Drug interactions
Azathioprine + Echinacea
Severity: Moderate
Azathioprine and Echinacea: 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
Echinacea has immunostimulant properties that could theoretically oppose the immunosuppressive effect of azathioprine. This could reduce disease control or graft protection, although clinical data are lacking.
What this interaction means in plain words
Azathioprine and Echinacea 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.
Azathioprine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Echinacea belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Theoretical pharmacodynamic antagonism between immune stimulation by echinacea and immunosuppression by azathioprine; not well established.
What to do
Advise patients on azathioprine to avoid echinacea products. If used, monitor for loss of disease control or signs of graft rejection.
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?
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Other interactions of Azathioprine
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Azathioprine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Bcg vaccine live Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Febuxostat Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
Other interactions of Echinacea
- Alefacept + Echinacea Moderate
- Antithymocyte globulin equine + Echinacea Moderate
- Antithymocyte globulin rabbit + Echinacea Moderate
- Basiliximab + Echinacea Moderate
- Cyclosporine + Echinacea Moderate
- Cyclosporin + Echinacea Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Azathioprine with Echinacea?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Azathioprine and Echinacea 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. Echinacea has immunostimulant properties that could theoretically oppose the immunosuppressive effect of azathioprine. This could reduce disease control or graft protection, although clinical data are lacking.
How serious is the interaction between Azathioprine and Echinacea?
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 patients on azathioprine to avoid echinacea products. If used, monitor for loss of disease control or signs of graft rejection.
What other medicines interact with Azathioprine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Azathioprine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Febuxostat. The full list is on the Azathioprine page.
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