Boswellia With Xarelto Interaction Discussion

Answer

Hello and thanks for reaching out!

I looked up this product on the Osteo-Bi-Flex website and found this: UC II Collagen For Joints - Mini Pill - Osteo Bi-Flex® Ease. It contains the ingredients you listed in your question, so I assume this is the correct product. Let me know if you are referring to something else.

Based on the website, it contains:

• UC-II Collagen
• Boswellia serrata Extract (5-LOXIN)

There is no known interaction between UC-II collagen and Xarelto. However, our 'drug-herbal interaction checker' does list one between Boswellia and Xarelto.

Boswellia - Xarelto Interaction Details

The interaction here is not because Boswellia has any known significant blood-thinning effects, but rather, is due to its potential to inhibit the CYP3A4 metabolizing enzyme.

Xarelto is metabolized via the CYP3A4 enzyme, and inhibitors of it can cause an increase in drug levels in the body, increasing the risk of side effects like bleeding.

So, on the surface, there is certainly concern about combining Boswellia with Xarelto (increased bleeding risk).

However, as I wrote about on the individual interaction page for Boswellia and Xarelto, it's unlikely that there is a major interaction here (caution is still advised though).

Boswellia trees produce a resin known as frankincense, which contains various compounds, including boswellic acids. Most Boswellia supplements are standardized for boswellic acid content and have less of the other compounds typically found in frankincense.

Recent studies suggest that while frankincense resin may inhibit the enzyme CYP3A4, this effect is not primarily due to boswellic acids. Supplements with high boswellic acid levels may pose a lower risk of drug interactions compared to full frankincense extracts since most studies conclude that it is mainly the other components in frankincense that are responsible for CYP3A4 inhibition.

The Boswellia extract in the Osteo-Bi-Flex product, 5-LOXIN, is standardized for a high content of boswellic acids. It would be less likely to significantly impact the CYP3A4 enzyme and, consequently, Xarelto, than a straight frankincense extract.

Regardless, I do think it's important to point out that this is all theoretical based mostly on lab studies. I couldn't find any studies that specifically evaluated the combined use of Boswellia and Xarelto in humans. Although in my opinion a clinically significant interaction is unlikely, there is still a risk that exists, especially in certain high-risk individuals.

Therefore, you should speak with your doctor before combining Boswellia and Xarelto so you can be appropriately monitored. If you do take them together under your doctor's supervision, be sure to look out for signs of easy bruising and bleeding.

Final Words

I hope you found this helpful. Be sure to reach out anytime.