Is Terry Naturally Anxiocalm Safe With Amlodipine?

Answer

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Terry Naturally Anxiocalm contains a patented form of echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia) extract, known as EP107. While this extract is standardized to contain specific components of echinacea, I'll answer this question through the lens of the safety of echinacea as a whole with blood pressure medications, like amlodipine.

Echinacea With Amlodipine

While echinacea isn't particularly known for its blood pressure-lowering effects, studies do suggest that it may interact with certain blood pressure medications based on how they are metabolized in the body.

In this regard, there is a potential interaction between echinacea and amlodipine, but it is unknown just how clinically significant it is.

There have been a number of conflicting studies published showing that echinacea can affect a major metabolizing enzyme in the body, CYP3A4. Amlodipine is metabolized by this enzyme.

Some studies, such as one published in the journal 'Pharmacotherapy', report that echinacea can induce CYP3A4, increasing its activity, and thus, metabolizing drugs more quickly. Other conflicting studies report it can inhibit it, slowing the metabolism of drugs.

However, most studies, including one published in the journal 'Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics' report no effects at all on the enzyme. 

All of this leaves the situation with some ambiguity. It seems, based on the data available, that the reason for these different effects may be due to the type of echinacea used, if it's mixed with other herbs/medication, and specific differences among individuals.

The takeaway for me is echinacea may affect how your body processes certain medications and sometimes it can make medication more or less effective.

So, circling back around to amlodipine, echinacea may make it more or less effective. Studies suggest that change in effectiveness would likely be relatively minor, but it is important to monitor your blood pressure if you combine echinacea supplements (including Terry Naturally Anxiocalm) with amlodipine. Certainly, let your doctor know of all the medications you are taking.

Just as a reference here too, other blood pressure medications that are metabolized by CYP3A4, and therefore may be affected by echinacea, include:

• Verapamil
• Diltiazem
• Losartan
• Felodipine
• Nifedipine

Final Words

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