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Dietary supplement

Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Viva Vitamins

Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Echinacea Golden Seal 400 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

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg is a dietary supplement by Viva Vitamins with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for common cold, flu and respiratory infections, immune support.Based on those ingredients, 1,336 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Goldenseal, Echinacea purpurea. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg by Viva Vitamins

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg by Viva Vitamins — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg by Viva Vitamins

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.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 23, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg contains two active ingredients: echinacea purpurea (a purple coneflower used traditionally to support immune function) and goldenseal (an herb whose root contains alkaloids believed to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties). The capsule also holds rice flour and gelatin as inactive ingredients to form and stabilize the capsule.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: prevent or reduce cold and flu duration.
  • We looked for evidence on: Influenza, Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Respiratory tract infections, Common cold, Immune function, Viral infection.
  • The closest evidence on file: Goldenseal is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Respiratory tract infections (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Echinacea is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Influenza.

The evidence we hold does not establish effectiveness for echinacea in anxiety, athletic performance, attention issues (ADHD), burns, chronic fatigue syndrome, or migraine headache—each is rated as having insufficient reliable evidence. Similarly, for goldenseal, evidence is insufficient to rate its use for acne, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), anorexia nervosa, or chronic fatigue syndrome.

Goldenseal is rated possibly ineffective for masking urine drug tests.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Echinacea Goldenseal

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 2 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Echinacea is generally well tolerated for short-term use but can cause mild gastrointestinal side effects like abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and upset stomach, as well as rashes. Allergic reactions—including severe ones like anaphylaxis—have been reported, especially in people sensitive to ragweed and related plants (chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies).

Rare cases of liver inflammation (hepatitis) have also been reported. Goldenseal has limited human safety data and is generally used only short-term.

It may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, headache, and bitter taste. The safety data advises against goldenseal during pregnancy because berberine (its active alkaloid) may harm the fetus and trigger contractions, and also advises against it while breastfeeding because berberine may pass to your infant.

For echinacea, pregnancy data indicate it is possibly safe, but there is not enough reliable safety information, so it is best to avoid unless your doctor approves.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Echinacea Goldenseal

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 2 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Goldenseal, Echinacea.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications; heart-rhythm medications.
  • For scale: 1,337 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take blood thinners (anticoagulants like warfarin), diabetes medications, blood pressure medications, heart or cancer drugs that depend on liver metabolism, immunosuppressants, sedatives (CNS depressants), caffeine supplements or heavy caffeine intake, or etoposide (a chemotherapy drug). Goldenseal and echinacea both inhibit liver enzymes that process many medications, and the direction and magnitude of these effects can be unpredictable.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

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.

This two-ingredient formula may be worth considering if you're interested in traditional immune or antimicrobial support, but it carries real risks with many medications—particularly those metabolized by your liver's CYP enzymes, blood thinners, diabetes drugs, and immune-suppressing medications. Anyone taking prescription drugs should check their specific medications against the tool on this page before starting.

Pregnant or breastfeeding people should talk with their doctor or pharmacist before using it, especially the goldenseal component.

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 Oct 23, 2020.

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

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Viva Vitamins
Barcode (UPC) 726899921744
Net contents 100 Cap(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 23, 2020
DSLD ID 237981
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free
From the label
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 Golden Seal 400 mg by Viva Vitamins, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
100
UPC/BARCODE
726899921744
IngredientAmount% DV
Echinacea purpurea200 mg--
Goldenseal200 mg--

Other ingredients: Rice Flour, Gelatin

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, adults take one or more capsules daily with meals or as directed by a health professional.

Formula

Echinacea and Golden Seal provide a strong defense when it comes to preventing or reducing the duration of a cold or flu. Additionally, Golden Seal has been known to have blood purifying capabilities.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place and away from direct light.

Precautions

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal under cap is broken or missing.

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.

Formulation

To support a healthy immune system

Free of: Gluten, milk, soy, salt, sugar, yeast, wheat, corn, egg, fish products, artificial coloring, flavoring, or preservatives.

Made in the USA

Non-GMO

Manufactured in an NSF - GMP Certified facility

General Statements

We always use the highest quality ingredients Premium formulas

For more information, visit www.VivaVitamins.com

In God we trust

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

2018 Manufactured exclusively for Viva Vitamins

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg by Viva Vitamins label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg label

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)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg by Viva Vitamins

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container100 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 with
816 drugs
200 mg per serving

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 & interactions

Goldenseal

Interacts with
1,237 drugs
200 mg per serving

Goldenseal is a popular North American herb that contains berberine, a compound studied for antimicrobial effects. However, strong human evidence for...

Goldenseal monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Rice Flour, Gelatin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg by Viva Vitamins Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Echinacea Golden Seal 400 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 checker
1,336Drugs
1,334 Moderate 2 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Goldenseal 1,237
Echinacea purpurea 816

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg interact with 1,336 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

2 of the 2 ingredients in Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Goldenseal Echinacea purpurea

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Goldenseal16 drug types · 1,237 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Goldenseal contains berberine. In vitro and animal research shows that berberine can inhibit platelet aggregation. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used with antidiabetes drugs.
Goldenseal contains berberine. Clinical research shows that berberine can lower blood glucose levels. However, this effect has not been reported with goldenseal.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase the risk of hypotension when taken with antihypertensive drugs.
Goldenseal contains berberine. Animal research shows that berberine can have hypotensive effects. Also, an analysis of clinical research shows that taking berberine in combination with amlodipine can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure when compared with amlodipine alone. However, this effect has not been reported with goldenseal.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cns Depressants

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase the sedative effects of CNS depressants.
Goldenseal contains berberine. Animal research shows that berberine can have sedative effects. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
In vitro research shows that goldenseal root extract can modestly inhibit CYP2C9. This effect may be due to its alkaloid constituents, hydrastine and berberine. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Goldenseal might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
Clinical and in vitro research shows that goldenseal can significantly inhibit CYP2D6 enzymes, potentially increasing levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Cytochrome P450 2E1 (Cyp2E1) Substrates

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2E1.
In vitro research shows that goldenseal root extract can inhibit the activity of CYP2E1. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Goldenseal might increase serum levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Most clinical and in vitro research shows that goldenseal inhibits CYP3A4 enzyme activity and increases serum levels of CYP3A4 substrates, such as midazolam. However, in one small clinical study, goldenseal did not affect the levels of indinavir, a CYP3A4 substrate, in healthy volunteers. This is likely due to the fact that indinavir has a high oral bioavailability, making it an inadequate probe for CYP3A4 interactions and/or that it is primarily metabolized by hepatic CYP3A, while goldenseal has more potential to inhibit intestinal CYP3A enzyme activity. Both goldenseal extract and its isolated constituents berberine and hydrastine inhibit CYP3A, with hydrastine possibly having more inhibitory potential than berberine.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Dextromethorphan (Robitussin Dm, Others)

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase serum levels of dextromethorphan.
Goldenseal contains berberine. A small clinical study shows that berberine can inhibit cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) activity and reduce the metabolism of dextromethorphan.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Goldenseal might increase serum levels of digoxin, although this effect is unlikely to be clinically significant.
Clinical research shows that goldenseal modestly increases digoxin peak levels by about 14% in healthy volunteers. However, goldenseal does not seem to affect other pharmacokinetic parameters such as area under the curve (AUC). This suggests that goldenseal does not cause a clinically significant interaction with digoxin. Digoxin is a P-glycoprotein substrate. Some evidence suggests that goldenseal constituents might affect P-glycoprotein; however, it is unclear whether these constituents inhibit or induce P-glycoprotein.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Losartan (Cozaar)

Theoretically, goldenseal might decrease the conversion of losartan to its active form.
Goldenseal contains berberine. A small clinical study shows that berberine inhibits cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) activity and reduces the metabolism of losartan. However, this effect has not been reported with goldenseal.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Metformin (Glucophage)

Theoretically, goldenseal might reduce blood levels of metformin.
In vitro research shows that goldenseal extract decreases the bioavailability of metformin, likely by interfering with transport, intestinal permeability, or other processes involved in metformin absorption. It is unclear which, if any, of metformin's transporters are inhibited by goldenseal. Goldenseal does not appear to alter the clearance or half-life of metformin.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
P-Glycoprotein Substrates

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase or decrease serum levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates.
There is conflicting evidence about the effect of goldenseal on P-gp. In vitro research suggests that berberine, a constituent of goldenseal, modestly inhibits P-gp efflux. Other evidence suggests that berberine induces P-gp. In healthy volunteers, goldenseal modestly increases peak levels of the P-gp substrate digoxin by about 14%. However, it does not seem to affect other pharmacokinetic parameters such as area under the curve (AUC). This suggests that goldenseal is not a potent inhibitor of P-gp-mediated drug efflux. Until more is known, goldenseal should be used cautiously with P-gp substrates.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase the sedative effects of pentobarbital.
Animal research shows that berberine, a constituent of goldenseal, can prolong pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. However, this effect has not been reported with goldenseal.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Tacrolimus (Prograf)

Theoretically, goldenseal might increase serum levels of tacrolimus.
Goldenseal contains berberine. In a 16-year-old patient with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who was being treated with tacrolimus 6.5 mg twice daily, intake of berberine 200 mg three times daily increased the blood concentration of tacrolimus from 8 to 22 ng/mL. Following a reduction of tacrolimus dosing to 3 mg daily, blood levels of tacrolimus decreased to 12 ng/mL.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

Theoretically, goldenseal might reduce the therapeutic effects of oseltamivir by decreasing its conversion to its active form.
In vitro evidence suggests that goldenseal reduces the formation of the active compound from the prodrug oseltamivir. The mechanism of action and clinical relevance is unclear.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Goldenseal full monograph & interactions

Echinacea purpurea12 drug types · 816 drugs

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.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy because of its immunostimulant activity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence A
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.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Echinacea purpurea full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg, from the product label.

Viva Vitamins

Name
Viva Vitamins
Web Address
www.VivaVitamins.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg by Viva Vitamins: Common Questions

Does Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg by Viva Vitamins interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg has a known interaction with 1,336 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is this safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Echinacea is rated possibly safe in pregnancy, but there is not enough reliable safety data, so it is best to avoid unless your doctor approves. Goldenseal, however, should not be used in pregnancy because berberine (its active ingredient) may harm the fetus and could trigger contractions. Do not use goldenseal while breastfeeding either, as berberine may pass to your infant. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you.
What are the most common side effects?
Echinacea most commonly causes mild stomach problems like abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, and rashes. Goldenseal may cause similar gastrointestinal effects—abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, headache, and a bitter taste. Most people who take echinacea tolerate it well in the short term.
Can I take this if I'm allergic to ragweed?
You should be cautious. Echinacea can trigger allergic reactions—including severe ones—especially in people sensitive to ragweed and related plants like chrysanthemums, daisies, and marigolds. If you have a known ragweed allergy, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product.
Will this product help me avoid a failed drug test?
No. Goldenseal is rated possibly ineffective for masking urine drug tests, meaning it is not expected to help you pass one.
How long is it safe to take this product?
Echinacea is generally well tolerated for short-term use, but the evidence is limited for long-term safety. Goldenseal has even more limited human safety data and is typically used only short-term by healthy adults. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how long is appropriate for you.
Can this product cause liver problems?
Rare cases of liver inflammation (hepatitis) have been reported with echinacea, though this is uncommon. If you develop yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe abdominal pain while taking this product, stop and contact your doctor or pharmacist right away.

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.

Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Echinacea Golden Seal 400 mg’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Echinacea

Interacts with 816 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 best. It is generally well tolerated for sh...

Read the full Echinacea monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Goldenseal

Interacts with 1,237 drugs

Goldenseal is a popular North American herb that contains berberine, a compound studied for antimicrobial effects. However, strong human evidence for its many traditional uses is largely lac...

Read the full Goldenseal monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Echinacea Golden Seal 400 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.

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 85 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
  1. Mullins RJ. Echinacea-associated anaphylaxis. Med J Aust 1998;168:170-1. PubMed
  2. Mullins RJ. Allergic reactions to Echinacea. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;104:S340-341 (Abstract 1003).
  3. Chavez ML, Chavez PI. Echinacea. Hosp Pharm 1998;33:180-8.
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
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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.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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