Drug interactions
Echinacea + Lomustine
Severity: Minor
Echinacea and Lomustine: 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 immunostimulatory effects that could theoretically counter the intended cytotoxic or immunosuppressive effects of chemotherapy. Clinical evidence of reduced lomustine efficacy is lacking.
What this interaction means in plain words
Echinacea and Lomustine 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; Lomustine belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Theoretical pharmacodynamic opposition through immune stimulation; not established.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid echinacea products during lomustine therapy as a precaution.
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 Lomustine
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Lomustine Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Lomustine Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Lomustine Contraindicated
- Lomustine + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Lomustine + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Lomustine + Measles mumps rubella and varicella 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 Lomustine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Echinacea and Lomustine 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 immunostimulatory effects that could theoretically counter the intended cytotoxic or immunosuppressive effects of chemotherapy. Clinical evidence of reduced lomustine efficacy is lacking.
How serious is the interaction between Echinacea and Lomustine?
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 during lomustine therapy as a precaution.
What other medicines interact with Lomustine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lomustine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal. The full list is on the Lomustine page.
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