Drug interactions
Echinacea + Infliximab
Severity: Minor
Echinacea and Infliximab: minor 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 may stimulate immune activity and could theoretically blunt the effect of immunosuppressants such as infliximab. The clinical significance is unclear.
What this interaction means in plain words
Echinacea and Infliximab have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Echinacea belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Infliximab belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Theoretical pharmacodynamic opposition, since echinacea is an immune stimulant.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid echinacea products. Monitor for loss of disease control.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Infliximab
- Bcg vaccine live + Infliximab Contraindicated
- Infliximab + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Infliximab + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Infliximab + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Infliximab + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Infliximab + Measles 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 Echinacea with Infliximab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Echinacea and Infliximab have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Echinacea may stimulate immune activity and could theoretically blunt the effect of immunosuppressants such as infliximab. The clinical significance is unclear.
How serious is the interaction between Echinacea and Infliximab?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to avoid echinacea products. Monitor for loss of disease control.
What other medicines interact with Infliximab?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Infliximab with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine. The full list is on the Infliximab page.
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