Drug interactions
Cyclosporin + Echinacea
Severity: Moderate
Cyclosporin 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 oppose cyclosporin's immunosuppression and raise the risk of rejection or disease flare. The clinical significance is uncertain.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclosporin 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.
Cyclosporin belongs to Miscellaneous; Echinacea belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism through immune stimulation; a minor CYP3A4 effect is also possible.
What to do
Advise transplant and autoimmune patients to avoid echinacea products; if used, monitor for loss of immunosuppressive efficacy.
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 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
Other interactions of Echinacea
- Alefacept + Echinacea Moderate
- Antithymocyte globulin equine + Echinacea Moderate
- Antithymocyte globulin rabbit + Echinacea Moderate
- Azathioprine + Echinacea Moderate
- Basiliximab + Echinacea Moderate
- Cyclosporine + Echinacea Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cyclosporin with Echinacea?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cyclosporin 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 oppose cyclosporin's immunosuppression and raise the risk of rejection or disease flare. The clinical significance is uncertain.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclosporin 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 transplant and autoimmune patients to avoid echinacea products; if used, monitor for loss of immunosuppressive efficacy.
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.
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