Echinacea Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by BIOVEA
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Echinacea 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 is a dietary supplement by BIOVEA with 1 active ingredient. 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 organic fresh and dry Echinacea. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Echinacea by BIOVEA
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Echinacea by BIOVEA — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.
AI summaries are generated from our interaction database for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Echinacea by BIOVEA
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 one active ingredient: organic fresh and dry Echinacea. It comes as a liquid, which means it's mixed with grain alcohol and deionized water as inactive ingredients to preserve and dissolve the herb.
Does it work?
Couldn't assess
The evidence on echinacea's effectiveness for the conditions listed in our data — anxiety, athletic performance, ADHD, burns, chronic fatigue, and migraine headache — is insufficient to rate. That means the studies we have don't establish whether it works or doesn't.
If you're considering echinacea for a specific purpose, ask your pharmacist or doctor whether there's evidence backing its use for your situation.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Echinacea is generally well tolerated when taken short-term. The most common side effects are mild stomach issues — abdominal pain, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation — and rashes.
Because it can trigger allergic reactions, especially in people sensitive to ragweed, chrysanthemums, or related plants, you should be cautious if you have those allergies. Rare but serious effects include severe allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) and hepatitis (liver inflammation); one case involved a person taking 1500 mg of echinacea root daily for about two weeks.
There isn't enough safety data on echinacea in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so talk with your doctor before use if you're pregnant or nursing.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Check your medications before using BIOVEA Echinacea if you take anything metabolized by CYP1A2 (caffeine and some others), drugs broken down by CYP3A4 (a very large group), the cancer drug etoposide, or immunosuppressants. Minor caution applies to warfarin and lopinavir/ritonavir.
Your pharmacist can look up your exact medications using the tool on this page.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
If you're thinking about echinacea, check your medications first — especially anything for caffeine sensitivity, immune suppression, or cancer treatment. The fact that it can raise caffeine levels and interfere with immune medications matters if either applies to you.
Because the evidence on what it actually does isn't established and allergic reactions are possible, run this by your pharmacist before you start.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Aug 23, 2021.
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, straight from the product label.
| Brand | BIOVEA |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 818423022093 |
| Net contents | 1 fl. Oz.; 30 mL |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Aug 23, 2021 |
| DSLD ID | 249110 |
| Product type | Botanical |
| Supplement form | Liquid |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Women (not pregnant or lactating), Gluten Free |
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 by BIOVEA, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| organic fresh and dry Echinacea | 500 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Grain Alcohol, deionized Water
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.
Seals/Symbols
GMP Compliant
K Parve K-1604 (Kosher)
Formulation
Non-GMO Gluten free
General Statements
Premium quality guaranteed since 2001. BIOVEA is committed to product quality to support you and your family's wellness goals. Because we feel so strongly about the quality, potency and purity of our products, we 100% guarantee your satisfaction with every purchase.
Guaranteed premium quality
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Suggested Daily Intake: Take 30 drops, 1-3 times per day, or as needed in juice or water.
Shake well before using.
Precautions
Warning: Do not take during pregnancy.
Keep out of reach of children.
Do not use this product if the safety seal on the bottle is broken.
Formula
K Parve K-1604 (Kosher)
FDA Statement of Identity
Herbal Supplement
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Echinacea by BIOVEA 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 by BIOVEA
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.
Organic fresh and dry Echinacea
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...
Organic fresh and dry Echinacea monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Grain Alcohol, Deionized Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Echinacea by BIOVEA Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
BIOVEA Echinacea is a single-ingredient liquid supplement that does interact with a number of medications.
The most serious concern is echinacea's effect on drugs metabolized by CYP1A2 enzymes — it can slow their breakdown and raise their blood levels. The clearest example is caffeine; echinacea may increase caffeine levels by around 30%, which could amplify caffeine's effects like jitteriness or sleep trouble.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Echinacea also affects drugs broken down by CYP3A4 enzymes (a major metabolic pathway), though the picture is mixed — it may speed up or slow down metabolism depending on where the drug is processed in your body. One notable exception: echinacea may increase levels of the cancer drug etoposide, raising the risk of a serious side effect.
Additionally, echinacea can interfere with immunosuppressant medications because it stimulates your immune system, potentially working against the drug's intended effect.
Minor interactions have been documented with the blood thinner warfarin and the HIV medication lopinavir/ritonavir, though the clinical impact appears small. Altogether, these interactions span 803 individual medications.
Use the medication checker on this page to look up your specific drugs before you start.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Echinacea?
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 interact with 816 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 1 ingredient in Echinacea interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. organic fresh and dry Echinacea
Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, PentobarbitalMicomp PB
How Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates, Caffeine +1 Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital interactionBelladonna, Ergotamine Tartrate, Phenobarbital
How Belladonna, Ergotamine Tartrate, Phenobarbital interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Belladonna, Ergotamine Tartrate, Phenobarbital interactionBelladonna, Ergotamine, PhenobarbitalBellergal-S
How Belladonna, Ergotamine, Phenobarbital interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Belladonna, Ergotamine, Phenobarbital interactionBellafoline, Caffeine, Ergotamine Tartrate, PentobarbitalCafergot PB
How Bellafoline, Caffeine, Ergotamine Tartrate, Pentobarbital interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry 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 Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Bellafoline, Caffeine, Ergotamine Tartrate, Pentobarbital interactionBelumosudil MesylateRezurock
How Belumosudil Mesylate interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Belumosudil Mesylate interactionBendamustineBelrapzo, Treanda, Vivimusta
How Bendamustine interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry 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 Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Bendamustine interactionBendamustine HydrochlorideBendeka
How Bendamustine Hydrochloride interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry 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 Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Bendamustine Hydrochloride interactionBenzhydrocodone, AcetaminophenApadaz
How Benzhydrocodone, Acetaminophen interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry 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 Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Benzhydrocodone, Acetaminophen interactionBepridilVascor
How Bepridil interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Bepridil interactionBetamethasoneCelestone, Diprolene AF, Diprosone
How Betamethasone interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Betamethasone interactionBetamethasone DipropionateSernivo
How Betamethasone Dipropionate interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Betamethasone Dipropionate interactionBetamethasone Dipropionate, CalcipotrieneEnstilar, Wynzora
How Betamethasone Dipropionate, Calcipotriene interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Betamethasone Dipropionate, Calcipotriene interactionBetamethasone ValerateLuxiq
How Betamethasone Valerate interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Betamethasone Valerate interactionBexaroteneTargretin
How Bexarotene interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Bexarotene interactionBictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir AlafenamideBiktarvy
How Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interactionBimekizumab-bkzxBimzelx
How Bimekizumab-bkzx interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Bimekizumab-bkzx interactionBoceprevirVictrelis
How Boceprevir interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Boceprevir interactionBosentanTracleer
How Bosentan interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Bosentan interactionBosutinibBosulif
How Bosutinib interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Bosutinib interactionBrentuximab VedotinAdcetris
How Brentuximab Vedotin interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Brentuximab Vedotin interactionBrexpiprazoleRexulti
How Brexpiprazole interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Brexpiprazole interactionBrigatinibAlunbrig
How Brigatinib interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Brigatinib interactionBromocriptineParlodel
How Bromocriptine interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Bromocriptine interactionBudenosidePulmicort Flexhaler, Pulmicort Turbuhaler
How Budenoside interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Budenoside interactionBudesonideEntocort EC, Eohilia, Pulmicort, Tarpeyo, Uceris
How Budesonide interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Budesonide interactionBuprenorphineBrixadi, Butrans, Sublocade, Subutex
How Buprenorphine interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Buprenorphine interactionBuprenorphine HydrochlorideBelbuca, Probuphine
How Buprenorphine Hydrochloride interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Buprenorphine Hydrochloride interactionBuprenorphine Hydrochloride, Naloxone HydrochlorideBunavail
How Buprenorphine Hydrochloride, Naloxone Hydrochloride interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Buprenorphine Hydrochloride, Naloxone Hydrochloride interactionBuprenorphine, NaloxoneCassipa, Zubsolv
How Buprenorphine, Naloxone interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Buprenorphine, Naloxone interactionBuprenorphine/naloxoneSuboxone
How Buprenorphine/naloxone interacts with Echinacea — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Organic Fresh And Dry EchinaceaCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Organic Fresh And Dry Echinacea + Buprenorphine/naloxone interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Echinacea 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.
organic fresh and dry Echinacea
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, from the product label.
BIOVEA
See all BIOVEA products- Name
- BIOVEA
- Street Address
- 9160 E. Bahia Dr.
- City
- Scottsdale
- State
- AZ
- ZipCode
- 85260
- Web Address
- www.biovea.com
Echinacea by BIOVEA: Common Questions
Does Echinacea by BIOVEA interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Can I take this if I'm allergic to ragweed?
What are the side effects I might notice?
Is it safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Will this actually help with my condition?
Why does echinacea interact with so many drugs?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Echinacea is safe with your meds?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
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’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Sources & How We Checked
Echinacea'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.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.
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
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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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