Is Elderberry Safe To Take With Motrin?

Hello and thanks for reaching out to us! We're more than happy to help with potential drug interaction questions, especially where it involves herbal or supplements since there is a general lack of data available regarding those.

Based on published studies evaluating elderberry and what we know about Motrin (ibuprofen), there are no known or expected interactions between the drugs. They are considered safe to take together.

So, if you have cold or flu symptoms, and you want to take a supplement that contains elderberry, you can feel safe doing so. This also applies to elderberry products (i.e. Zarbee's Immune) with Children's Motrin. They are safe to combine.

What Is Elderberry?

Elderberry has a long history of use medically for its purported immune system enhancing effects. It is mostly marketed in over-the-counter supplements to help shorten the duration of colds and the flu. Although there have been relatively few studies testing how well it works in this regard, some small clinical studies have shown it can affect different components of the immune system (e.g. cytokines) and may have positive benefits in healthy adults and children. Other studies have shown no benefit, however. More rigorous studies are needed to better understand exactly the benefits it can have as a supplement.

Regardless, elderberry seems relatively safe to use in amounts that would commonly be found in food. In fact, it is 'generally recognized as safe' (GRAS) by the FDA.

There are no known drug interactions between elderberry and prescription or over-the-counter medications. Based on studies showing that it may have immunostimulating effects, it theoretically could interact with immunosuppressants, but this has not been shown clinically. Regardless, simply due to the lack of studies, it should not be combined with drugs that are supposed to suppress the immune system.

What Is Motrin?

Ibuprofen is available both over-the-counter (as 200mg) and as a prescription (as 400mg, 600mg and 800mg). It is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints) and rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints). It is also used to relieve mild to moderate pain, including menstrual pain (pain that happens before or during a menstrual period).

Ibuprofen is classified as an NSAID (non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug) and works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation.

Final Words

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