Does Wild Lettuce Interact With Losartan?

Quick Answer

There is no known interaction between wild lettuce and losartan. Although there are very few studies available that discuss the potential drug interactions of wild lettuce, it doesn't appear to interact with losartan or other blood pressure medications.

Detailed Answer

Wild lettuce, also known as Lactuca virosa, is a plant that is native to Europe and Central Asia and has a long history of use as a natural remedy for various ailments, including pain, anxiety, and insomnia. It is also commonly used for gastrointestinal conditions.

The plant's leaves, sap, and stems contain a milky white fluid that has been used to make teas and dietary supplements. The active compounds in wild lettuce, which include lactucin and lactupicrin, are thought to have sedative, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects, but more research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits.

In terms of drug interactions, wild lettuce likely has very few that are clinically significant.

We report in our drug-herbal interaction checker that it may interact with drugs that have a pronounced sedative effect (like Benadryl) as wild lettuce is often used for its sedative properties. Combining wild lettuce with other drugs that make you tired could have an additive effect in that regard.

Additionally, as wild lettuce may contain trace amounts of hyoscyamine, an anticholinergic, it should be used cautiously with other drugs that have anticholinergic effects due to the increased risk of side effects (which include dizziness, dry mouth, sweating, constipation, etc...).

I could find no evidence that wild lettuce interacts with losartan. The only thing I could think of is if losartan causes you to feel tired at all, which is an effect that some blood pressure medications have on people. In that case, due to the sedative effects of wild lettuce, that effect may be more pronounced. Nevertheless, this is something to be more aware of than anything versus it being classified as a drug interaction.

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