Suggested Dosing
0.2-2 g/day whole herb PO
Commerically available preparation: 2 tablet (40 mg) PO qD
Suggested Uses
Hyperthyroidism, PMS, breast pain, nervousness, insomnia; and bleeding, especially nosebleeds and heavy bleeding during menses
Efficacy
There is insufficient reliable information available about the effectiveness
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Contraindicated (0)
Serious - Use Alternative (2)
- levothyroxine
lycopus decreases effects of levothyroxine by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Contraindicated. Lycopus blocks peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.
- thyroid desiccated
lycopus decreases effects of thyroid desiccated by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Contraindicated. Lycopus blocks peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.
Monitor Closely (3)
- iodine (radioactive)
lycopus increases effects of iodine (radioactive) by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Lycopus blocks peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.
- methimazole
lycopus increases effects of methimazole by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Lycopus blocks peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.
- propylthiouracil
lycopus increases effects of propylthiouracil by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Lycopus blocks peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.
Minor (23)
- acarbose
lycopus increases effects of acarbose by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- chlorpropamide
lycopus increases effects of chlorpropamide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- glimepiride
lycopus increases effects of glimepiride by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- glipizide
lycopus increases effects of glipizide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- glyburide
lycopus increases effects of glyburide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- insulin aspart
lycopus increases effects of insulin aspart by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- insulin detemir
lycopus increases effects of insulin detemir by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- insulin glargine
lycopus increases effects of insulin glargine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- insulin glulisine
lycopus increases effects of insulin glulisine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- insulin lispro
lycopus increases effects of insulin lispro by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- insulin NPH
lycopus increases effects of insulin NPH by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- insulin regular human
lycopus increases effects of insulin regular human by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- metformin
lycopus increases effects of metformin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- miglitol
lycopus increases effects of miglitol by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- nateglinide
lycopus increases effects of nateglinide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- pioglitazone
lycopus increases effects of pioglitazone by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- repaglinide
lycopus increases effects of repaglinide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- rosiglitazone
lycopus increases effects of rosiglitazone by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- saxagliptin
lycopus increases effects of saxagliptin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- sitagliptin
lycopus increases effects of sitagliptin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- tolazamide
lycopus increases effects of tolazamide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- tolbutamide
lycopus increases effects of tolbutamide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
- vildagliptin
lycopus increases effects of vildagliptin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased risk of hypoglycemia (theoretical interaction).
Adverse Effects
None in regular doses
Warnings
Contraindications
Pregnancy, lactation
Hypothyroidism
Cautions
May cause hypoglycemia
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: avoid
Lactation: avoid
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
Contains organic acids, eg, lithospermic acid that decrease levels of several hormones, particularly TSH & thyroxine (T4)
Also inhibits binding of antibodies to thyroid that cause Graves disease