable etoposide interaction with Echinacea. J.Diet.Suppl 2012;9:90-5.
- Abdul MI, Jiang X, Williams KM, et al. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of echinacea and policosanol with warfarin in healthy subjects. Br J Clin.Pharmacol. 2010;69:508-15. PubMed
- Kemp, D. E. and Franco, K. N. Possible leukopenia associated with long-term use of echinacea. J Am Board Fam.Pract. 2002;15(5):417-419.
- Liatsos, G., Elefsiniotis, I., Todorova, R., and Moulakakis, A. Severe thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) induced or exacerbated by the immunostimulatory herb Echinacea. Am J Hematol. 2006;81(3):224.
- Penzak, S. R., Robertson, S. M., Hunt, J. D., Chairez, C., Malati, C. Y., Alfaro, R. M., Stevenson, J. M., and Kovacs, J. A. Echinacea purpurea significantly induces cytochrome P450 3A activity but does not alter lopinavir-ritonavir exposure in healthy s
- Maskatia, Z. K. and Baker, K. Hypereosinophilia associated with echinacea use. South.Med J 2010;103(11):1173-1174. PubMed
- Parnham MJ. Benefit-risk assessment of the squeezed sap of the purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) for long-term oral immunostimulation. Phytomed 1996;3:95-102. PubMed
- Schroder-Aasen T, Molden G, Nilsen OG. In vitro inhibition of CYP3A4 by the multiherbal commercial product Sambucus Force and its main constituents Echinacea purpurea and Sambucus nigra. Phytother Res 2012;26(11):1606-13.
- Moltó J, Valle M, Miranda C, et al. Herb-drug interaction between Echinacea purpurea and darunavir-ritonavir in HIV-infected patients. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2011;55(1):326-30.
- Goey AK, Meijerman I, Rosing H, et al. The effect of Echinacea purpurea on the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2013;76(3):467-74.
- Moltó J, Valle M, Miranda C, et al. Herb-drug interaction between Echinacea purpurea and etravirine in HIV-infected patients. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2012;56(10):5328-31. PubMed
- Lawrenson JA, Walls T, Day AS. Echinacea-induced acute liver failure in a child. J Paediatr Child Health 2014;50(10):841.
- Hansen TS, Nilsen OG. In vitro CYP3A4 metabolism: inhibition by Echinacea purpurea and choice of substrate for the evaluation of herbal inhibition. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2008;103:445-9.
- Gabranis I, Koufakis T1, Papakrivos I, Batala S. Echinacea-associated acute cholestatic hepatitis. J Postgrad Med. 2015;61(3):211-2. PubMed
- Jalloh MA, Gregory PJ, Hein D, et al. Dietary supplement interactions with antiretrovirals: a systematic review. Int J STD AIDS. 2017 Jan;28(1):4-15. PubMed
- Karsch-Völk M, Barrett B, Kiefer D, Bauer R, Ardjomand-Woelkart K, Linde K. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2014;(2):CD000530. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000530.pub3. PubMed
- Hoban CL, Byard RW, Musgrave IF. Analysis of spontaneous adverse drug reactions to echinacea, valerian, black cohosh and ginkgo in Australia from 2000 to 2015. J Integr Med. 2019;17(5):338-343. PubMed
- Ogal M, Johnston SL, Klein P, Schoop R. Echinacea reduces antibiotic usage in children through respiratory tract infection prevention: a randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial. Eur J Med Res. 2021 Apr 8;26(1):33. PubMed
- Lopresti AL, Smith SJ. An investigation into the anxiety-relieving and mood-enhancing effects of Echinacea angustifolia (EP107 ™): A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Affect Disord 2021;293:229-237.
- Weishaupt R, Buchkov A, Kolev E, Klein P, Schoop R. Reduction of viral load in patients with acute sore throats: Results from an observational clinical trial with Echinacea / Salvia lozenges [published online ahead of print, 2023 Mar 8]. Complement Med Re
- Sumer J, Keckeis K, Scanferla G, et al. Novel Echinacea formulations for the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections in adults-A randomized blinded controlled trial. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023;10:948787. PubMed
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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.
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