Drug interactions
Echinacea + Oxaliplatin
Severity: Minor
Echinacea and Oxaliplatin: 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 counter immunosuppressive treatments. There is no solid evidence it reduces oxaliplatin's anticancer activity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Echinacea and Oxaliplatin 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; Oxaliplatin belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Theoretical immune stimulation; no established pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic mechanism with oxaliplatin.
What to do
No routine action beyond awareness is needed. Ask patients about herbal supplement use and advise avoiding unnecessary supplements during chemotherapy.
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 Oxaliplatin
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Oxaliplatin 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 Oxaliplatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Echinacea and Oxaliplatin 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 counter immunosuppressive treatments. There is no solid evidence it reduces oxaliplatin's anticancer activity.
How serious is the interaction between Echinacea and Oxaliplatin?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine action beyond awareness is needed. Ask patients about herbal supplement use and advise avoiding unnecessary supplements during chemotherapy.
What other medicines interact with Oxaliplatin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxaliplatin with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal. The full list is on the Oxaliplatin page.
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