Phytolacca

Pokeweed/Drug Interactions:

  • AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: According to secondary sources, pokeroot is thought to cause hypotension in vivo and may increase the action of antihypertensive medication when taken concomitantly.
  • AnticoagulantsAnticoagulants: In vitro and in vivo study suggests that phytolaccosides, saponins from Phytolacca americana, may increase the intestinal absorption of heparin across the intestinal epithelium (13).
  • Anti-inflammatoriesAnti-inflammatories: According to secondary sources, pokeweed root may have anti-inflammatory effects, and therefore may interact additively with anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Antiviral medicationsAntiviral medications: Pokeweed may have antiviral effects, and therefore may interact with antiviral medications (10; 11).
  • Cardiac glycosidesCardiac glycosides: In a case report pokeweed caused Mobitz type I heart block, and may therefore interact with cardiac glycosides (12).
  • DiureticsDiuretics: According to secondary sources, pokeweed may have diuretic activity, according to in vivo studies, and may interact additively with other diuretics.
  • HeparinHeparin: In vitro and in vivo study suggests that phytolaccosides, saponins from Phytolacca americana, may increase the intestinal absorption of heparin across the intestinal epithelium (13).
  • Hydrophilic drugsHydrophilic drugs: In vitro and in vivo study suggests that phytolaccosides from Phytolacca americana may increase the intestinal absorption of hydrophilic drugs having difficulty crossing the intestinal epithelium (13).

    • Pokeweed/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: According to secondary sources, pokeroot is thought to cause hypotension in vivo and may increase the action of antihypertensive herbs and supplements when taken concomitantly.
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: In vitro and in vivo study suggests that phytolaccosides, saponins from Phytolacca americana, may increase the intestinal absorption of heparin across the intestinal epithelium (13).
  • Anti-inflammatoriesAnti-inflammatories: According to secondary sources, pokeweed root may have anti-inflammatory effects, and therefore may interact additively with anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Antiviral herbsAntiviral herbs: Pokeweed may have antiviral effects, and therefore may interact with antiviral herbs (10; 11).
  • Cardiac glycoside herbsCardiac glycoside herbs: In a case report pokeweed caused Mobitz type I heart block, and may therefore interact with cardiac glycoside herbs (12).
  • DiureticsDiuretics: According to secondary sources, pokeweed may have diuretic activity, according to in vivo studies, and may interact additively with other diuretics.
  • Hydrophilic herbsHydrophilic herbs: In vitro and in vivo study suggests that phytolaccosides from Phytolacca americana may increase the intestinal absorption of hydrophilic herbs having difficulty crossing the intestinal epithelium (13).

    • Pokeweed/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Pokeweed/Lab Interactions:

  • Blood testsBlood tests: Plasmacytosis, mitotic changes in peripheral blood cells, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, abnormal platelet morphology, and other hematologic abnormalities may result from topical exposure (especially in individuals with cuts or abrasions on hands or other extremities) and ingestion of pokeweed plant, berries, or root (14; 20; 21).
  • Liver enzymesLiver enzymes: Based on animal study, TXU (anti-CD7)-pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP) may cause transient elevations of the liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase without a concomitant rise in total bilirubin levels and a decrease in the serum albumin levels between days (9).