Drug interactions
Astragalus + Cyclosporin
Severity: Moderate
Astragalus and Cyclosporin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Astragalus has reported immunostimulant properties that could oppose the immunosuppression needed after transplantation or in autoimmune disease. This could theoretically raise the risk of rejection or disease flare. The evidence is limited and the effect is not well defined.
What this interaction means in plain words
Astragalus and Cyclosporin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Possible pharmacodynamic antagonism through immune stimulation by astragalus; the mechanism is not firmly established.
What to do
Advise transplant and autoimmune patients to avoid astragalus supplements. If used, monitor for signs of rejection or disease activity and check cyclosporine levels.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Astragalus and Cyclosporin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Cyclosporin
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Aliskiren + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bosentan + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cidofovir + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Dengue vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Astragalus with Cyclosporin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Astragalus and Cyclosporin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Astragalus has reported immunostimulant properties that could oppose the immunosuppression needed after transplantation or in autoimmune disease. This could theoretically raise the risk of rejection or disease flare. The evidence is limited and the effect is not well defined.
How serious is the interaction between Astragalus and Cyclosporin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise transplant and autoimmune patients to avoid astragalus supplements. If used, monitor for signs of rejection or disease activity and check cyclosporine levels.
What other medicines interact with Cyclosporin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cyclosporin with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Aliskiren, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Cyclosporin page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
