Echinacea (Herb/Suppl)

Brand and Other Names:black sampson, black Susans, more...Brauneria angustifolia, Brauneria pallida, Brauneria spp, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, Echinacea purpurea, Indian head, purple cone flower, red sunflower

Suggested Dosing

Oral

Herb juice

  • 6-9 ml PO daily OR
  • 20 gtts PO q2hr x 24 hours then TID

Crude herb extract

  • 2 tabs (6.78mg) PO TID

Echinacea pallida root tincture

  • 900 mg PO daily

Herbal compound tea

  • 5-6 cups PO on day 1, THEN
  • Decrease by 1 cup/day over 5 days]

No more than 8 weeks continuous use

Topical

Apply to affected area

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Suggested Uses

Common cold, herpes simplex infection (topical), immunostimulant, psoriasis (topical), upper respiratory tract infections (viral), urinary tract infections, vaginal candidiasis, skin wounds (topical), skin ulcers (topical)

Efficacy

Demonstrated effective in symptom reduction and prophylaxis of cold, flu, URI

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Interactions

Interaction Checker

and Echinacea

No Results

     activity indicator 
    No Interactions Found
    Interactions Found

    Contraindicated

      Serious - Use Alternative

        Significant - Monitor Closely

          Minor

            All Interactions Sort By:
             activity indicator 

            Contraindicated (0)

              Serious - Use Alternative (1)

              • beclomethasone, inhaled

                echinacea decreases effects of beclomethasone, inhaled by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Monitor for reduced efficacy of immunosuppressant when used concomitantly.

              Monitor Closely (34)

              • adalimumab

                adalimumab increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • alefacept

                alefacept increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • anakinra

                anakinra increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • antithymocyte globulin equine

                antithymocyte globulin equine increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • antithymocyte globulin rabbit

                antithymocyte globulin rabbit increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • azathioprine

                azathioprine increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • basiliximab

                basiliximab increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • canakinumab

                canakinumab increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • cyclosporine

                cyclosporine increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • etanercept

                etanercept increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • everolimus

                everolimus increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • glatiramer

                glatiramer increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • golimumab

                golimumab increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • hydroxychloroquine sulfate

                hydroxychloroquine sulfate increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • hydroxyurea

                echinacea decreases effects of hydroxyurea by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Echinacea may decrease therapeutic effects of immunosuppressants.

              • ifosfamide

                echinacea decreases effects of ifosfamide by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Echinacea is reported possess immunostimulatory activity demonstrated by activation of macrophages (releasing interleukin-1), and proliferation of B-lymphocytes; theoretically, may oppose the therapeutic effects of immunosuppressants.

              • infliximab

                infliximab increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • leflunomide

                leflunomide increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • lomustine

                echinacea decreases effects of lomustine by immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Use Caution/Monitor. Echinacea is reported possess immunostimulatory activity demonstrated by activation of macrophages (releasing interleukin-1), and proliferation of B-lymphocytes; theoretically, may oppose the therapeutic effects of immunosuppressants.

              • mechlorethamine

                echinacea decreases effects of mechlorethamine by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Echinacea is reported possess immunostimulatory activity demonstrated by activation of macrophages (releasing interleukin-1), and proliferation of B-lymphocytes; theoretically, may oppose the therapeutic effects of immunosuppressants.

              • melphalan

                echinacea decreases effects of melphalan by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Echinacea is reported possess immunostimulatory activity demonstrated by activation of macrophages (releasing interleukin-1), and proliferation of B-lymphocytes; theoretically, may oppose the therapeutic effects of immunosuppressants.

              • mercaptopurine

                mercaptopurine, echinacea. immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Use Caution/Monitor. Theoretically echinacea may antagonize the effects of immunosuppressants.

              • methotrexate

                methotrexate increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • muromonab CD3

                muromonab CD3 increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • mycophenolate

                mycophenolate increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • oxaliplatin

                echinacea decreases effects of oxaliplatin by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Echinacea is reported possess immunostimulatory activity demonstrated by activation of macrophages (releasing interleukin-1), and proliferation of B-lymphocytes; theoretically, may oppose the therapeutic effects of immunosuppressants.

              • procarbazine

                echinacea decreases effects of procarbazine by immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Echinacea is reported possess immunostimulatory activity demonstrated by activation of macrophages (releasing interleukin-1), and proliferation of B-lymphocytes; theoretically, may oppose the therapeutic effects of immunosuppressants.

              • rilonacept

                rilonacept increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • sirolimus

                sirolimus increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • tacrolimus

                tacrolimus increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • temsirolimus

                temsirolimus increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • tocilizumab

                tocilizumab increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor. .

              • tongkat ali

                tongkat ali increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              • ustekinumab

                ustekinumab increases and echinacea decreases immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.

              Minor (2)

              • astragalus

                astragalus and echinacea both decrease immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Minor/Significance Unknown.

              • maitake

                echinacea and maitake both decrease immunosuppressive effects; risk of infection. Minor/Significance Unknown.

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              Adverse Effects

              Frequency Not Defined

              Abdominal pain

              Allergic reactions

              Altered fertility

              Diarrhea

              Dizziness

              Erythema (topical use)

              Exanthema (topical use)

              Fever

              Nausea/vomiting

              Pruritis (topical use)

              Sore throat

              Unpleasant taste

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              Warnings

              Contraindications

              Hypersensivity to Asteraceae/Compositae plants, chrysanthemums, daisies, marigolds, ragweed

              Autoimmune disorders, collagenosis/collagen disease, HIV/AIDS, leukosis, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis

              Cautions

              Atopic conditions, concurrent CYP 3A4 substrates, pregnancy

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              Pregnancy & Lactation

              Pregnancy Category: N/A

              Lactation: N/A

              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.

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              Pharmacology

              Mechanism of Action

              Echinacosides: stimulate T-lymphocyte and interferon production; inhibit hyaluronidase

              Polysaccharides: Cytotoxic against tumor cells

              Glycosides: Mild antibacterial

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              Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.