herb drug interaction
2 interactions related to herb drug interaction
cyclosporine + st. john's wort
St. John's wort is a potent inducer of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, the enzyme and transporter that clear cyclosporine. Taking the two together markedly lowers cyclosporine blood levels, which can render the drug subtherapeutic. This has caused documented acute organ rejection in transplant recipients, making the combination a contraindication.
cyclosporine + echinacea
Echinacea is marketed as an immune stimulant, and laboratory studies suggest it can activate parts of the immune system. Cyclosporine works in the opposite direction, suppressing immune activity to prevent transplant rejection and control autoimmune disease. The two therefore have opposing pharmacology, so combining them is generally discouraged. The real-world clinical importance is uncertain — there are no solid human reports of rejection caused by echinacea alone — but the theoretical conflict is enough to warrant caution.