Drug interactions
Echinacea + Tacrolimus
Severity: Moderate
Echinacea and Tacrolimus: 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 has immunostimulant properties that may theoretically oppose tacrolimus immunosuppression and raise the risk of rejection. Evidence is limited and inconsistent.
What this interaction means in plain words
Echinacea and Tacrolimus 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 belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Tacrolimus belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Theoretical pharmacodynamic antagonism through immune stimulation.
What to do
Advise transplant patients to avoid echinacea products. Monitor graft function if used.
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 Tacrolimus
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Cidofovir + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Tacrolimus Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Tacrolimus 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 Tacrolimus?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Echinacea and Tacrolimus 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 has immunostimulant properties that may theoretically oppose tacrolimus immunosuppression and raise the risk of rejection. Evidence is limited and inconsistent.
How serious is the interaction between Echinacea and Tacrolimus?
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 patients to avoid echinacea products. Monitor graft function if used.
What other medicines interact with Tacrolimus?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tacrolimus with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Bcg vaccine live, Cidofovir. The full list is on the Tacrolimus page.
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