Organic Echinacea Root Ingredients & Drug Interactions
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Organic Echinacea Root 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
Organic Echinacea Root is a dietary supplement by Five Flavors Herbs with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for common cold, flu and respiratory infections, immune support.Based on those ingredients, 818 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Echinacea purpurea root extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Organic Echinacea Root by Five Flavors Herbs
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Organic Echinacea Root by Five Flavors Herbs — 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 Organic Echinacea Root by Five Flavors Herbs
Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
This product has one active ingredient: echinacea purpurea root extract. Our data describes echinacea as having immunostimulant activity, meaning it may stimulate parts of the immune system.
The inactive ingredients listed are purified water and cane alcohol.
Does it work?
Couldn't assess
Echinacea has not been shown to work for any of the uses we track. Our data rates it as insufficient reliable evidence to rate for anxiety, athletic performance, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), burns, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraine headache.
In other words, the evidence for these uses isn't established in the data we hold.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Echinacea is generally well tolerated short-term. Common side effects include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, rashes, and stomach upset.
Rare but serious effects include severe allergic reactions and hepatitis (liver inflammation), and people sensitive to ragweed and related plants may be more prone to allergic reactions. Our safety notes also say the evidence is limited and that it is best avoided unless your doctor approves.
For pregnancy, our data lists echinacea as possibly safe. There is no lactation (breastfeeding) rating on file for it, so we cannot tell you how it affects nursing.
Please talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.
Meds to double-check
Moderate interaction found
Before taking this product, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you use immunosuppressants or etoposide (Moderate), caffeine or other CYP1A2-processed drugs (Moderate), or CYP3A4-processed drugs (Moderate). Minor interactions are also documented for warfarin, lopinavir/ritonavir, and midazolam.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
If you are considering echinacea, the evidence for its uses isn't established in our data. Anyone taking immunosuppressants, warfarin, midazolam, or other medicines in the interaction list, or anyone sensitive to ragweed, should talk it over with their own doctor or pharmacist first.
Pregnant or breastfeeding people should also get personalized advice before using it.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jan 23, 2025.
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 Organic Echinacea Root, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Five Flavors Herbs |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 635983568867 |
| Net contents | 2 Fluid Ounce(s); 59 mL |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Jan 23, 2025 |
| DSLD ID | 320696 |
| Product type | Botanical |
| Supplement form | Liquid |
| Dietary claims / uses | All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic |
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 Organic Echinacea Root by Five Flavors Herbs, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Echinacea purpurea root extract | 1 mL | -- |
Other ingredients: Water, Purified, Cane Alcohol
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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Suggested use 1 ml, 2 - 3 times daily in water, or as directed. Shake well before using.
Precautions
Caution Consult with your physician or a qualified herbalist before using if pregnant or nursing.
Keep out of reach of children.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Formulation
Integrating Traditions for Wellness Five Flavors Herbs creates and delivers effective, sustainable herbal remedies by integrating East Asian medicine principles with Western herbs and modern research. Supports a healthy immune system
USDA Organic Certified Organic by CCOF
FDA Statement of Identity
Herbal Supplement
Seals/Symbols
USDA Organic
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Organic Echinacea Root by Five Flavors Herbs 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 Organic Echinacea Root by Five Flavors Herbs
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Milliliter(s) Dosage formLiquid Servings per container59 Amounts shown are per serving.
Echinacea purpurea root extract
Interacts with818 drugs
Echinacea is a popular herb taken to help prevent or shorten the common cold, but study results are mixed and the overall benefit appears small at bes...
Echinacea purpurea root extract monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Water, Purified, Cane Alcohol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Organic Echinacea Root by Five Flavors Herbs Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Organic Echinacea Root from Five Flavors Herbs can interact with several medications, all of them through its echinacea purpurea root extract, which is its only active ingredient.
The most serious flag we hold is Moderate. The extract may interfere with immunosuppressants (medicines that calm the immune system), and in one report, combining it with etoposide (a chemotherapy drug) was linked to more severe drops in platelets (thrombocytopenia) than etoposide alone.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Additionally, several other drug types are flagged. Echinacea may raise caffeine levels by around 30% by slowing how the liver clears it, which is a Moderate flag, and it may affect other drugs cleared by the same liver enzyme (CYP1A2), also Moderate.
Its effects on CYP3A4 enzymes, which process many medicines, could raise or lower drug levels (Moderate), though several trials found that up to a month of use did not significantly change how several CYP3A4 drugs were cleared. Minor flags cover warfarin (a blood thinner), where any change in clearance may not be clinically significant, lopinavir/ritonavir (an HIV medicine), where a small study found no effect, and midazolam (a sedative), where levels may drop by about 20%.
Altogether, these interactions span 819 individual medications.
To check your exact medications, use the search tool on this page.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Organic Echinacea Root?
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 Organic Echinacea Root interact with 818 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 1 ingredient in Organic Echinacea Root interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Echinacea purpurea root extract
Belladonna Alkaloids, Ergotamine Tartrate, PhenobarbitalBel Tabs, Bellamine-S, Bellaphen-S, Duragal S, Phenarbal S, Spastrin
How Belladonna Alkaloids, Ergotamine Tartrate, Phenobarbital interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Belladonna Alkaloids, Ergotamine Tartrate, Phenobarbital interactionBelladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, PentobarbitalMicomp PB
How Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates, Caffeine +1 Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital interactionBelladonna, Ergotamine Tartrate, Phenobarbital
How Belladonna, Ergotamine Tartrate, Phenobarbital interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Belladonna, Ergotamine Tartrate, Phenobarbital interactionBelladonna, Ergotamine, PhenobarbitalBellergal-S
How Belladonna, Ergotamine, Phenobarbital interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Belladonna, Ergotamine, Phenobarbital interactionBellafoline, Caffeine, Ergotamine Tartrate, PentobarbitalCafergot PB
How Bellafoline, Caffeine, Ergotamine Tartrate, Pentobarbital interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates, Cytochrome P450 1a2 (cyp1a2) Substrates +1 Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Bellafoline, Caffeine, Ergotamine Tartrate, Pentobarbital interactionBelumosudil MesylateRezurock
How Belumosudil Mesylate interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Belumosudil Mesylate interactionBendamustineBelrapzo, Treanda, Vivimusta
How Bendamustine interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 1a2 (cyp1a2) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea might inhibit the metabolism of CYP1A2 and increase plasma levels of some drugs.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Bendamustine interactionBendamustine HydrochlorideBendeka
How Bendamustine Hydrochloride interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 1a2 (cyp1a2) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea might inhibit the metabolism of CYP1A2 and increase plasma levels of some drugs.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Bendamustine Hydrochloride interactionBenzhydrocodone, AcetaminophenApadaz
How Benzhydrocodone, Acetaminophen interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 1a2 (cyp1a2) Substrates, Cytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea might inhibit the metabolism of CYP1A2 and increase plasma levels of some drugs.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Benzhydrocodone, Acetaminophen interactionBepridilVascor
How Bepridil interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Bepridil interactionBetamethasoneCelestone, Diprolene AF, Diprosone
How Betamethasone interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Betamethasone interactionBetamethasone DipropionateSernivo
How Betamethasone Dipropionate interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Betamethasone Dipropionate interactionBetamethasone Dipropionate, CalcipotrieneEnstilar, Wynzora
How Betamethasone Dipropionate, Calcipotriene interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Betamethasone Dipropionate, Calcipotriene interactionBetamethasone ValerateLuxiq
How Betamethasone Valerate interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Betamethasone Valerate interactionBexaroteneTargretin
How Bexarotene interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Bexarotene interactionBictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir AlafenamideBiktarvy
How Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interactionBimekizumab-bkzxBimzelx
How Bimekizumab-bkzx interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Bimekizumab-bkzx interactionBoceprevirVictrelis
How Boceprevir interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Boceprevir interactionBosentanTracleer
How Bosentan interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Bosentan interactionBosutinibBosulif
How Bosutinib interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Bosutinib interactionBrentuximab VedotinAdcetris
How Brentuximab Vedotin interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Brentuximab Vedotin interactionBrexpiprazoleRexulti
How Brexpiprazole interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Brexpiprazole interactionBrigatinibAlunbrig
How Brigatinib interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Brigatinib interactionBromocriptineParlodel
How Bromocriptine interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Bromocriptine interactionBudenosidePulmicort Flexhaler, Pulmicort Turbuhaler
How Budenoside interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Budenoside interactionBudesonideEntocort EC, Eohilia, Pulmicort, Tarpeyo, Uceris
How Budesonide interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Budesonide interactionBuprenorphineBrixadi, Butrans, Sublocade, Subutex
How Buprenorphine interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Buprenorphine interactionBuprenorphine HydrochlorideBelbuca, Probuphine
How Buprenorphine Hydrochloride interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Buprenorphine Hydrochloride interactionBuprenorphine Hydrochloride, Naloxone HydrochlorideBunavail
How Buprenorphine Hydrochloride, Naloxone Hydrochloride interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Buprenorphine Hydrochloride, Naloxone Hydrochloride interactionBuprenorphine, NaloxoneCassipa, Zubsolv
How Buprenorphine, Naloxone interacts with Organic Echinacea Root — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
Echinacea Purpurea Root ExtractCytochrome P450 3a4 (cyp3a4) Substrates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4.
Read the full Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract + Buprenorphine, Naloxone interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Organic Echinacea Root with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.
Echinacea purpurea root extract
Caffeine
Echinacea can increase plasma levels of caffeine by inhibiting its metabolism.
Echinacea seems to increase plasma concentrations of caffeine by around 30%. This is likely due to inhibition of cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) by echinacea.
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates
Echinacea might inhibit the metabolism of CYP1A2 and increase plasma levels of some drugs.
Echinacea appears to inhibit CYP1A2 enzymes in humans. Additionally, echinacea seems to increase plasma concentrations of caffeine, a CYP1A2 substrate, by around 30%. Theoretically, echinacea might increase levels of other drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates
Echinacea may induce hepatic CYP3A4 and inhibit intestinal CYP3A4. This may increase or decrease levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
Several clinical trials have shown that taking echinacea for up to one month does not significantly affect the metabolism of various CYP3A4 substrates, including midazolam, docetaxel, etravirine, lopinavir-ritonavir, and darunavir-ritonavir. However, other clinical research shows that echinacea may increase the clearance of midazolam, suggesting that echinacea might induce CYP3A4. The discrepancy is thought to be due to differing effects of echinacea on intestinal versus hepatic CYP3A4 enzymes. Echinacea appears to induce hepatic CYP3A4 but inhibit intestinal CYP3A4. In some cases, these effects might cancel each other out, but in others, drug levels may be increased or decreased depending on the level of effect at hepatic and intestinal sites. The effect of echinacea on CYP3A4 activity may differ depending on the CYP3A4 substrate.
Etoposide (Vepesid)
Echinacea may increase levels of etoposide.
In one report, concomitant use of etoposide and echinacea was associated with more severe thrombocytopenia than the use of etoposide alone, suggesting inhibition of etoposide metabolism. Etoposide is a cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrate. Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but some studies have reported inhibition of the enzyme.
Immunosuppressants
Echinacea has immunostimulant activity which may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy.
Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with immunosuppressant therapy because of its immunostimulant activity.
Darunavir (Prezista)
Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of darunavir; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Darunavir is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and is administered with the CYP3A4 inhibitor ritonavir to increase its plasma concentrations. Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but administration of an E. purpurea root extract (Arkocapsulas Echinacea, Arkopharma) 500 mg four times daily for 14 days did not affect darunavir/ritonavir pharmacokinetics in 15 HIV-infected patients.
Dayquil Severe
Echinacea is reported to have varying effects on a number of Cytochrome P450 metabolizing enzymes in the liver, including CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, which play a role in acetaminophen and dextromethorphan metabolism (both contained in DayQuil Severe), respectively. Studies have reported both enzyme inhibition and induction, making it difficult to predict clinically significant drug interactions with reliability. Specific drug interaction studies reporting definitive results are rare, and potential drug interactions involving echinacea should likely be taken on a case-by-case basis. Based on what we know about how acetaminophen and dextromethorphan are metabolized, the risk of a clinically significant interaction between echinacea and DayQuil Severe is low.
Docetaxel (Taxotere)
Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of docetaxel; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Docetaxel is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but taking E. purpurea whole plant extract (Echinaforce, A. Vogel Biopharma AG) 20 drops three times daily for 2 weeks did not alter the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel in one clinical study.
Etravirine (Intelence)
Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of etravirine; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Etravirine is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but taking E. purpurea root extract (Arkocapsulas Echinacea, Arkopharma) 500 mg three times daily for 14 days did not alter the pharmacokinetics of etravirine in HIV-infected patients.
Lopinavir/Ritonavir (Kaletra)
Theoretically, echinacea may interfere with the metabolism of lopinavir; however, a small clinical study found no effect.
Lopinavir is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and is administered with the CYP3A4 inhibitor ritonavir to increase its plasma concentrations. Echinacea has variable effects on CYP3A4, but taking E. purpurea (Echinamide, Natural Factors Nutritional Products, Inc.) 500 mg three times daily for 14 days did not alter the pharmacokinetics of lopinavir/ritonavir in healthy volunteers.
Midazolam (Versed)
Theoretically, echinacea may increase the metabolism of intravenous midazolam.
Echinacea induces hepatic CYP3A4 and might decrease plasma levels of midazolam by about 20%, reducing the effectiveness of intravenous midazolam. Echinacea also appears to inhibit intestinal CYP3A4, which could theoretically increase the bioavailability of oral midazolam. This may cancel out the decrease in availability caused by induction of hepatic CYP3A4, such that overall plasma levels after oral administration of midazolam are not affected by echinacea.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Echinacea seems to increase the clearance of warfarin, although the effect may not be clinically significant.
Preliminary clinical research in healthy male volunteers suggests that taking echinacea increases the clearance of the active S-isomer of warfarin after a single dose of warfarin, but there was not a clinically significant effect on the INR.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Organic Echinacea Root, from the product label.
Five Flavors Herbs
See all Five Flavors Herbs products- Name
- Five Flavors Herbs, Inc.
- Street Address
- 344 40th St.
- City
- Oakland
- State
- CA
- ZipCode
- 94609
- Web Address
- www,fiveflavorsherbs.com
Organic Echinacea Root by Five Flavors Herbs: Common Questions
Does Organic Echinacea Root by Five Flavors Herbs interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Is echinacea root safe to take during pregnancy?
Does echinacea help with anxiety or migraines?
What are the side effects of echinacea root?
What is in this echinacea product besides the active ingredient?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Organic Echinacea Root 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 Organic Echinacea Root’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Sources & How We Checked
Organic Echinacea Root's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.
The 51 references behind this product’s interaction data
Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.
Echinacea 51 references
- Mullins RJ. Echinacea-associated anaphylaxis. Med J Aust 1998;168:170-1. PubMed
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DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
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