Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 mg Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nutricost

Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 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 & Goldenseal Root 500 mg against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 mg is a dietary supplement by Nutricost with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestive upset and diarrhea, colds and respiratory infections, sore throat and mouth sores.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 Whole Plant Extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

Jump to a section

Check Your Meds Against Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 mg by Nutricost

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 mg by Nutricost — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 mg by Nutricost

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.

This product contains 2 active ingredients: goldenseal root and echinacea whole plant extract, each at 500 mg per capsule. The formula also includes inactive ingredients — hypromellose (a capsule material), rice flour, magnesium stearate, and silica — which serve as fillers and binders.

Does it work?

Insufficient evidence
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
Insufficient

There isn't enough reliable clinical evidence to rate this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Immune support for colds and respiratory infections.
  • We looked for evidence on: Influenza, Respiratory tract infections, Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), Tonsillitis, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Sore throat — and 2 related terms.
  • 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, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The evidence we hold doesn't establish that either ingredient works for any specific condition. Goldenseal has insufficient reliable evidence to rate for acne, hay fever, anorexia nervosa, and chronic fatigue syndrome, and is rated possibly ineffective for urine drug tests.

Echinacea is similarly unproven — insufficient evidence for anxiety, athletic performance, ADHD, burns, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraine headaches. If you're considering this product for a health goal, talk with your doctor about whether the evidence supports it for your situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Goldenseal Echinacea

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.

Goldenseal is used short-term by healthy adults, but human safety data are limited. The most common side effects from its berberine content include abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, flatulence, bitter taste, nausea, and headache — though these haven't been reported in clinical trials of goldenseal itself.

Echinacea is generally well tolerated and may cause abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, rashes, or stomach upset. Serious but rare side effects with echinacea include severe allergic reactions and hepatitis, particularly in people sensitive to ragweed and related plants.

Goldenseal is likely unsafe during pregnancy because berberine may harm the fetus and trigger contractions, and should be avoided while breastfeeding since berberine may pass to your infant. Echinacea is rated possibly safe in pregnancy, but lactation safety data aren't on file.

Because of goldenseal's pregnancy and breastfeeding concerns, anyone who is pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should talk with their doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Goldenseal Echinacea

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 CNS depressants (sleeping pills, sedatives), blood pressure medication, blood thinners, diabetes drugs, or immunosuppressants — all moderate interactions with goldenseal. Also check if you take caffeine pills or large amounts of caffeine, drugs processed by your liver's CYP3A4 pathway (including some HIV and chemotherapy medications), or any medication broken down by CYP2D6 or CYP2C9 enzymes.

If you take etoposide (a chemotherapy drug), mention this product to your oncology team.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with insufficient evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This combination may be worth considering if you and your doctor agree one or both ingredients fit your health needs — but the evidence for either ingredient's effectiveness isn't established in the data we hold. The real barrier is medication interactions: if you take any prescription drugs, blood pressure medication, blood thinners, diabetes medication, immunosuppressants, or chemotherapy, you need to check your exact medications with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

Goldenseal is off-limits during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

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 Jan 24, 2024.

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 & Goldenseal Root 500 mg, straight from the product label.

Brand Nutricost
Barcode (UPC) 702669936415
Net contents 240 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 24, 2024
DSLD ID 306211
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten 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 & Goldenseal Root 500 mg by Nutricost, 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
240
UPC/BARCODE
702669936415
IngredientAmount% DV
Goldenseal250 mg--
Echinacea Whole Plant Extract250 mg--

Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate, Silica

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

Suggested use: As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule daily with 8-12 oz of water or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Formulation

Third party tested

Non-GMO Gluten free

Made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.

Vegetarian Product

Non-GMO product

Precautions

Warning: For healthy individuals 18 years and older.

Consult a healthcare professional prior to use if you are pregnant or nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal is broken or missing.

Storage

Notice: Store in a cool, dry place.

Formula

Echinacea & Golden seal Root 500 mg per serving

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Nutricost Quality Guaranteed Vegetarian Product GMP Compliant Facility

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.

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

See for yourself

Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 mg by Nutricost label

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

Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 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 & Goldenseal Root 500 mg by Nutricost

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 container240 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.

Goldenseal

Interacts with
1,237 drugs
250 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

Echinacea Whole Plant Extract

Interacts with
816 drugs
250 mg per serving Form: Echinacea purpurea Whole Plant Extract

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 Whole Plant Extract monograph & interactions

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

Interaction report

Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 mg by Nutricost Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 mg?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
1,336Drugs
1,334 Moderate 2 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Goldenseal 1,237
Echinacea Whole Plant Extract 816

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 mg interact with 1,336 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

2 of the 2 ingredients in Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 mg interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Goldenseal Echinacea Whole Plant Extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 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 Whole Plant Extract12 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 Whole Plant Extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 mg, from the product label.

Nutricost

See all Nutricost products
Name
Nutricost
Street Address
351 E 1750 N
City
Vineyard
State
UT
ZipCode
84059
Phone Number
(866) 438-3694
Web Address
www.nutricost.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 mg by Nutricost: Common Questions

Does Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 mg by Nutricost interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 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 & Goldenseal Root 500 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.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — goldenseal is likely unsafe during pregnancy because berberine may harm the fetus and could trigger contractions. It should also be avoided while breastfeeding because berberine may pass to your infant. Echinacea is rated possibly safe in pregnancy, but breastfeeding safety data aren't on file. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
What side effects might I experience?
The most common ones are stomach-related: abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, and bitter taste from the goldenseal. You might also get a headache, rashes, or heartburn. Serious side effects are rare but include allergic reactions and hepatitis, especially if you're sensitive to ragweed or related plants. If you develop severe itching, breathing trouble, or yellowing skin, stop and contact your doctor.
Is this product safe to use long-term?
No. Both ingredients are designed for short-term use, and human safety data for longer use are limited. Stick to short-term use only and talk with your doctor if you're considering this beyond a few weeks.
Does goldenseal actually prevent urinary drug test results?
No — it's rated possibly ineffective at that purpose according to the evidence we have. This is a common myth, but the data doesn't support it.
What is echinacea supposed to do?
Echinacea is often taken to support immune health or shorten cold or flu duration, but we don't have evidence in our data that establishes it works for those purposes. There's insufficient reliable evidence to rate it for anxiety, athletic performance, ADHD, burns, chronic fatigue, or migraine either.
What if I'm allergic to ragweed?
You should avoid echinacea — it's a plant in the same family as ragweed, chrysanthemums, daisies, and marigolds, so cross-reactions are common in people with plant allergies. Symptoms can range from mild rash to severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis.

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 & Goldenseal Root 500 mg label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 mg’s Ingredients

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

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 → 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 →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Echinacea & Goldenseal Root 500 mg's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

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.

Goldenseal 34 references
  1. Chan E. Displacement of bilirubin from albumin by berberine. Biol Neonate 1993;63:201-8. PubMed
  2. Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine 2000;7:273-82. PubMed
  3. Sandhu RS, Prescilla RP, Simonelli TM, Edwards DJ. Influence of goldenseal root on the pharmacokinetics of indinavir. J Clin Pharmacol 2003;43:1283-8.. 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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