PC-SPES

PC-SPES?/Drug Interactions:

  • AntiandrogensAntiandrogens: Based on human study, PC-SPES? may have antiandrogenic effects (7; 8; 5; 6).
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Based on reported cases of bleeding (10; 3) and hemorrhage (8), and the detection of undeclared amounts of the prescription blood thinner warfarin in some samples (1), PC-SPES? may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. In contrast, PC-SPES? has also been associated with an increased risk of blood clots, which may be due to estrogen-like effects (3).
  • Anti-inflammatory agentsAnti-inflammatory agents: Based on laboratory study, PC-SPES? may decrease the production of proinflammatory cytokines (12).
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: PC-SPES? has shown antineoplastic effects in animal and in vitro studies (13; 14; 15; 15; 1).
  • Cytochrome P450-metabolized agentsCytochrome P450-metabolized agents: Based on in vivo evidence, PC-SPES? may reduce CYP3A activity, thereby affecting the way some drugs are metabolized (16).
  • EstrogensEstrogens: Based on laboratory study, PC-SPES? may exhibit estrogen-like effects (2). The presence of undeclared amounts of prescription estrogen drugs has also been detected in some samples of PC-SPES? (1).
  • Hepatotoxic agentsHepatotoxic agents: Based on human study, PC-SPES? may have hepatotoxic effects (8; 5).
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: Based on laboratory study, PC-SPES? may inhibit the LPS-induced NF-kappaB reporter activity in RAW264.7 macrophages and the binding of NF-kappaB to specific DNA sequences (12). PC-SPES? may also decrease the production of proinflammatory cytokines and inducible enzymes, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and cyclooxygenase-2, as well as inducible nitric-oxide synthase in RAW264.7 macrophages and peritoneal macrophages from C57BL/6 mice.

    • PC-SPES?/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AntiandrogensAntiandrogens: Based on human study, PC-SPES? may have antiandrogenic effects (7; 8; 5; 6).
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Based on reported cases of bleeding (10; 3) and hemorrhage (8), and the detection of undeclared amounts of the prescription blood thinner warfarin in some samples (1), PC-SPES? may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. In contrast, PC-SPES? has also been associated with an increased risk of blood clots, which may be due to estrogen-like effects (3).
  • Anti-inflammatory herbsAnti-inflammatory herbs: Based on laboratory study, PC-SPES? may decrease the production of proinflammatory cytokines (12).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: PC-SPES? has shown antineoplastic effects in animal and in vitro studies (13; 14; 15; 15; 1).
  • Cytochrome P450-metabolized herbs and supplementsCytochrome P450-metabolized herbs and supplements: Based on in vivo evidence, PC-SPES? may reduce CYP3A activity, thereby affecting the way some drugs are metabolized (16).
  • Hepatotoxic herbs.Hepatotoxic herbs: Based on human study, PC-SPES? may have hepatotoxic effects (8; 5).
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: Based on laboratory study, PC-SPES? may inhibit the LPS-induced NF-kappaB reporter activity in RAW264.7 macrophages and the binding of NF-kappaB to specific DNA sequences (12). PC-SPES? may also decrease the production of proinflammatory cytokines and inducible enzymes, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and cyclooxygenase-2, as well as inducible nitric-oxide synthase in RAW264.7 macrophages and peritoneal macrophages from C57BL/6 mice.
  • PhytoestrogensPhytoestrogens: Based on laboratory study, PC-SPES? may exhibit estrogen-like effects (2). The presence of undeclared amounts of prescription estrogen drugs has also been detected in some samples of PC-SPES? (1).

    • PC-SPES?/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • PC-SPES?/Lab Interactions:

  • Coagulation panelCoagulation panel: Based on reported cases of bleeding (10; 3) and hemorrhage (8), and the detection of undeclared amounts of the prescription blood thinner warfarin in some samples (1), PC-SPES? may affect coagulation time.
  • Estrogen levelsEstrogen levels: Based on estrogenic activity reported in clinical trials, PC-SPES? may affect estrogen levels (2; 7; 8; 5). The presence of undeclared amounts of prescription estrogen drugs has also been detected in some samples of PC-SPES? (1).
  • Hormone panelHormone panel: Based on human study, PC-SPES? may have hormonal effects (2; 7; 8; 5).
  • Liver function testsLiver function tests: Based on clinical trials, PC-SPES? may elevate liver transaminases (5) and induce grade 1 and 2 liver abnormalities (AST, ALT) (8).
  • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)Prostate-specific antigen (PSA): PC-SPES? extract may decrease levels of prostate-specific antigens (PSA) (17; 18). Discontinuing PC-SPES? therapy may also cause PSA levels to rebound beyond their pretreatment values (11).