Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 3 of 4 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Thymus NF Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Douglas Laboratories

Thymus NF label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 23, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Thymus NF 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

Thymus NF is a dietary supplement by Douglas Laboratories with 4 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for zinc deficiency, immune support, cold symptoms.Based on those ingredients, 1,153 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Echinacea, Reishi mushroom, Zinc. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Thymus NF by Douglas Laboratories

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Thymus NF by Douglas Laboratories — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Thymus NF by Douglas Laboratories

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 17, 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 4 of its 4 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Thymus NF contains 4 active ingredients. Zinc is included to support immune function and is effective for zinc deficiency and likely effective for Wilson disease.

Thymic peptides are extracts from thymus tissue thought to support immune health, though we hold no interaction data for this ingredient. Reishi mushroom is an herbal extract traditionally used for immune support, and echinacea (a plant from the daisy family) is commonly used to support the immune system during cold and flu season.

The product also contains several inactive ingredients — purified water, glycerin, fructose, natural flavors, potassium sorbate, and citric acid — which serve as the base, preservative, and flavoring.

Does it work?

Strong 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

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded its ingredients' overall clinical evidence instead.

Strong

Strong clinical evidence supports its ingredients for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredients' overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Zinc deficiency — rated "Effective" (Zinc) (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Wilson disease — rated "Likely Effective" (Zinc) (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Acne — rated "Possibly Effective" (Zinc) (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Acrodermatitis enteropathica — rated "Possibly Effective" (Zinc) (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — rated "Possibly Effective" (Zinc) (Natural Medicines).

Zinc is effective for treating zinc deficiency and likely effective for Wilson disease, a genetic disorder affecting copper metabolism. It's possibly effective for acne, acrodermatitis enteropathica (a rare absorption disorder), age-related macular degeneration, and diabetes, though the evidence is weaker for these uses.

For reishi mushroom and echinacea, the evidence we hold shows insufficient data to rate their effectiveness for most conditions — we don't have established ratings showing they work for their traditional immune support roles.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Zinc Reishi Mushroom 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 3 of the 3 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 3 of 3.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 3 of 3.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Zinc is generally well tolerated at recommended doses, but doses above 40 mg daily can cause problems. Common side effects from zinc include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and a metallic taste — these are dose-related.

High-dose zinc can raise the risk of copper deficiency over time. Reishi mushroom is generally well tolerated short-term, but long-term safety isn't well studied; common side effects include dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, rash, and stomach upset.

Echinacea is well tolerated short-term, though it may cause allergic reactions, especially in people sensitive to ragweed and related plants — reactions can include rash, hives, throat swelling, and in rare cases, anaphylaxis.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Zinc Reishi Mushroom 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?
  • 3 of the 3 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Reishi Mushroom, Echinacea, Zinc.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 1,154 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 Thymus NF, double-check with your own pharmacist or doctor if you take antibiotics (especially quinolones, tetracyclines, or cephalexin), blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, HIV drugs, immunosuppressants, or any drug metabolized by your liver (a category that includes many common medications). Zinc and echinacea both slow how your body clears certain drugs, and the timing and spacing of doses matters.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with strong clinical evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Thymus NF is a multi-ingredient supplement combining zinc, thymic peptides, reishi mushroom, and echinacea. It may appeal to someone looking for immune support, though the evidence for reishi and echinacea in that role isn't established in our data.

Because the product contains zinc and echinacea — both of which interact with a large number of medications — you should check your exact prescription and over-the-counter drugs with your own doctor or pharmacist before starting, especially if you take antibiotics, blood thinners, blood pressure medications, or HIV drugs.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 3 of 4 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Feb 26, 2014.

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 Thymus NF, straight from the product label.

Brand Douglas Laboratories
Barcode (UPC) 310539038932
Net contents 1 fl. Oz.; 30 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 26, 2014
DSLD ID 30910
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
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 Thymus NF by Douglas Laboratories, 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:
0.8 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.8 mL
Servings per container
37
UPC/BARCODE
310539038932
IngredientAmount% DV
Zinc0.7 mg5%
Thymic peptides500 mg--
Reishi mushroom1 mg--
Echinacea1 mg--

Other ingredients: purified Water, Glycerin, Fructose, natural pomegranate and vanilla flavors, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid

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 Usage: As a dietary supplement, hold near mouth. Pump 2 sprays into mouth and swallow. Repeat twice daily or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Precautions

Warning: Do not use if security seal is broken or missing.

This product may not be suitable for children 12 years of age or younger, pregnant or nursing women, persons taking immunosuppressants or persons allergic to pork products.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

This product may not be suitable for children 12 years of age or younger, pregnant or nursing women, persons taking immunosuppressants or persons allergic to pork products.

This product may not be suitable for children 12 years of age or younger, pregnant or nursing women, persons taking immunosuppressants or persons allergic to pork products.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place. (59(0)-77(0)F/15(0)-25(0)C) (35-65% relative humidity).

General

Formula #99463-1XCNF

Brand IP Statement(s)

Xtra-Cell(R)

FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

General Statements

Consult a healthcare professional before use.

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

See for yourself

Thymus NF by Douglas Laboratories label

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

Thymus NF 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 Thymus NF by Douglas Laboratories

These are the 4 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size0.8 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container37 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.

Zinc

Interacts with
67 drugs
0.7 mg per serving Form: Zinc Gluconate

Zinc is an essential mineral that your body needs for immune function, wound healing, taste, and smell. Most people get enough from food, but suppleme...

Zinc monograph & interactions

Thymic peptides

500 mg per serving Form: porcine thymus aqueous extract

Reishi mushroom

Interacts with
375 drugs
1 mg per serving

Reishi is a traditional Asian mushroom widely used to support the immune system and overall wellness. Human evidence for most of its claimed benefits...

Reishi mushroom monograph & interactions

Echinacea

Interacts with
816 drugs
1 mg per serving

Echinacea is a popular herb taken to help prevent or shorten the common cold, but study results are mixed and the overall benefit appears small at bes...

Echinacea monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Purified Water, Glycerin, Fructose, Natural pomegranate and vanilla flavors, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Thymus NF by Douglas Laboratories Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Thymus NF?

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
1,153Drugs
1,152 Moderate 1 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Echinacea 816
Reishi mushroom 375
Zinc 67

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Thymus NF interact with 1,153 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

3 of the 4 ingredients in Thymus NF interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Echinacea Reishi mushroom Zinc

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Thymus NF 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.

Echinacea12 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 full monograph & interactions

Reishi mushroom3 drug types · 375 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, high doses of reishi mushroom might increase the risk of bleeding.
A dose of 1.5 grams daily of reishi mushroom does not seem to decrease platelet aggregation, but a higher dose of 3 grams daily does.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, reishi mushroom might have additive effects with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that reishi mushroom decreases blood sugar. However, in patients with type 2 diabetes, taking reishi mushroom does not reduce fasting glucose levels, and its effects on glycated hemoglobin are inconsistent.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antihypertensive Drugs

Theoretically, concurrent use of reishi mushroom with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Reishi mushroom has shown hypotensive activity in animal research. Clinical evidence suggests that reishi mushroom reduces blood pressure in some, but not all, patients with hypertension.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Reishi mushroom full monograph & interactions

Zinc10 drug types · 67 drugs

Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide (Biktarvy)

Theoretically, zinc might decrease levels of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide by reducing its absorption.
Advise patients that bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide should be taken at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after zinc containing products.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Cephalexin (Keflex)

Zinc might decrease cephalexin levels by chelating with cephalexin in the gut and preventing its absorption.
A pharmacokinetic study shows that zinc sulfate 250 mg taken concomitantly with cephalexin 500 mg decreases peak levels of cephalexin by 31% and reduces the exposure to cephalexin by 27%. Also, taking zinc sulfate 3 hours before cephalexin decreases peak levels of cephalexin by 11% and reduces the exposure to cephalexin by 18%. By decreasing cephalexin levels, zinc might increase the risk of treatment failure. This effect does not occur when zinc is taken 3 hours after the cephalexin dose. To avoid an interaction, advise patients take zinc sulfate 3 hours after taking cephalexin.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Cisplatin (Platinol-Aq)

Theoretically, zinc might interfere with the therapeutic effects of cisplatin.
Animal research suggests that zinc stimulates tumor cell production of the protein metallothionein, which binds and inactivates cisplatin. It is not known whether zinc supplements or high dietary zinc intake can cause clinically significant interference with cisplatin therapy. Cisplatin might also increase zinc excretion.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Integrase Inhibitors

Theoretically, taking zinc along with integrase inhibitors might decrease the levels and clinical effects of these drugs.
Zinc is a divalent cation. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that other divalent cations such as calcium and iron can decrease blood levels of the integrase inhibitor dolutegravir through chelation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen)

Zinc might reduce the levels and clinical effects of penicillamine.
By forming an insoluble complex with penicillamine, zinc interferes with penicillamine absorption and activity. Zinc supplements reduce the efficacy of low-dose penicillamine (0.5-1 gram/day), but do not seem to affect higher doses (1-2.75 gram/day), provided dosing times are separated. Advise patients to take zinc and penicillamine at least 2 hours apart.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Quinolone Antibiotics

Zinc can decrease the levels and clinical effects of quinolones antibiotics.
Quinolones form complexes with zinc in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption of both the quinolone and zinc if taken at the same time. Advise patients to take these drugs at least 2 hours before, or 4-6 hours after, zinc supplements.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Ritonavir (Norvir)

Zinc modestly reduces levels of ritonavir.
Clinical research shows that zinc might reduce serum ritonavir levels by chelating with ritonavir in the gut and preventing its absorption. In patients with HIV, ritonavir is taken with atazanavir to prevent the metabolism and increase the effects of atazanavir. A pharmacokinetic study shows that, in patients being treated with atazanavir/ritonavir, co-administration of zinc sulfate (Solvazinc tablets) 125 mg as a single dose or as multiple daily doses for 2 weeks reduces plasma levels of ritonavir by about 16%. However, atazanavir levels still remains high enough to prevent HIV virus replication. Therefore, the decrease in ritonavir levels is not likely to be clinically significant.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Tetracycline Antibiotics

Zinc might reduce levels of tetracycline antibiotics.
Tetracyclines form complexes with zinc in the gastrointestinal tract, which can reduce absorption of both the tetracycline and zinc when taken at the same time. Taking zinc sulfate 200 mg with tetracycline reduces absorption of the antibiotic by 30% to 40%. Demeclocycline and minocycline cause a similar interaction. However, doxycycline does not seem to interact significantly with zinc. Advise patients to take tetracyclines at least 2 hours before, or 4-6 hours after, zinc supplements to avoid any interactions.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Amiloride (Midamor)

Amiloride can modestly reduce zinc excretion and increase zinc levels.
Clinical research shows that amiloride can reduce urinary zinc excretion, especially at doses of 10 mg per day or more. This zinc-sparing effect can help to counteract zinc losses caused by thiazide diuretics, but it is unlikely to cause zinc toxicity at usual amiloride doses. The other potassium-sparing diuretics, spironolactone (Aldactone) and triamterene (Dyrenium), do not seem to have a zinc-sparing effect.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Atazanavir (Reyataz)

Zinc modestly reduces levels of atazanavir, although this effect does not seem to be clinically significant.
Clinical research shows that zinc might decrease serum atazanavir levels by chelating with atazanavir in the gut and preventing its absorption. Although a single dose of zinc sulfate (Solvazinc tablets) 125 mg orally does not affect atazanavir concentrations in patients being treated with atazanavir/ritonavir, co-administration of zinc sulfate 125 mg daily for 2 weeks reduces plasma levels of atazanavir by about 22% in these patients. However, despite this decrease, atazanavir levels still remain at high enough concentrations for the prevention of HIV virus replication.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Zinc full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Thymus NF, from the product label.

Douglas Laboratories

See all Douglas Laboratories products
Name
Douglas Laboratories
Street Address
600 Boyce Road
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
ZipCode
15205
Phone Number
1.800.245.4440
Web Address
www.douglaslabs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Thymus NF by Douglas Laboratories: Common Questions

Does Thymus NF by Douglas Laboratories interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Thymus NF has a known interaction with 1,153 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Thymus NF contains 4 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is Thymus NF safe during pregnancy?
Zinc is rated likely safe in pregnancy at normal dietary levels. However, we don't have enough safety data on reishi mushroom or echinacea in pregnancy — the safety notes advise against using reishi and recommend avoiding echinacea unless your doctor approves. Talk with your own doctor or pharmacist before taking this product during pregnancy.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking Thymus NF?
Zinc is rated likely safe during lactation. Reishi mushroom is best avoided while breastfeeding due to insufficient safety data. There is not enough information on echinacea and breastfeeding in our data. Discuss this with your own doctor or pharmacist before using it.
What's the most common side effect?
Zinc can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and a metallic taste — these are dose-related and more likely at higher doses. Reishi may cause dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, rash, or stomach upset. Echinacea may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, or rash.
Can I take Thymus NF with my antibiotic?
This depends on which antibiotic. Zinc can significantly reduce absorption of quinolone antibiotics (like ciprofloxacin), tetracyclines, and cephalexin. If you take one of these, you'd need to space the supplement and antibiotic several hours apart. Talk with your own pharmacist about the exact timing for your specific antibiotic.
Does this product actually work for immune health?
Zinc is effective for zinc deficiency but the evidence we hold doesn't establish that reishi mushroom or echinacea work for immune support, though they're traditionally used that way. The data shows insufficient evidence to rate their effectiveness for this purpose.

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.

Thymus NF label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Thymus NF’s Ingredients

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

Herb & supplement monograph

Zinc

Interacts with 67 drugs

Zinc is an essential mineral that your body needs for immune function, wound healing, taste, and smell. Most people get enough from food, but supplements can help correct or prevent a defici...

Read the full Zinc monograph → Herb & supplement monograph

Reishi Mushroom

Interacts with 375 drugs

Reishi is a traditional Asian mushroom widely used to support the immune system and overall wellness. Human evidence for most of its claimed benefits is limited or low-quality, so it should...

Read the full Reishi Mushroom 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

Thymus NF'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 156 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.

Zinc 88 references
  1. Barceloux DG. Zinc. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1999;37:279-92.
  2. Eby GA, Davis DR, Halcomb WW. Reduction in duration of common colds by zinc gluconate lozenges in a double-blind study. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1984;25:20-4. DOI
  3. Smith DS, Helzner EC, Nuttall CE Jr, et al. Failure of zinc gluconate in treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1989;33:646-8. PubMed
  4. Blondeau JM. Expanded activity and utility of the new fluoroquinolones: a review. Clin Ther 1999;21:3-40. PubMed
  5. Reyes AJ, Olhaberry JV, Leary WP, et al. Urinary zinc excretion, diuretics, zinc deficiency and some side-effects of diuretics. S Afr Med J 1983;64:936-41.
  6. Kugelmas M. Preliminary observation: oral zinc sulfate replacement is effective in treating muscle cramps in cirrhotic patients. J Am Coll Nutr 2000;19:13-5. PubMed
  7. Hebel SK, ed. Drug Facts and Comparisons. 52nd ed. St. Louis: Facts and Comparisons, 1998.
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See these in context on the Echinacea 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

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