Indian Snakeroot

Are there any interactions with medications?

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Alcohol
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Alcohol can cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Indian snakeroot might also cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Taking large amounts of Indian snakeroot along with alcohol might cause too much sleepiness.

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Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Digoxin (Lanoxin) helps the heart beat more strongly. Indian snakeroot seems to slow the heartbeat. Taking Indian snakeroot along with digoxin might decrease the effectiveness of digoxin. Do not take Indian snakeroot if you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin).

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Levodopa
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Levodopa is used for Parkinson's disease. Taking Indian snakeroot along with levodopa might decrease the effectiveness of levodopa. It is not clear why this interaction might occur. To be on the safe side, do not take Indian snakeroot if you are taking levodopa.

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Medications for depression (MAOIs)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Indian snakeroot contains a chemical that affects the body. This chemical might increase the side effects of some medications used for depression.

Some of these medications used for depression include phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and others.

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Medications for mental conditions (Antipsychotic drugs)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Indian snakeroot seems to have a calming effect. Medications for mental conditions also help calm you down. Taking Indian snakeroot along with some medications for mental conditions might increase the risk of side effects of medications for mental conditions.

Some of these medications include chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clozapine (Clozaril), fluphenazine (Prolixin), haloperidol (Haldol), olanzapine (Zyprexa), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone (Risperdal), thioridazine (Mellaril), thiothixene (Navane), and others.

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Propranolol (Inderal)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Propranolol (Inderal) is used to decrease blood pressure. Indian snakeroot also seems to reduce blood pressure. Taking Indian snakeroot along with propranolol (Inderal) might cause your blood pressure to go too low.

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Sedative medications (Barbiturates)
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Indian snakeroot might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking Indian snakeroot along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.

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Stimulant drugs
Interaction Rating: Major Do not take this combination.

Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can make you feel jittery and speed up your heartbeat. Indian snakeroot might also speed up the nervous system. Taking Indian snakeroot along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid taking stimulant drugs along with Indian snakeroot.

Some stimulant drugs include diethylpropion (Tenuate), epinephrine, phentermine (Ionamin), pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), and many others.

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Ephedrine
Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Talk with your health provider.

Ephedrine can speed up the nervous system and make you feel jittery. Indian snakeroot can calm you down and make you sleepy. Taking Indian snakeroot along with ephedrine can decrease the effects of ephedrine.

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Medications used for depression (Tricyclic antidepressants)
Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Talk with your health provider.

Taking some medications used for depression might decrease the effects of Indian snakeroot.

Some of these medicines used for depression include amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), and others.

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Water pills (Diuretic drugs)
Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Talk with your health provider.

Indian snakeroot might affect the heart. "Water pills" can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from Indian snakeroot.

Some "water pills" that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDuril, Microzide), and others.

Dosing considerations for Indian Snakeroot.

The appropriate dose of Indian snakeroot depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Indian snakeroot. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.