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

Rhubarb Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Answer

Rhubarb label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Rhubarb 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

Rhubarb is a dietary supplement by Nature's Answer with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for constipation, digestive upset, menopausal symptoms.Based on those ingredients, 658 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Rhubarb (Rheum officinale) root 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 Rhubarb by Nature's Answer

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Rhubarb by Nature's Answer — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
Prefer a human? Send your question to our licensed pharmacists — free, answered by email within 24 hours.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Rhubarb by Nature's Answer

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 Sep 10, 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 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: rhubarb root extract from Rheum officinale. Rhubarb root is traditionally used as a stimulant laxative — it works by triggering bowel contractions to promote movement.

The liquid is preserved with alcohol (12–15%), vegetable glycerin, and purified water.

Does it work?

Moderate 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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: digestive and gastrointestinal health support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Constipation, Gastrointestinal bleeding, Pancreatitis, Digestive upset, Bowel regularity.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Rhubarb is rated "Possibly Effective" for Pancreatitis (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Rhubarb is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Constipation, Gastrointestinal bleeding.

Rhubarb is rated possibly effective for pancreatitis and menopausal symptoms based on available evidence. For other uses — appendicitis, nasopharyngeal cancer, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and constipation — the evidence we hold is insufficient to rate its effectiveness.

If you're considering it for any of these purposes, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether the evidence supports its use for your specific situation.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Rhubarb

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 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Rhubarb root is generally well tolerated when used in food amounts and in medicinal doses — most people don't have problems with it. The most common side effects are cramping, diarrhea, gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting.

Serious side effects are rare but can include anaphylaxis. Long-term or heavy use can cause potassium loss, dehydration, and kidney or liver damage; it should not be used long-term.

Because rhubarb may stimulate the uterus and bowels, the safety data advises against supplement amounts during pregnancy. Medicinal laxative compounds can pass into breast milk, so avoid medicinal use while nursing. (Note: the edible rhubarb stalks are safe as food, but the medicinal root extract carries these cautions.)

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Rhubarb

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?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Rhubarb.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; heart-rhythm medications.
  • For scale: 659 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.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product if you take any drugs that can harm your kidneys or liver, corticosteroids, diuretics (water pills), blood thinners like warfarin, digoxin (a heart medication), cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant), or other laxatives. Rhubarb can worsen kidney or liver damage, deplete potassium in risky ways, reduce cyclosporine levels, and increase bleeding risk.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

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.

Rhubarb root extract may help with pancreatitis or hot flashes, but it's a potent laxative with real risks — especially if you take drugs that affect your kidneys, liver, heart, or blood clotting, or if you use it long-term. Before you start, go through your medications with your own doctor or pharmacist, and keep doses low and use short-term.

Avoid it in pregnancy and while nursing.

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 Feb 25, 2019.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Rhubarb, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Answer
Barcode (UPC) 083000009020
Net contents 1 fl. Oz.; 30 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 25, 2019
DSLD ID 185245
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, 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 Rhubarb by Nature's Answer, 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:
0.5 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
083000009020
IngredientAmount% DV
Rhubarb (Rheum officinale) root extract200 mg--

Other ingredients: purified Water, Vegetable Glycerin, 12-15% certified organic Alcohol

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.
Seals/Symbols

Gluten Free

K Parve

Bio-Chelated Cold Extraction Process

Formula

K Parve

Rheum officinale Made from 1,000 mg Rhubarb Root

Low Alcohol

General

9289 Rev. 1217 1132

General Statements

Since 1972

Brand IP Statement(s)

Discover Nature's Answer

2017 Nature's Answer

Formulation

Gluten-free

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 1/2-1 mL (14-28 drops) 2-3 times a day in a small amount of water. Not recommended for use longer than 2 weeks. Shake well.

Read and follow directions carefully.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use if safety seal is damaged or missing.

Warning: Do not use if pregnant or nursing.

Read and follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools, or abdominal pain, because Chinese Rhubarb may worsen these conditions and be harmful to your health.

If you have frequent diarrhea, are taking any medications, planning any medical procedure consult your healthcare practitioner before use.

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

See for yourself

Rhubarb by Nature's Answer label

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

Rhubarb 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 Rhubarb by Nature's Answer

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size0.5 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Rhubarb (Rheum officinale) root extract

Interacts with
658 drugs
200 mg per serving

Rhubarb root has a long history of use as a laxative and in traditional Chinese medicine, and its edible stalks are a common food. Most medicinal clai...

Rhubarb (Rheum officinale) root extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Purified Water, Vegetable Glycerin, 12-15% certified organic Alcohol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Rhubarb by Nature's Answer Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Rhubarb?

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
658Drugs
658 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Rhubarb (Rheum officinale) root extract 658

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Rhubarb interact with 658 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Rhubarb interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Rhubarb (Rheum officinale) root extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Rhubarb 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.

Rhubarb (Rheum officinale) root extract8 drug types · 658 drugs

Corticosteroids

Theoretically, frequent and high doses of rhubarb might increase the risk of hypokalemia when taken with corticosteroids.
Rhubarb has stimulant laxative effects. Overuse of rhubarb might compound corticosteroid-induced potassium loss.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)

Theoretically, taking rhubarb with cyclosporine might reduce cyclosporine levels.
Animal research shows that co-administration of rhubarb decoction 0.25 or 1 gram/kg with cyclosporine 2.5 mg/kg, decreases cyclosporine maximum plasma concentration and overall exposure levels when compared with taking cyclosporine alone. The authors theorize that rhubarb might reduce cyclosporine bioavailability by inducing of P-glycoprotein and/or cytochrome P450 3A4. However, since rhubarb was administered as a single oral dose and enzyme induction usually occurs after multiple doses, it is possible that cyclosporine absorption was actually reduced via rhubarb's stimulant laxative effects. Also, the composition of the rhubarb decoction was not described.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Theoretically, overuse of rhubarb might increase the risk of adverse effects when taken with digoxin.
Rhubarb has stimulant laxative effects. Overuse of rhubarb might cause potassium depletion, increasing the risk of digoxin toxicity.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Diuretic Drugs

Theoretically, frequent and high doses of rhubarb might increase the risk of hypokalemia.
Rhubarb has stimulant laxative effects. Overuse of rhubarb might cause potassium depletion and compound diuretic-induced potassium loss.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Hepatotoxic Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of rhubarb with potentially hepatotoxic drugs might increase the risk of developing liver damage.
Some animal research suggests that anthraquinones in rhubarb might have hepatotoxic effects. Also, rhubarb use has been linked to at least 24 cases of liver injury, although details on the dose of rhubarb and duration of use in these cases is unclear.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Nephrotoxic Drugs

Theoretically, long-term use of anthraquinones from rhubarb might increase the risk of nephrotoxicity when used with nephrotoxic drugs.
The anthraquinone constituents of rhubarb have been shown to induce nephrotoxicity in animal research. Additionally, in a case report, a 23-year old female presented with kidney failure after taking 6 tablets of a proprietary slimming agent (found to contain the anthraquinones emodin and aloe-emodin from rhubarb) daily for 6 weeks and then adding diclofenac 25 mg 4 times daily for 2 days. The authors postulate that the anthraquinone constituents of rhubarb contributed to the renal dysfunction, and the addition of diclofenac, a nephrotoxic drug, led to renal failure. Until more is known, advise patients to avoid taking rhubarb if they are taking other potentially nephrotoxic drugs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Stimulant Laxatives

Theoretically, rhubarb might increase the risk for fluid and electrolyte loss when taken with other stimulant laxatives.
Rhubarb has stimulant laxative effects. Concomitant use with stimulant laxatives might compound fluid and electrolyte loss.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, excessive use of rhubarb might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
Rhubarb has stimulant laxative effects and can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin, increase international normalized ratio (INR), and increase the risk of bleeding. Advise patients who take warfarin not to take excessive amounts of rhubarb.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Rhubarb (Rheum officinale) root extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Rhubarb, from the product label.

Nature's Answer

See all Nature's Answer products
Name
Nature's Answer
Street Address
85 Commerce Drive
City
Hauppauge
State
NY
ZipCode
11788
Phone Number
(800) 439-2324
Web Address
www.naturesanswer.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Rhubarb by Nature's Answer: Common Questions

Does Rhubarb by Nature's Answer interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Rhubarb has a known interaction with 658 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Rhubarb contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism 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 use rhubarb root if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — the safety data advises against medicinal rhubarb during pregnancy because it may stimulate the uterus. Laxative compounds can also pass into breast milk, so avoid medicinal use while nursing. If you're planning pregnancy or are already pregnant or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this.
What are the most common side effects?
Cramping, diarrhea, gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting are the side effects most people report. Serious side effects like anaphylaxis are rare. If cramping bothers you, keep the dose low.
How long can I safely use rhubarb root?
The safety data advises against long-term use. Chronic or heavy use can cause potassium loss, dehydration, and damage to your kidneys or liver. Use it short-term and at low doses, and talk with your pharmacist if you think you need it beyond a few days.
Does this product contain the whole rhubarb plant, or just the root?
This is rhubarb root extract only. The edible stalks are safe as food, but the medicinal root carries risks with long-term use — so it's important to use it carefully and short-term.
Is rhubarb safe for constipation, and does it actually work?
There isn't enough evidence in our data to rate rhubarb's effectiveness for constipation. While rhubarb root is a stimulant laxative, we can't confirm from the evidence we hold whether it works well for that purpose. For constipation, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what the research supports.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Rhubarb is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

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.

Rhubarb label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Rhubarb’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Rhubarb

Interacts with 658 drugs

Rhubarb root has a long history of use as a laxative and in traditional Chinese medicine, and its edible stalks are a common food. Most medicinal claims are backed by limited or low-quality...

Read the full Rhubarb monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Rhubarb'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 20 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.

Rhubarb 20 references
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  3. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  4. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  5. Nusko G, Schneider B, Schneider I, et al. Anthranoid laxative use is not a risk factor for colorectal neoplasia: results of a prospective case control study. Gut 2000;46:651-5. PubMed
  6. Kwan TH, Tong MK, Leung KT, et al. Acute renal failure associated with prolonged intake of slimming pills containing anthraquinones. Hong Kong Med J 2006;12:394-7.
  7. Fairbairn JW. The anthraquinone laxatives. Biological assay and its relation to chemical structure. Pharmacology 1976;14:48-61. PubMed
  8. Siegers, C. P., Hertzberg-Lottin, E., Otte, M., and Schneider, B. Anthranoid laxative abuse--a risk for colorectal cancer? Gut 1993;34(8):1099-1101. PubMed
  9. Fan, J. G. Evaluating the efficacy and safety of Danning Pian in the short-term treatment of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a multicenter clinical trial. Hepatobiliary.Pancreat.Dis.Int 2004;3(3):375-380.
  10. Yan, M., Zhang, L. Y., Sun, L. X., Jiang, Z. Z., and Xiao, X. H. Nephrotoxicity study of total rhubarb anthraquinones on Sprague Dawley rats using DNA microarrays. J Ethnopharmacol. 4-15-2006; PubMed
  11. Zhang, J. H., Li, L. S., and Zhang, M. Clinical effects of rheum and captopril on preventing progression of chronic renal failure. Chin Med J (Engl.) 1990;103(10):788-793.
  12. Mitsuma, T., Yokozawa, T., Oura, H., and Terasawa, K. [Rhubarb therapy in patients with chronic renal failure (Part 2)]. Nippon Jinzo Gakkai Shi 1987;29(2):195-207.
  13. Wu, C. X. [A preliminary study on the effect of a single Rheum officinale in heavy doses in the treatment of acute icteric hepatitis]. Zhong.Xi.Yi.Jie.He.Za Zhi.(Chinese Journal of Modern Developments in Traditional Medicine) 1984;4(2):88-89.
  14. Jiao, D. H. [Clinical research on the hemostatic effect of rhubarb on peptic ulcer with acute bleeding]. Zhong.Xi.Yi.Jie.He.Za Zhi.(Chinese Journal of Modern Developments in Traditional Medicine) 1984;4(10):597-600, 579.
  15. Jiao, D. H., Ma, Y. H., Chen, S. J., Liu, C. T., Shu, H. N., and Chu, C. M. Resume of 400 cases of acute upper digestive tract bleeding treated by rhubarb alone. Pharmacology 1980;20 Suppl 1:128-130.
  16. Zhang, JH, Yao, XD, Song, Y, and et al. [Long-term treating effects of rhubarb and captopril in delaying the progression of renal failure]. Chinese Kidney Disease Journal 1993;9(4):197-201.
  17. Rehman H, Begum W, Anjum F, Tabasum H, Zahid S. Effect of rhubarb (Rheum emodi) in primary dysmenorrhoea: a single-blind randomized controlled trial. J Complement Integr Med. 2015 Mar;12(1):61-9.
  18. Yu CP, Lin HJ, Lin SP, Shia CS, Chang PH, Hou YC, Hsieh YW. Rhubarb decreased the systemic exposure of cyclosporine, a probe substrate of P-glycoprotein and CYP 3A. Xenobiotica. 2016 Aug;46(8):677-82. PubMed
  19. Byeon JH, Kil JH, Ahn YC, Son CG. Systematic review of published data on herb induced liver injury. J Ethnopharmacol 2019;233:190-6. PubMed
  20. Zhao D, Feng SX, Zhang HJ, et al. Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of five rhubarb anthraquinones in rats after oral administration of effective fraction of anthraquinones from rheum officinale. Xenobiotica. 2021;51(8):916-925. PubMed

See these in context on the Rhubarb monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Drug–drug interactions › Check two or more of your medications against each other Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements NDC & pricing lookup › Find a drug’s NDCs, packaging and costs Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team