Andrographis
Andrographis/Drug Interactions:
Allergy medicationsAllergy medications: Andrographolide may cause mast-cell stabilizing activity in rats and may interact or add to the effects of other medications.AnalgesicsAnalgesics: According to in vivo research in mice, andrographis showed analgesic activity and therefore may have additive effects with other analgesics (42).Anticoagulants and anti-platelets Anticoagulants and anti-platelets : In animal and in vitro research, andrographis inhibited platelet aggregation (1; 38). In human research, epistaxis (nosebleed) was reported (35). Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: According to animal research, there are possible hypoglycemic effects of andrographis (8; 38), which may add to the effects of blood sugar-lowering agents, including insulin. AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: According to animal research, andrographis may lower blood pressure and may therefore add to the effects of antihypertensive medications (33). Anti-inflammatory agentsAnti-inflammatory agents: According to its mechanism of action, andrographis and its constituents may have anti-inflammatory effects and thus may interact with other anti-inflammatory agents, including COX-2 inhibitors (43; 44; 22; 45; 3; 46; 19; 47; 48). Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: According to several in vitro studies, andrographolide may have anticancer effects (49; 50; 51; 43; 52). AntipyreticsAntipyretics: According to in vivo research, andrographis showed antipyretic activity in Brewer's YeastTM-induced pyrexia in rats; therefore, additive effects may be seen with other antipyretics (42).Antiulcer and gastric acid-reducing agentsAntiulcer and gastric acid-reducing agents: In vivo research in mice showed significant anti-ulcerogenic activity (p<0.05) in aspirin-induced ulcerations (42).Antiviral agentsAntiviral agents: There are historical data to suggest that andrographis has been effective in the past as part of a regimen to treat influenza in Asian medical systems. One randomized clinical trial using Kan Jang? reports a significant reduction in duration and severity of symptoms (53). Theoretically, interactions with other antivirals may occur. ContraceptivesContraceptives: Animal studies suggest that andrographis may have antifertility or contraceptive effects at high doses (18). Dermatologic agentsDermatologic agents: In human research, rash, itching associated with a rash, and urticaria were reported (34; 35; 36; 39; 37; 40; 41). Fertility agentsFertility agents: According to animal research, at high doses, andrographis may have potential to decrease fertility (38). Gastrointestinal agentsGastrointestinal agents: In human research, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort were reported (38; 24; 41; 35). ImmunomodulatorsImmunomodulators: Several systematic reviews and randomized, controlled trials indicate that andrographis may effectively treat upper respiratory infections (URIs) (39; 38; 29; 54; 41; 27; 28; 26; 32; 24; 55). Many of these studies use andrographis in combination formulas containing other herbals (i.e. Kan Jang?), and thus it is difficult to define the role of andrographis alone; theoretically, interactions with other agents for URIs may occur. Neurologic agentsNeurologic agents: In human research, dizziness, fatigue, lethargy, malaise, headache, and drowsiness were reported (38; 24; 41; 35; 39; 26; 27). Andrographis/Supplement Interactions:
AnalgesicsAnalgesics: According to in vivo research in mice, andrographis showed analgesic activity and therefore may have additive effects with other analgesics (42).Anticoagulants and anti-plateletsAnticoagulants and anti-platelets: In animal and in vitro research, andrographis inhibited platelet aggregation (1; 38). In human research, epistaxis (nosebleed) was reported (35). Multiple cases of bleeding have been reported with the use of Ginkgo biloba, and fewer cases with garlic and saw palmetto. Numerous other agents may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding, although this has not been proven in most cases. Anti-histaminesAnti-histamines: Andrographolide may cause mast-cell stabilizing activity in rats and may interact or add to the effects of other medications.Anti-inflammatory herbsAnti-inflammatory herbs: According to its mechanism of action, andrographis and its constituents may have anti-inflammatory effects and thus may interact with other anti-inflammatory agents, including COX-2 inhibitors (43; 44; 22; 45; 3; 46; 19; 47; 48). AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: According to several in vitro studies, andrographolide may have anticancer effects (49; 50; 51; 43; 52). AntipyreticsAntipyretics: According to in vivo research, andrographis showed antipyretic activity in Brewer's YeastTM-induced pyrexia in rats; therefore, additive effects may be seen with other antipyretics (42).Antiulcer and gastric acid-reducing agentsAntiulcer and gastric acid-reducing agents: In vivo research in mice showed significant anti-ulcerogenic activity (p<0.05) in aspirin-induced ulcerations (42).AntiviralsAntivirals: There are historical data to suggest that andrographis has been effective in the past as part of a regimen to treat influenza in Asian medical systems. One randomized clinical trial using Kan Jang? reports a significant reduction in duration and severity of symptoms (53). Theoretically, interactions with other antivirals may occur. ContraceptivesContraceptives: Animal studies suggest that andrographis may have antifertility or contraceptive effects at high doses (18). Fertility agentsFertility agents: According to animal research, at high doses, andrographis may have potential to decrease fertility (38). Gastrointestinal agentsGastrointestinal agents: In human research, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort were reported (38; 24; 41; 35). Hypoglycemics Hypoglycemics : According to animal research, there are possible hypoglycemic effects of andrographis (8; 38), which may add to the effects of blood sugar-lowering agents, including insulin. HypotensivesHypotensives: According to animal research, andrographis may lower blood pressure and may therefore add to the effects of antihypertensive medications (33). Examples of agents with potential hypotensive properties include aconite/monkshood, arnica, baneberry, betel nut, bilberry, black cohosh, bryony, calendula, California poppy, coleus, curcumin, danshen, eucalyptol, eucalyptus oil, flaxseed/flaxseed oil, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, goldenseal, green hellebore, hawthorn, Indian tobacco, jaborandi, melatonin, mistletoe, night blooming cereus, oleander, pasque flower, periwinkle, pleurisy root, Polypodium vulgare, shepherd's purse, Texas milkweed, turmeric, and wild cherry. ImmunomodulatorsImmunomodulators: Several systematic reviews and randomized, controlled trials indicate that andrographis may be effective in treating upper respiratory infections (URIs) (39; 38; 29; 54; 41; 27; 28; 26; 32; 24; 55). Many of these studies use andrographis in combination formulas containing other herbals (i.e. Kan Jang?), and thus it is difficult to define the role of andrographis alone; theoretically, interactions with other agents for URIs may occur. Neurologic agentsNeurologic agents: In human research, dizziness, fatigue, lethargy, malaise, headache, and drowsiness were reported (38; 24; 41; 35; 39; 26; 27). Andrographis/Food Interactions:
Insufficient available evidence.Andrographis/Lab Interactions:
Blood pressureBlood pressure: According to animal studies, andrographis may lower blood pressure (33). Coagulation panelCoagulation panel: According to available research, andrographis has been reported inhibit platelet aggregation (56; 1). Serum glucoseSerum glucose: According to animal research, there are possible hypoglycemic effects of andrographis (8).