Echinacea Complex 250 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by 21st Century
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Echinacea Complex 250 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 Complex 250 mg is a dietary supplement by 21st Century 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 Echinacea Blend. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Echinacea Complex 250 mg by 21st Century
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Echinacea Complex 250 mg by 21st Century — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Echinacea Complex 250 mg by 21st Century
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
Echinacea Complex contains one active ingredient: an echinacea blend at 250 mg per capsule. Echinacea is a plant preparation used traditionally to support immune function.
The capsule also contains inactive ingredients—oat fiber, rice bran, cellulose, magnesium silicate, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide—which serve as fillers and binders.
Does it work?
Not established
The evidence supporting echinacea for the conditions listed in the data we hold—anxiety, athletic performance, ADHD, burns, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraine headache—is insufficient to rate. That means there isn't enough reliable research to say whether it works for these uses.
If you're considering echinacea for a specific health goal, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what the current evidence shows for your particular situation.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Echinacea is generally well tolerated in the short term, but allergic reactions are a real concern, especially if you're sensitive to ragweed or related plants in the daisy family (like chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies). Common side effects are mild—abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, rashes, and stomach upset.
Rare but serious adverse effects have been reported, including severe allergic reactions (up to anaphylaxis) and hepatitis (liver inflammation). Because evidence on long-term safety is limited, it's wise to use echinacea only if your doctor approves.
For pregnancy, the data rates echinacea as possibly safe, but there isn't enough information on breastfeeding—talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice if you're pregnant or nursing.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you're on etoposide (a cancer medication), any CYP1A2 or CYP3A4 substrate drugs (including certain HIV medications and sedatives), immunosuppressants, warfarin, or caffeine-containing medications or supplements. These are the drug types with documented interactions.
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 Complex is worth considering if you want immune support and have talked it over with your doctor, especially since it's generally well tolerated short-term. However, if you take any prescription medications—particularly cancer drugs, blood thinners, HIV medications, sedatives, immunosuppressants, or anything metabolized by your liver—you need to check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
If you're allergic to ragweed or daisy-family plants, skip it. Use the medication checker below or ask your healthcare provider 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, 2019.
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 Complex 250 mg, straight from the product label.
| Brand | 21st Century |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 740985216910 |
| Net contents | 200 Vegetarian Capsule(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Aug 23, 2019 |
| DSLD ID | 205815 |
| Product type | Botanical |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), 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 Complex 250 mg by 21st Century, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Echinacea Blend | 250 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Oat Fiber, Rice Bran, Cellulose, Magnesium Silicate, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Contains <2% of
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.
Formula
Echinacea Complex combines benefits of both Echinacea purpurea extract and Echinacea angustifolia and their polyphenols, to support the immune system.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Directions: As a herbal supplement, adults take two (2) capsules daily with any meal or as directed by a healthcare provider. Do not exceed recommended dosage.
Precautions
Do not exceed recommended dosage.
Warning: Consult a healthcare provider prior to use if pregnant, nursing, on medications, have a medical condition or are planning a medical procedure.
Stop use and contact a physician if adverse reactions occur.
Keep out of reach of children.
Do not use if product appears to be tampered with or seal is broken.
General Statements
Individual results may vary.
Per Daily Serving
Immune System Support
Storage
Store at room temperature.
Formulation
No added Sugar, Salt, Yeast, Preservatives, Artificial Flavors or Colors.
100% Vegetarian.
Gluten free
FDA Disclaimer Statement
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
FDA Statement of Identity
Herbal Supplement
Seals/Symbols
Gluten free
Guaranteed quality Laboratory tested
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Echinacea Complex 250 mg by 21st Century 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 Complex 250 mg by 21st Century
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size2 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container100 Amounts shown are per serving.
Echinacea Blend
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 Blend monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Oat Fiber, Rice Bran, Cellulose, Magnesium Silicate, Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Contains <2% of. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Echinacea Complex 250 mg by 21st Century Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Echinacea Complex by 21st Century does interact with medications, primarily through its effects on how your liver and intestines process drugs.
The most serious documented concern is a Moderate-severity interaction with etoposide (a cancer drug), where echinacea may raise etoposide levels and increase the risk of a dangerous drop in blood platelets (thrombocytopenia).
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Echinacea also has Moderate-severity interactions with drugs broken down by CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 enzymes—two major pathways your body uses to clear medications. It can boost caffeine levels by around 30%, and it may unpredictably increase or decrease levels of other drugs in these categories, including some HIV medications and sedatives.
Additionally, echinacea can interfere with immunosuppressant medications (drugs that dampen your immune system) because of its immune-stimulating activity.
There are also Minor-severity interactions with warfarin (a blood thinner) and certain HIV and sedative drugs, though the clinical significance of these is less certain. Altogether, these interactions span 817 individual medications.
Before you start echinacea, run it through the medication checker on this page with your exact prescriptions, or talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's safe for you to use alongside what you're taking.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Echinacea Complex 250 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 Complex 250 mg interact with 816 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 1 ingredient in Echinacea Complex 250 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Echinacea Blend
Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, SalicylamideRhinogesic, Rhinogesic JR
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, Salicylamide interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylephrine, Salicylamide interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, PhenylpropanolamineAlumadrine, Conex, Sinadrin Max Strength, Sinulin
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine, OpiumHista-Derfule
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine, Opium interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine, Opium interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine, PhenyltoloxamineNorel Plus
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine, Phenyltoloxamine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Phenylpropanolamine, Phenyltoloxamine interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, PseudoephedrineAlka-Seltzer PLUS Liquid Gels, Children's Tylenol Cold, Codimal, Comtrex, Extra Strength Tylenol Allergy Sinus, Lorsin +3 more
How Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Pseudoephedrine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Chlorpheniramine, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, ChlorzoxazoneAcetazone Forte, Extra Strength Tylenol Aches & Strains, Parafon Forte
How Acetaminophen, Chlorzoxazone interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Chlorzoxazone interactionAcetaminophen, Chlorzoxazone, CodeineAcetazone Forte C8, Parafon Forte C8
How Acetaminophen, Chlorzoxazone, Codeine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Chlorzoxazone, Codeine interactionAcetaminophen, CodeineTylenol No.3, Tylenol w/ Codeine
How Acetaminophen, Codeine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Codeine interactionAcetaminophen, Codeine, DoxylamineMersyndol
How Acetaminophen, Codeine, Doxylamine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Codeine, Doxylamine interactionAcetaminophen, Codeine, MethocarbamolAcetaminophen, Codeine, Methocarbamol, Robaxacet 8
How Acetaminophen, Codeine, Methocarbamol interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Codeine, Methocarbamol interactionAcetaminophen, Dexbrompheniramine, PseudoephedrineSinadrin Plus
How Acetaminophen, Dexbrompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Dexbrompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, DextromethorphanTylenol Cough Ex Strength
How Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan interactionAcetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, PseudoephedrineVicks NyQuil
How Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates, Cytochrome P450 1a2 (cyp1a2) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Blend + Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, PhenylephrineConar-A
How Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine interactionAcetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, PhenylpropanolamineAnatuss
How Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylpropanolamine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylpropanolamine interactionAcetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, PseudoephedrineRobitussin Cold, Severe Cold, Suphedrine Cold/Cough
How Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Pseudoephedrine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, PyrilamineTheracaps
How Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Phenylpropanolamine, Pyrilamine interactionAcetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, PseudoephedrineAlka-Seltzer PLUS Flu Liquid Gels, Non Aspirin Cold Caps, Tylenol Cold, Tylenol Flu Daytime Ex Strength, Tylenol Flu Ex Strength
How Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, Dichloralantipyrine, IsomethepteneAmidrine, Midchlor, Migquin, Migratine
How Acetaminophen, Dichloralantipyrine, Isometheptene interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Dichloralantipyrine, Isometheptene interactionAcetaminophen, Dichloralphenazone, IsomethepteneMidrin
How Acetaminophen, Dichloralphenazone, Isometheptene interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Dichloralphenazone, Isometheptene interactionAcetaminophen, Dichlorophenazone, IsometheptaneIsocom
How Acetaminophen, Dichlorophenazone, Isometheptane interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Dichlorophenazone, Isometheptane interactionAcetaminophen, DiphenhydramineTylenol PM, Tylenol PM Ex Strength
How Acetaminophen, Diphenhydramine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Diphenhydramine interactionAcetaminophen, Diphenhydramine, PseudoephedrineChildren's Tylenol Allergy, Cold Control, Contac Night Allergy Relief
How Acetaminophen, Diphenhydramine, Pseudoephedrine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Diphenhydramine, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, Doxylamine, PseudoephedrineEx Strength Tylenol Sinus Nighttime
How Acetaminophen, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Doxylamine, Pseudoephedrine interactionAcetaminophen, HydrocodoneAnexsia, Anodynos DHC, Azdone, Co-Gesic, Doucet, Lorcet +9 more
How Acetaminophen, Hydrocodone interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Hydrocodone interactionAcetaminophen, IbuprofenCombogesic
How Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen interactionAcetaminophen, MeperidineDemerol APAP
How Acetaminophen, Meperidine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Meperidine interactionAcetaminophen, MethocarbamolRobaxacet
How Acetaminophen, Methocarbamol interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Methocarbamol interactionAcetaminophen, OrphenadrineOrfenagesic
How Acetaminophen, Orphenadrine interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Orphenadrine interactionAcetaminophen, OxycodonePercocet, Roxicet, Tylox, Xartemis XR
How Acetaminophen, Oxycodone interacts with Echinacea Complex 250 mg — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea BlendCytochrome 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 Blend + Acetaminophen, Oxycodone interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Echinacea Complex 250 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 Blend
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 Complex 250 mg, from the product label.
21st Century
See all 21st Century products- Name
- 21st Century HealthCare, Inc.
- Street Address
- 2119 S. Wilson St.
- City
- Tempe
- State
- AZ
- ZipCode
- 85282
- Web Address
- www.21stcenturyvitamins.com
Echinacea Complex 250 mg by 21st Century: Common Questions
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The Full Monographs Behind Echinacea Complex 250 mg’s Ingredients
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Sources & How We Checked
Echinacea Complex 250 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.
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
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- 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.
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- 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.
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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