Bugleweed

Bugleweed/Drug Interactions:

  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: Theoretically, concomitant use of bugleweed may increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
  • Hormonal agentsHormonal agents: Based on bugleweed's proposed hormone and antihormone-like actions (3; 4), concomitant use with hormonal agents is not recommended. Secondary sources and herbal tradition report bugleweed's anti-gonadotropic and anti-thyrotropic activity.
  • Hypertensive agentsHypertensive agents: Based on secondary sources, bugleweed may have vasoconstricting properties. Based on a study of thyroxine treated hyperthyroid rats, Lycopus europaeus L. extracts may lower heart rate and blood pressure, alleviate cardiac hypertrophy, and reduce heart tissue beta-adrenoceptor density (5).
  • Hypotensive agentsHypotensive agents: Based on secondary sources, bugleweed may have vasoconstricting properties. Based on a study of thyroxine treated hyperthyroid rats, Lycopus europaeus L. extracts may lower heart rate and blood pressure, alleviate cardiac hypertrophy, and reduce heart tissue beta-adrenoceptor density (5).
  • SedativesSedatives: Based on historical use and expert opinion, bugleweed may have mild sedative effects (10).
  • Thyroid hormonesThyroid hormones: In theory, concomitant use of bugleweed and thyroid hormones is contraindicated because bugleweed may reduce the effects of thyroid hormones (6; 9).

    • Bugleweed/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • Hormonal herbs and supplementsHormonal herbs and supplements: Based on bugleweed's proposed hormone and antihormone-like actions (3; 4), concomitant use with hormonal agents is not recommended. Secondary sources and herbal tradition report bugleweed's anti-gonadotropic and anti-thyrotropic activity.
  • Hypertensive agentsHypertensive agents: Based on secondary sources, bugleweed may have vasoconstricting properties. Based on a study of thyroxine treated hyperthyroid rats, Lycopus europaeus L. extracts may lower heart rate and blood pressure, alleviate cardiac hypertrophy, and reduce heart tissue beta-adrenoceptor density (5).
  • HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: Theoretically, concomitant use of bugleweed may increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
  • Hypotensive agentsHypotensive agents: Based on secondary sources, bugleweed may have vasoconstricting properties. Based on a study of thyroxine treated hyperthyroid rats, Lycopus europaeus L. extracts may lower heart rate and blood pressure, alleviate cardiac hypertrophy, and reduce heart tissue beta-adrenoceptor density (5).
  • SedativesSedatives: Based on historical use and expert opinion, bugleweed may have mild sedative effects (10).
  • Thyroid agentsThyroid agents: In theory, concomitant use of bugleweed and thyroid suppressing herbs may have additive therapeutic effects (balm leaf, wild thyme plant) (6; 9).

    • Bugleweed/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Bugleweed/Lab Interactions:

  • Blood pressureBlood pressure: Based on secondary sources, bugleweed may have vasoconstricting properties. Based on a study of thyroxine treated hyperthyroid rats, Lycopus europaeus L. extracts may lower heart rate and blood pressure, alleviate cardiac hypertrophy, and reduce heart tissue beta-adrenoceptor density (5).
  • Diagnostic proceduresDiagnostic procedures: Based on anecdote, bugleweed may interfere with diagnostic procedures using radioactive isotopes.
  • Hormone levelsHormone levels: Based on secondary sources, bugleweed may have hormone and antihormone-like actions (3; 4), such as anti-gonadotropic and anti-thyrotropic activity, and may lower serum prolactin levels and inhibit peripheral deiodination of the thyroid hormone, T4. It may also have hypoglycemic activity.
  • Serum glucoseSerum glucose: Theoretically, concomitant use of bugleweed may increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
  • Thyroid testsThyroid tests: Based on historical use, bugleweed may improve thyroid function and test results in mildly hyperthyroid patients (6; 9). Bugleweed may interfere with nuclear imaging studies of the thyroid gland (thyroid uptake scan).