Drug interactions
Cyclosporine + Echinacea
Severity: Moderate
Cyclosporine 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's immunostimulatory activity may theoretically counteract cyclosporine immunosuppression in transplant or autoimmune patients, raising rejection or flare risk. Some data suggest echinacea may also modestly affect CYP3A activity, though the findings are inconsistent.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclosporine 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.
Why it happens
Theoretical pharmacodynamic antagonism by immune stimulation, with possible minor CYP3A modulation.
What to do
Advise transplant recipients to avoid echinacea. If used, monitor cyclosporine trough concentrations and graft function.
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 Echinacea
- Alefacept + Echinacea Moderate
- Antithymocyte globulin equine + Echinacea Moderate
- Antithymocyte globulin rabbit + Echinacea Moderate
- Azathioprine + Echinacea Moderate
- Basiliximab + Echinacea Moderate
- Cyclosporin + Echinacea Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cyclosporine with Echinacea?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cyclosporine 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's immunostimulatory activity may theoretically counteract cyclosporine immunosuppression in transplant or autoimmune patients, raising rejection or flare risk. Some data suggest echinacea may also modestly affect CYP3A activity, though the findings are inconsistent.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclosporine 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 recipients to avoid echinacea. If used, monitor cyclosporine trough concentrations and graft function.
What other medicines interact with Echinacea?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Echinacea with, for example, Alefacept, Antithymocyte globulin equine, Antithymocyte globulin rabbit. The full list is on the Echinacea page.
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