Suggested Dosing
Crude herb extract
20-240 mg/d div BID-TID PO
Fluid extract
40 gtt/d PO
Dried fruit extract
1.6-3 mg PO BID
Tincture
35-45 gtt PO TID
Other Information
PMS: 4-20 mg/d
PMDD: 20-40 mg/d
No more than 1800 mg/d
Suggested Uses
Acne, benign prostatic hyperplasia, fibrocystic breast disease, impotence, infertility (female), lactation, menopausal symptoms, menstrual irregularities, premenstrual syndrome, progesterone insufficiency
Efficacy
RCT (BMJ 2001;322:134-137) demonstrated benefit vs. placebo
Possibly effective for treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Contraindicated (0)
Serious - Use Alternative (0)
Monitor Closely (0)
Minor (23)
- aripiprazole
chasteberry decreases effects of aripiprazole by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- benperidol
chasteberry decreases effects of benperidol by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- chlorpromazine
chasteberry decreases effects of chlorpromazine by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- clozapine
chasteberry decreases effects of clozapine by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- droperidol
chasteberry decreases effects of droperidol by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- fluphenazine
chasteberry decreases effects of fluphenazine by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- haloperidol
chasteberry decreases effects of haloperidol by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- iloperidone
chasteberry decreases effects of iloperidone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- loxapine
chasteberry decreases effects of loxapine by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- loxapine inhaled
chasteberry decreases effects of loxapine inhaled by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- olanzapine
chasteberry decreases effects of olanzapine by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- paliperidone
chasteberry decreases effects of paliperidone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- perphenazine
chasteberry decreases effects of perphenazine by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- pimozide
chasteberry decreases effects of pimozide by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- prochlorperazine
chasteberry decreases effects of prochlorperazine by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- promethazine
chasteberry decreases effects of promethazine by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- quetiapine
chasteberry decreases effects of quetiapine by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- risperidone
chasteberry decreases effects of risperidone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- thioridazine
chasteberry decreases effects of thioridazine by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- thiothixene
chasteberry decreases effects of thiothixene by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- trifluoperazine
chasteberry decreases effects of trifluoperazine by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- ziprasidone
chasteberry decreases effects of ziprasidone by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
- zotepine
chasteberry decreases effects of zotepine by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
Acne
Agitation
Allergic reactions
Alopecia
Dry mouth
GI upset
Headache
Intramenstrual bleeding
Itching
Menstrual flow changes
Nausea
Rash
Tachycardia
Tiredness
Urticaria
Warnings
Contraindications
Breast cancer, endometriosis, hormone sensitive conditions, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, uterine fibroids
Cautions
In vitro fertilization
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: unsafe
Lactation: unsafe
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: N/A
Mechanism of Action
Increase progesterone:estrogen ratio by decreasing FSH release