Scotch broom

Scotch broom/Drug Interactions:

  • Antiarrhythmic agentsAntiarrhythmic agents: Based on clinical study, the alkaloid sparteine, a constituent found in scotch broom, may have antiarrhythmic activity and alter cardiac conductivity (similar to the antiarrhythmic agent, quinidine) (1; 2; 3). Based on preliminary study, sparteine has been shown to have curare-like properties and extend heart rate without affecting the force of contraction.
  • Antidepressant agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)Antidepressant agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): According to secondary sources, scotch broom contains small amounts of tyramine, which may act as an indirect vasoconstrictor and hypertensive agent. Theoretically, concurrent use of scotch broom and MOA inhibitors may increase the risk of hypertensive crisis.
  • Antiepileptic agentsAntiepileptic agents: Human study suggests that there is a lack of an interaction between phenytoin and sparteine, a major constituent of scotch broom (10).
  • Antigout agentsAntigout agents: Based on secondary sources, scotch broom may interact with antigout agents.
  • AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: Scotch broom contains tyramine, which based on secondary sources, may potentially increases or decreases blood pressure.
  • Calcium channel blockersCalcium channel blockers: Human study suggests that there is a lack of an interaction between nifedipine and sparteine, a major constituent of scotch broom (10).
  • Cardiovascular agentsCardiovascular agents: Based on clinical study, the alkaloid sparteine, a constituent found in scotch broom, may have antiarrhythmic activity and alter cardiac conductivity (similar to the antiarrhythmic agent, quinidine) (1; 2; 3). Based on preliminary study, sparteine has been shown to have curare-like properties and extend heart rate without affecting the force of contraction. Based on secondary sources, blood pressure changes and circulatory collapse may occur with large doses of scotch broom taken in any form, including by mouth or smoked in cigarettes. Based on secondary sources, there is a possibility of tachycardia, heart attack, and worsening of heart failure.
  • DiureticsDiuretics: Based on secondary sources, scoparoside, a flavone glycoside of scotch broom, may have diuretic properties.
  • Cytochrome P450 2D6 inhibitorsCytochrome P450 2D6 inhibitors: Scotch broom contains the toxic alkaloid sparteine, which is metabolized by the liver's cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) isoenzyme system. Therefore, drugs that inhibit CYP2D6 may increase the potential toxicity of scotch broom, including a risk of life-threatening adverse events, such as cardiovascular collapse.
  • Cytochrome P450 2D6 inducersCytochrome P450 2D6 inducers: Scotch broom contains the toxic alkaloid sparteine, which is metabolized by the liver's cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) isoenzyme system. Therefore, drugs that induce CYP2D6 may decrease the effectiveness of scotch broom.
  • Haloperidol (Haldol?)Haloperidol (Haldol?): Based on secondary sources, haloperidol (Haldol?) inhibits the metabolism of sparteine, a constituent found in scotch broom herb, possibly increasing the risk of adverse effects, including circulatory crisis.
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In in vitro study, l-fucosyl-specific lectins from the seeds of scotch broom attached to the plasma membranes of human B-lymphocytes (11).
  • NicotineNicotine: Sparteine, a major constituent of scotch broom, has been identified in preliminary study as a noncompetitive antagonist of nicotinic receptors (12).
  • OxytocicsOxytocics: Scotch broom contains the alkaloid sparteine, which in clinical study has been shown to cause uterine contractions, and may increase the risk of inducing abortion (4; 5; 6).
  • Quinidine (Quinidex?)Quinidine (Quinidex?): Based on secondary sources, quinidine (Quinidex?) inhibits the metabolism of sparteine, a constituent found in scotch broom herb, possibly increasing the risk of adverse effects, including circulatory crisis.
  • VasodilatorsVasodilators: According to secondary sources, sparteine may act as a vasodilator, and may theoretically have additive effects when used with other vasodilators.

    • Scotch broom /Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AntiarrhythmicsAntiarrhythmics: Based on clinical study, the alkaloid sparteine, a constituent found in scotch broom, may have antiarrhythmic activity and alter cardiac conductivity (similar to the antiarrhythmic agent, quinidine) (1; 2; 3). Based on preliminary study, sparteine has been shown to have curare-like properties and extend heart rate without affecting the force of contraction.
  • Antidepressant agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)Antidepressant agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): According to secondary sources, scotch broom contains small amounts of tyramine, which may act as an indirect vasoconstrictor and hypertensive agent. Theoretically, concurrent use of scotch broom and MOA inhibitors may increase the risk of hypertensive crisis.
  • Antigout herbs and supplementsAntigout herbs and supplements: Based on secondary sources, scotch broom may interact with antigout agents.
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: Based on animal evidence, Cytisus scoparius may increase endogenous antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and non-enzymic-ascorbic acid (13), and may reduce carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress (14). In vitro studies have shown that the extract of the aerial part of Cytisus scoparius exhibits radical scavenging activity (15).
  • Cardiovascular herbs and supplementsCardiovascular herbs and supplements: Based on clinical study, the alkaloid sparteine, a constituent found in scotch broom, may have antiarrhythmic activity and alter cardiac conductivity (similar to the antiarrhythmic agent, quinidine) (1; 2; 3). Based on preliminary study, sparteine has been shown to have curare-like properties and extend heart rate without affecting the force of contraction. Based on secondary sources, blood pressure changes and circulatory collapse may occur with large doses of scotch broom taken in any form, including by mouth or smoked in cigarettes. Based on secondary sources, there is a possibility of tachycardia, heart attack, and worsening of heart failure.
  • Cytochrome P450 2D6 inhibitors Cytochrome P450 2D6 inhibitors : Scotch broom contains the toxic alkaloid sparteine, which is metabolized by the liver's cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) isoenzyme system. Therefore, drugs that inhibit CYP2D6 may increase the potential toxicity of scotch broom, including a risk of life-threatening adverse events such as cardiovascular collapse.
  • Cytochrome P450 2D6 inducersCytochrome P450 2D6 inducers: Scotch broom contains the toxic alkaloid sparteine, which is metabolized by the liver's cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) isoenzyme system. Therefore, drugs that induce CYP2D6 may decrease the effectiveness of scotch broom.
  • DiureticsDiuretics: Based on secondary sources, scoparoside, a flavone glycoside of scotch broom, may have diuretic properties.
  • HypertensivesHypertensives: Scotch broom contains tyramine, which based on secondary sources, may potentially increases or decreases blood pressure.
  • HypotensivesHypotensives: Based on secondary sources, tyramine, a constituent found in scotch broom, may potentially increase or decrease blood pressure.
  • ImmunosuppressantsImmunosuppressants: In in vitro study, l-fucosyl-specific lectins from the seeds of scotch broom attached to the plasma membranes of human B-lymphocytes (11).
  • OxytocicsOxytocics: Scotch broom contains the alkaloid sparteine, which in clinical study has been shown to cause uterine contractions, and may increase the risk of inducing abortion (4; 5; 6).
  • Vasodilator herbs and supplementsVasodilator herbs and supplements: According to secondary sources, sparteine may act as a vasodilator, and may theoretically have additive effects when used with other vasodilators.

    • Scotch broom/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Scotch broom/Lab Interactions:

  • Blood pressureBlood pressure: Based on secondary sources, tyramine, a constituent found in scotch broom, may potentially increase or decrease blood pressure.
  • EKGEKG: Based on clinical study, the alkaloid sparteine, a constituent found in scotch broom, has antiarrhythmic properties and may alter cardiac conductivity (1; 2).
  • Sparteine metabolic ratioSparteine metabolic ratio: Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) contains sparteine. In determination of genetic polymorphisms, sparteine is used as a model drug to examine the enzymatic activity of cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) (16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38; 39; 40; 41), an important enzyme in the biotransformation of various drugs in the liver, including xenobiotics (42; 43; 44) and antiarrhythmics (45; 46; 47; 48).
  • Thyroid functionThyroid function: Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) contains sparteine, which has been evaluated as a diagnostic agent for hyperthyreosis (49).