Is Burdock Root Safe To Take With Orgovyx?

In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist discusses the safety of combining burdock root with the prostate cancer drug Orgovyx.

Question

Good afternoon, doctor. Thank you for your response to my earlier question; we appreciate it. I have another question about herbal teas and remedies interacting with Orgovyx, which I'm taking for my treatment of prostate cancer. Can I take burdock root (Lappa) and Orgovyx at the same time? Thanks!

Asked by Concerned Patient On Mar 10, 2023

Answered by
Medical Content Reviewed By HelloPharmacist Staff

Published Mar 11, 2023
Last updated Apr 04, 2024

Key points

  • There is currently no known interaction between burdock (Arctium lappa) and Orgovyx.
  • Burdock root has not been extensively studied for interactions with other drugs, so it's important to speak with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements or making any changes to your medication regimen so you can be appropriately monitored.

Quick Answer

While there is minimal data available to make a definitive determination of the safety of combining burdock (Arctium lappa) and Orgovyx, there is currently no known interaction between the two.

Detailed Answer

Burdock root, also known as Arctium lappa, is used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of conditions, such as skin disorders, digestive issues, and arthritis.

Despite its long history of use, burdock root has not been extensively studied for interactions with other drugs.

The only reported interactions with burdock root are theoretical ones with anticoagulants and antiplatelets, like Plavix and Coumadin. Burdock root contains compounds that can affect blood clotting, so it is possible that taking burdock root with anticoagulants could increase the risk of bleeding.

For example, one study found that burdock may inhibit a molecule known as 'platelet-activating factor (PAF)' which plays an important role on platelets, causing them to become activated and aggregate (stick together).

However, it must be noted that has not been confirmed in clinical studies with humans, and there are no reports of bleeding complications associated with burdock root use (at least that I could find). 

Moving on to Orgovyx (Relugolix), it is a prescription medication used to treat advanced prostate cancer in adult males and works by blocking the production of certain hormones that can stimulate the growth of cancer cells.

There is no evidence to suggest that burdock root interferes with the drug's mechanism of action or its metabolism in the body and it's unlikely an interaction exists.

Nevertheless, it has to be reiterated that burdock root has not been extensively studied for interactions with other drugs, including Orgovyx, and there is always the possibility of unexpected interactions.

Therefore, if you are taking Orgovyx or any other medication, it is always a good idea to speak with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements or making any changes to your diet or medication regimen.

Final Words

Thanks for contacting us again!

I highly suggest using our 'drug-herbal interaction' checker to look up your drugs for known interactions with herbals. If you find something of note, you can always write to us and we can provide more context.

References

  • Platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists contained in medicinal plants: lignans and sesquiterpenes, PubMed
  • Orgovyx Prescribing Information, AccessFDA

About the Pharmacist

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD

Dr. Brian has been practicing pharmacy for over 13 years and has wide-ranging experiences in many different areas of the profession. From retail, clinical, program development, and administrative responsibilities, he's your knowledgeable and go-to source for all your pharmacy and medication-related questions! Dr. Brian Staiger also has herbalist training and educational certificates in the field of medical ethnobotany. Feel free to send him an email at [email protected]! You can also connect with Dr. Brian Staiger on LinkedIn.

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