Drug interactions
Echinacea + Leflunomide
Severity: Minor
Echinacea and Leflunomide: 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 has immune-stimulating properties that could theoretically oppose the immunosuppressive effects of leflunomide. The clinical significance is uncertain.
What this interaction means in plain words
Echinacea and Leflunomide 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; Leflunomide belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic opposition between immunostimulant herbal constituents and leflunomide's immunosuppression; not well established.
What to do
Advise patients with autoimmune disease to avoid echinacea. Monitor disease activity if it is used.
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 Leflunomide
- Bcg vaccine live + Leflunomide Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Leflunomide Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Measles vaccine Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Smallpox vaccine live 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 Leflunomide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Echinacea and Leflunomide 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 has immune-stimulating properties that could theoretically oppose the immunosuppressive effects of leflunomide. The clinical significance is uncertain.
How serious is the interaction between Echinacea and Leflunomide?
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 with autoimmune disease to avoid echinacea. Monitor disease activity if it is used.
What other medicines interact with Leflunomide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Leflunomide with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live. The full list is on the Leflunomide page.
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