Herbal Silica Ingredients & Drug Interactions
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Herbal Silica 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
Herbal Silica is a dietary supplement by Alta Health Products with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for fluid retention (mild diuretic), urinary and bladder concerns, hair, skin, and nail support.Based on those ingredients, 188 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Horsetail extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Herbal Silica by Alta Health Products
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Herbal Silica by Alta Health Products — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.
AI summaries are generated from our interaction database for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Herbal Silica by Alta Health Products
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
Herbal Silica contains 2 active ingredients: horsetail extract and silica (a form of silicon). Horsetail has been traditionally used to support urinary and bone health, though evidence for specific conditions is limited.
Silica is thought to play a role in bone strength and has some research backing for bone health. The product also contains several inactive ingredients — whey, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, croscarmellose sodium, calcium silicate, and magnesium stearate — which are used as binders, fillers, and flow agents in the tablet.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
The evidence for horsetail itself isn't well established. We hold insufficient data to rate it for urinary incontinence, weight management, sore throat (tonsillitis), or hair loss.
Silica shows more promise — it's rated possibly effective for osteoporosis — but the data is still limited. For hair loss and other conditions, silica also lacks enough reliable evidence to rate.
If you're considering this product for a specific health goal, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what the current evidence actually supports.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Horsetail is generally well tolerated short-term in healthy adults, but long-term safety isn't well studied, and unverified products carry real risks. The most common side effects are abdominal bloating, increased bowel movements, and nausea.
One concern: crude horsetail contains thiaminase, an enzyme that can deplete thiamine (vitamin B1) with prolonged use — though Canadian products are required to be thiaminase-free. There's also one report of a skin reaction (seborrheic dermatitis) from topical horsetail.
Silica from food and standard supplements is generally well tolerated, though high-dose or long-term safety isn't well studied. Neither ingredient should be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding — the safety data is insufficient for both, and you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before taking this product, check your medications — especially if you take antiretroviral therapy (like NRTIs or efavirenz), antidiabetes drugs, diuretics, or lithium. Horsetail may reduce how well antiretroviral drugs work, increase the risk of low blood sugar, worsen potassium loss from water pills, or raise lithium levels.
Use the interaction checker on this page to see if your exact medications are affected.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
This product combines two ingredients with limited evidence for most claims, and horsetail brings real drug interactions you need to know about — especially if you take antiretroviral drugs, blood-sugar medication, diuretics, or lithium. If you take any prescription medications, check them against the interaction tool before starting.
Horsetail is generally well tolerated short-term, but long-term use and pregnancy or breastfeeding are best avoided. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for your specific situation.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 2 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Mar 24, 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
General information
Key facts about Herbal Silica, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Alta Health Products |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 076920000185 |
| Net contents | 60 Tablet(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Mar 24, 2020 |
| DSLD ID | 216696 |
| Product type | Botanical With Nutrients |
| Supplement form | Tablet Or Pill |
| Dietary claims / uses | Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Sugar 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 Herbal Silica by Alta Health Products, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Horsetail extract | 1500 mg | -- |
| Silica | 33 mg | -- |
Other ingredients: Whey, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Croscarmellose Sodium, Calcium Silicate, Magnesium Stearate
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.
Formulation
Silica strengthens and supports healthy skin, hair, bones and nails. Using the finest quality horsetail extract with bioflavonoids, Alta Health Silica provides the pure ortho form of soluble/collodial Silica by means of special extraction process. Silica is an essential trace mineral that plays a biological role in the processes by which bone, cartilage, connective tissue and skin are formed, and is a component of collagen. Alta's Herbal Silica provides the best absorption and assimilation.
The natural nutrient for hair, bones and nails
Servings per container: 1 Tablet 60 servings 3 Tablets 20 servings
Free from: Sugar, salt, yeast, wheat, soy, colorings, flavorings or preservatives. No GMO. Gluten free.
This is a natural product, color and taste may vary.
Precautions
Consult a health care professional before taking this product if you are a pregnant or lactating woman, currently under medical care or are taking prescription drugs.
Do not accept if seal is broken.
Keep out of reach of children.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place. Do not freeze.
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.
Formula
Herbal Silica with bioflavonoids
FDA Statement of Identity
A Dietary Supplement
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Directions: As a dietary supplement, take 1 to 3 tablets a daily, preferably with meals.
General Statements
Made in the USA
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Herbal Silica by Alta Health Products 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 Herbal Silica by Alta Health Products
These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Servings per container20 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.
Horsetail extract
Interacts with188 drugs
Horsetail is a traditional herb most often used as a mild diuretic and for hair, nail, and bone support, but high-quality human evidence is limited. I...
Horsetail extract monograph & interactionsSilica
No knowninteractions
Silicon is a trace mineral found in the body and in foods like oats, barley, and certain fruits and vegetables, and it is popular in supplements for h...
Silica monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Whey, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Stearic Acid, Croscarmellose Sodium, Calcium Silicate, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Herbal Silica by Alta Health Products Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Herbal Silica by Alta Health Products contains horsetail extract, which interacts with several medication types.
The most serious concern is with antiretroviral drugs — horsetail may reduce how well nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and efavirenz work, potentially allowing viral loads to rise again. Case reports show detectable viral loads in patients taking horsetail with these medications.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Horsetail also interacts moderately with antidiabetes drugs (which lower blood sugar), diuretics (water pills), and lithium. With antidiabetes drugs, there's a theoretical risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Diuretics already cause potassium loss, and horsetail's diuretic properties may worsen that. Horsetail may also increase lithium levels in your body, requiring a dose adjustment.
Silica, the second active ingredient, has no documented interactions with medications.
Altogether, these interactions span 188 individual medications. Before starting this product, run your exact medications through the interaction checker on this page — especially if you take antiretroviral therapy, blood-sugar drugs, diuretics, or lithium.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Herbal Silica?
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 Herbal Silica interact with 188 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 2 ingredients in Herbal Silica interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Horsetail extract
Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, LamivudineTriumeq
How Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, Lamivudine interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractNucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (nrtis) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, horsetail might decrease the levels and clinical effects of NRTIs.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Abacavir Sulfate, Dolutegravir, Lamivudine interactionAbacavir, LamivudineEpzicom
How Abacavir, Lamivudine interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractNucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (nrtis) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, horsetail might decrease the levels and clinical effects of NRTIs.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Abacavir, Lamivudine interactionAcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose
How Acarbose interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Acarbose interactionAcetaminophen, Caffeine, PyrilamineMidol Max Strength Menstrual
How Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Pyrilamine interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Pyrilamine interactionAcetaminophen, Pamabrom, PyrilamineMidol Max Strength PMS, Pamprin, Pamprin ES
How Acetaminophen, Pamabrom, Pyrilamine interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Acetaminophen, Pamabrom, Pyrilamine interactionAcetazolamideAk-Zol, Diamox
How Acetazolamide interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Acetazolamide interactionAcetohexamideDymelor
How Acetohexamide interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Acetohexamide interactionAdefovirHepsera
How Adefovir interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractNucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (nrtis) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, horsetail might decrease the levels and clinical effects of NRTIs.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Adefovir interactionAlbiglutideTanzeum
How Albiglutide interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Albiglutide interactionAlogliptinNesina
How Alogliptin interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Alogliptin interactionAlogliptin, MetforminKazano
How Alogliptin, Metformin interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Alogliptin, Metformin interactionAlogliptin, PioglitazoneOseni
How Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interactionAmiloride, HydrochlorothiazideAmil-Co, Amilzide, Moduret 25, Moduretic
How Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide interactionAmmonium ChlorideAmmonium Chloride
How Ammonium Chloride interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Ammonium Chloride interactionAntidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) InhibitorGlyxambi
How Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interactionAtenolol, ChlortalidoneAtenixCo, Tenoret 50, Totaretic
How Atenolol, Chlortalidone interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Atenolol, Chlortalidone interactionAtenolol, ChlorthalidoneTenoretic
How Atenolol, Chlorthalidone interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Atenolol, Chlorthalidone interactionAzilsartan, ChlorthalidoneEdarbyclor
How Azilsartan, Chlorthalidone interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Azilsartan, Chlorthalidone interactionBenazepril, HydrochlorothiazideLotensin HCT
How Benazepril, Hydrochlorothiazide interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Benazepril, Hydrochlorothiazide interactionBendroflumethiazideAprinox, Naturetin, Neo-NaClex
How Bendroflumethiazide interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Bendroflumethiazide interactionBendroflumethiazide, NadololCorzide
How Bendroflumethiazide, Nadolol interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Bendroflumethiazide, Nadolol interactionBendroflumethiazide, PotassiumCentyl K, Neo-NaClex-K
How Bendroflumethiazide, Potassium interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Bendroflumethiazide, Potassium interactionBendroflumethiazide, Rauwolfia SerpentinaRauzide
How Bendroflumethiazide, Rauwolfia Serpentina interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Bendroflumethiazide, Rauwolfia Serpentina interactionBenzthiazideExna
How Benzthiazide interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Benzthiazide interactionBisoprolol, HydrochlorothiazideZiac
How Bisoprolol, Hydrochlorothiazide interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Bisoprolol, Hydrochlorothiazide interactionBumetanideBurinex
How Bumetanide interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Bumetanide interactionBumetanide, PotassiumBurinex K
How Bumetanide, Potassium interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Bumetanide, Potassium interactionCaffeine, Potassium Salicylate, SalicylamideTrim-Elim
How Caffeine, Potassium Salicylate, Salicylamide interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractDiuretic Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Caffeine, Potassium Salicylate, Salicylamide interactionCanagliflozinInvokana
How Canagliflozin interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Canagliflozin interactionCanagliflozin, MetforminInvokamet
How Canagliflozin, Metformin interacts with Herbal Silica — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Horsetail ExtractAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking horsetail with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full Horsetail Extract + Canagliflozin, Metformin interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Herbal Silica 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.
Horsetail extract
Antidiabetes Drugs
Theoretically, taking horsetail with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Equisetum myriochaetum has demonstrated hypoglycemic activity in clinical research. In an animal diabetic model, Equisetum giganteum had hypoglycemic effects. It is unclear whether other horsetail species have hypoglycemic effects.
Diuretic Drugs
Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Laboratory research shows that various species of horsetail have diuretic properties. Due to its diuretic effects, there has been concern that taking horsetail along with potassium-depleting diuretics might increase the risk for hypokalemia. However, pharmacokinetic research in humans shows that taking horsetail 900 mg daily for 4 days does not affect urinary excretion of electrolytes, including potassium and sodium, despite having a diuretic effect similar to taking hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg daily. It is unclear if taking horsetail for a longer duration would affect electrolyte levels. Until more is known, use with caution.
Efavirenz (Sustiva)
Theoretically, horsetail might decrease the levels and clinical effects of efavirenz.
In two case reports, patients were found to have detectable viral loads when taking horsetail-containing supplements along with an antiretroviral regimen that included efavirenz. In one case, the antiretroviral regimen included zidovudine, lamivudine, and efavirenz; in the other case, the regimen consisted of emtricitabine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and efavirenz. One month after discontinuing horsetail, the viral loads became undetectable in both cases. The exact mechanism of this interaction is unknown. It is also unclear if this interaction is specific to efavirenz or if it is related to various components of antiretroviral therapy.
Lithium
Theoretically, horsetail might increase the levels and adverse effects of lithium.
Animal research suggests that horsetail has diuretic properties. Theoretically, due to these potential diuretic effects, horsetail might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium. The dose of lithium might need to be decreased.
Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (Nrtis)
Theoretically, horsetail might decrease the levels and clinical effects of NRTIs.
In two case reports, patients were found to have detectable viral loads when taking horsetail-containing supplements along with an antiretroviral therapy. In one case, the antiretroviral regimen included zidovudine, lamivudine, and efavirenz; in the other case, the regimen consisted of emtricitabine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and efavirenz. One month after discontinuing the supplement, the viral loads became undetectable in both cases. The exact mechanism of these interactions is unknown. It is also unclear if these interactions are specific to NRTIs or if they are related to various components of antiretroviral therapy.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Herbal Silica, from the product label.
Alta Health Products
See all Alta Health Products products- Name
- ALTA HEALTH PRODUCTS
- City
- Idaho City
- State
- ID
- ZipCode
- 83631
- Web Address
- www.altahealthproducts.com
Herbal Silica by Alta Health Products: Common Questions
Does Herbal Silica by Alta Health Products interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Can I take this while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
What are the side effects I might notice?
Does this product actually work for what it claims?
Is it safe to take long-term?
Will this interact with my water pill (diuretic)?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Herbal Silica is safe with your meds?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.
The Full Monographs Behind Herbal Silica’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Horsetail
Interacts with 188 drugsHorsetail is a traditional herb most often used as a mild diuretic and for hair, nail, and bone support, but high-quality human evidence is limited. It can cause thiamine (vitamin B1) loss w...
Read the full Horsetail monograph → Herb & supplement monographSilicon
Silicon is a trace mineral found in the body and in foods like oats, barley, and certain fruits and vegetables, and it is popular in supplements for hair, skin, nail, and bone health. Some s...
Read the full Silicon monograph →Sources & How We Checked
Herbal Silica'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 33 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.
Horsetail 14 references
- Sudan BJ. Seborrhoeic dermatitis induced by nicotine of horsetails (Equisetum arvense L.). Contact Dermatitis 1985;13:201-2.
- Perez Gutierrez RM, Laguna GY, Walkowski A. Diuretic activity of Mexican equisetum. J Ethnopharmacol 1985;14:269-72. PubMed
- Lemus I, Garcia R, Erazo S, et al. Diuretic activity of an Equisetum bogotense tea (Platero herb): evaluation in healthy volunteers. J Ethnopharmacol 1996;54:55-8. PubMed
- Revilla MC, Andrade-Cetto A, Islas S, Wiedenfeld H. Hypoglycemic effect of Equisetum myriochaetum aerial parts on type 2 diabetic patients. J Ethnopharmacol 2002;81:117-20. PubMed
- Tiktinskii, O. L. and Bablumian, I. A. [Therapeutic action of Java tea and field horsetail in uric acid diathesis]. Urol.Nefrol.(Mosk) 1983;3(1):47-50.
- Henderson JA, Evans EV, and McIntosh RA. The antithiamine action of Equisetum. J Amer Vet Med Assoc 1952;120:375-378.
- Carneiro DM, Freire RC, Honório TC, Zoghaib I, Cardoso FF, Tresvenzol LM, de Paula JR, Sousa AL, Jardim PC, da Cunha LC. Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial to Assess the Acute Diuretic Effect of Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail) in Healthy Voluntee
- Klnçalp S, Ekiz F, Basar Ö, Coban S, Yüksel O. Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail)-induced liver injury. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012 Feb;24(2):213-4. PubMed
- Ortega García JA, Angulo MG, Sobrino-Najul EJ, Soldin OP, Mira AP, Martínez-Salcedo E, Claudio L. Prenatal exposure of a girl with autism spectrum disorder to 'horsetail' (Equisetum arvense) herbal remedy and alcohol: a case report. J Med Case Rep. 2011 M PubMed
- Cordova E, Morganti L, Rodriguez C. Possible Drug-Herb Interaction between Herbal Supplement Containing Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and Antiretroviral Drugs. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care. 2017;16(1):11-13.
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