Does Genistein Interact With Abiraterone?

In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses the use of genistein with abiraterone.

2 min read Updated Jun 2026 Read by 235 people
Does Genistein Interact With Abiraterone?
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Tom asked

Is it safe to take Genistein with abiraterone?

Jun 26, 2023
The quick answer
  • There is limited information available on a potential interaction between genistein and abiraterone, and no direct evidence of a drug interaction has been found.
  • Genistein is not known to affect the liver enzyme (CYP2D6) that primarily metabolizes abiraterone.
  • You should consult with your doctor before taking genistein with abiraterone so they can provide personalized advice based on your specific health situation.
A quick summary of Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD's full answer below, condensed by AI from that answer only (not from any outside source). The pharmacist's answer is the source of record.
Medications in this answer — tap to explore

Quick Answer

There is limited information available on the potential interaction between genistein and abiraterone. While there is no direct evidence of a drug interaction, it is always recommended to consult with your doctor before taking any new supplements or making changes to your medication regimen.

They can provide personalized advice based on your specific health condition and medications and can monitor you accordingly when changes to your medication regimen are made.

Detailed Answer

Genistein is a naturally occurring compound found in soybeans and other legumes. It is classified as a phytoestrogen due to its structural similarity to estrogen.

Genistein has been studied for its potential health benefits, particularly in relation to hormone-related conditions such as menopausal symptoms and certain types of cancers.

When it comes to drug interactions, the available information on genistein is limited, and specific interactions with abiraterone have not been well studied (I personally could not find any studies where the two were referenced together).

Some evidence suggests that genistein may interact with caffeine and may affect the activity of the liver enzyme CYP2C9, which is involved in the metabolism of many drugs. It is important to note that most of these findings are based on animal studies, and more research is needed to understand the potential interactions in humans.

Abiraterone, a medication used to treat certain types of cancer, works by inhibiting an enzyme called CYP17, which is involved in the production of testosterone.

It is primarily metabolized by the liver, primarily through the CYP2D6 enzyme pathway.

Genistein is not known to affect this enzyme (CYP2D6) but given the limited available information on genistein and the lack of specific studies on its interaction with abiraterone, it is difficult to definitively determine whether there would be any significant interactions between the two.

Final Words

In summary, there is currently limited information on the potential interaction between genistein and abiraterone. Genistein has not been extensively studied for drug interactions, and specific studies on its interaction with abiraterone are lacking.

It is always recommended to consult with your doctor before taking any new supplements or making changes to your medication regimen as they know your medical situation best and can monitor you accordingly.

Thanks for reaching out!

References & sources
  1. Genistein alters caffeine exposure in healthy female volunteers — PubMed
  2. Genistein Exposure Interferes with Pharmacokinetics of Celecoxib in SD Male Rats by UPLC-MS/MS — PubMed
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
Phytoestrogen
A naturally occurring plant compound that mimics the structure and effects of the hormone estrogen in the body.
CYP2C9
A liver enzyme that helps break down and eliminate many different drugs from the body.
CYP17
An enzyme involved in the production of testosterone that is targeted and blocked by the drug abiraterone.
Inhibiting
Blocking or reducing the activity or function of something, such as an enzyme or biological process.
Metabolism
The chemical process by which the body breaks down and processes drugs, nutrients, and other substances.
CYP2D6
A liver enzyme that is primarily responsible for breaking down and eliminating abiraterone from the body.
Enzyme pathway
A series of chemical reactions in the body where enzymes work together to transform or eliminate a substance.
Drug interaction
A situation where one substance affects how another substance works in the body, potentially changing its safety or effectiveness.
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Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
About the pharmacist

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD

Clinical Pharmacy

Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified

Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...

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