Is Breztri Safe To Take With Mullein Tea?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses the combined use of Breztri and mullein tea.
I use Breztri Aerosphere twice daily for COPD. Breztri is an inhaler that contains budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol. Is it safe to drink mullein tea while using this medication?
Apr 21, 2025- Mullein tea does not appear to interact with the active ingredients in Breztri based on available evidence. Mullein has only shown very mild blood-thinning effects in lab studies, not in humans, and these effects are unlikely to be clinically significant. As with any new supplement, discuss mullein tea with your healthcare provider before starting it, especially if you take other medications or have a bleeding disorder.
Answer
Thanks so much for reaching out! It's great that you're looking out for potential interactions between prescription medications and herbal supplements.
Does Mullein Interact with Breztri?
Mullein is a traditional herbal remedy commonly used for respiratory conditions. It contains various bioactive compounds, including mucilage, flavonoids, saponins, and phenolic acids. As a natural medicine, it is often used for its:
- Expectorant and soothing effects on the respiratory tract
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
- Mild antispasmodic action
- Antiviral activity
Its most common use is for respiratory conditions, and is thought by many to help clear mucus and open the airways.
Although mullein is generally considered safe, especially in tea form, some lab studies have shown very mild anticoagulant effects due to its triterpene saponin content. These effects have not been demonstrated in human trials and are considered minor and unlikely to be clinically significant.
Breztri Aerosphere is a combination inhaler containing:
- Budesonide: an inhaled corticosteroid to reduce inflammation
- Glycopyrrolate: a long-acting muscarinic antagonist to relax airway muscles and dry secretions
- Formoterol: a long-acting beta-agonist that opens the airways
Based on available data, mullein does not appear to interact with any of these three active ingredients.
Additionally, Breztri is not known to affect blood clotting or platelet function, and the mild blood-thinning effects of mullein (seen only in lab studies) are not expected to be clinically relevant for most individuals.
Summary
The available evidence suggests it is safe to use/drink mullein tea while taking Breztri. Just be mindful of any unusual symptoms, and as always, speak with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re on other medications or have a bleeding disorder. Thanks again for reaching out!
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Bioactive compounds
- Natural substances in plants that have an effect on living organisms or cells.
- Expectorant
- A substance that helps thin and clear mucus from the respiratory tract.
- Antispasmodic
- A substance that relieves or prevents involuntary muscle contractions or spasms.
- Anticoagulant
- A substance that slows or prevents blood clotting.
- Corticosteroid
- A type of medication that reduces inflammation and suppresses immune system activity.
- Muscarinic antagonist
- A medication that blocks certain nerve signals to relax muscles and reduce fluid secretions.
- Beta-agonist
- A medication that activates certain receptors in the body to relax airway muscles and improve breathing.
- Clinically significant
- Important or meaningful enough to have a noticeable effect on a person's health or treatment.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
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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