Can you take Rauwolfia serpentina with Zyrphen?
1 drug interaction and 16 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- rauwolfia serpentina
- Zyrphen (guaifenesin/phenylephrine)
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
phenylephrine rauwolfia serpentina
Applies to: Zyrphen (guaifenesin / phenylephrine) and rauwolfia serpentina
Using rauwolfia serpentina together with phenylephrine may alter the effects of both medications. Specifically, phenylephrine can reduce the effects of rauwolfia serpentina in treating high blood pressure, while its own effects may be increased or decreased. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
rauwolfia serpentina Alcohol (Ethanol)
Applies to: rauwolfia serpentina
Ethanol and rauwolfia serpentina may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, or changes in pulse or heart rate, especially when treatment is started, the dose is changed, or treatment is restarted. Tell your doctor promptly if these symptoms occur and seek urgent medical help if you faint or have severe dizziness. Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Moderate:
phenylephrine Caffeine
Applies to: Zyrphen (guaifenesin / phenylephrine)
Both phenylephrine and caffeine can increase blood pressure and heart rate, and combining them may enhance these effects. Talk to your doctor before using these medications, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure or heart disease. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Disease interactions
14 potential interactions Applies to: 14 conditions, including Depression, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Hyperthyroidism, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Peptic Ulcer.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Moderate:
Zyrphen
The phenylephrine in Zyrphen has a moderate potential interaction with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause or worsen urinary difficulty in patients with prostate enlargement due to smooth muscle contraction in the bladder neck via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with hypertrophy or neoplasm of the prostate.
Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders
Major:
Zyrphen
The phenylephrine in Zyrphen has a major potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, particularly when used in high dosages and/or in susceptible patients. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta- 1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, coronary occlusion, cerebral vasculitis, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported. Some of these agents, particularly ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, ma huang, phenylpropanolamine), may also predispose patients to hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should generally be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. These agents should not be used in patients with severe coronary artery disease or severe/uncontrolled hypertension.
Cerebrovascular Insufficiency
Major:
Zyrphen
The phenylephrine in Zyrphen has a major potential interaction with Cerebrovascular Insufficiency.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, particularly when used in high dosages and/or in susceptible patients. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta- 1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, coronary occlusion, cerebral vasculitis, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported. Some of these agents, particularly ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, ma huang, phenylpropanolamine), may also predispose patients to hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should generally be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. These agents should not be used in patients with severe coronary artery disease or severe/uncontrolled hypertension.
Depression
Major:
rauwolfia serpentina
Rauwolfia serpentina has a major potential interaction with Depression.
The use of rauwolfia alkaloids is contraindicated in patients with a history of mental depression, especially suicidal tendencies. Rauwolfia alkaloids depletes catecholamine and serotonin stores.
Diabetes Mellitus
Moderate:
Zyrphen
The phenylephrine in Zyrphen has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause increases in blood glucose concentrations. These effects are usually transient and slight but may be significant with dosages higher than those normally recommended. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus. Closer monitoring of blood glucose concentrations may be appropriate.
Fluid Retention
Moderate:
rauwolfia serpentina
Rauwolfia serpentina has a moderate potential interaction with Fluid Retention.
Peripheral- acting antiadrenergic agents can cause peripheral edema. Therapy with peripheral- acting antiadrenergic agents should be administered cautiously in patients adversely affected by sodium and water retention.
Gallstones
Moderate:
rauwolfia serpentina
Rauwolfia serpentina has a moderate potential interaction with Gallstones.
Rauwolfia alkaloids increase gastrointestinal motility and secretion and can precipitate biliary colic in patients with gallstones. Therapy with rauwolfia alkaloids should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of gallstones.
Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension
Moderate:
Zyrphen
The phenylephrine in Zyrphen has a moderate potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.
Sympathomimetic agents can induce transient mydriasis via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. In patients with anatomically narrow angles or narrow-angle glaucoma, pupillary dilation can provoke an acute attack. In patients with other forms of glaucoma, mydriasis may occasionally increase intraocular pressure. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to glaucoma, particularly narrow-angle glaucoma.
Hyperthyroidism
Major:
Zyrphen
The phenylephrine in Zyrphen has a major potential interaction with Hyperthyroidism.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, particularly when used in high dosages and/or in susceptible patients. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta- 1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, coronary occlusion, cerebral vasculitis, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported. Some of these agents, particularly ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, ma huang, phenylpropanolamine), may also predispose patients to hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should generally be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. These agents should not be used in patients with severe coronary artery disease or severe/uncontrolled hypertension.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Major:
rauwolfia serpentina
Rauwolfia serpentina has a major potential interaction with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
The use of rauwolfia alkaloids is contraindicated in patients with active peptic ulcer or ulcerative colitis. Since rauwolfia alkaloids increase gastrointestinal motility and secretion, these conditions may be aggravated. Therapy with rauwolfia alkaloids should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of peptic ulcer or ulcerative colitis because of the risk of reactivation.
Peptic Ulcer
Major:
rauwolfia serpentina
Rauwolfia serpentina has a major potential interaction with Peptic Ulcer.
The use of rauwolfia alkaloids is contraindicated in patients with active peptic ulcer or ulcerative colitis. Since rauwolfia alkaloids increase gastrointestinal motility and secretion, these conditions may be aggravated. Therapy with rauwolfia alkaloids should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of peptic ulcer or ulcerative colitis because of the risk of reactivation.
Pheochromocytoma
Major:
Zyrphen
The phenylephrine in Zyrphen has a major potential interaction with Pheochromocytoma.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, particularly when used in high dosages and/or in susceptible patients. In cardiac tissues, these agents may produce positive chronotropic and inotropic effects via stimulation of beta- 1 adrenergic receptors. Cardiac output, oxygen consumption, and the work of the heart may be increased. In the peripheral vasculature, vasoconstriction may occur via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, reflex bradycardia, coronary occlusion, cerebral vasculitis, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and death have been reported. Some of these agents, particularly ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, ma huang, phenylpropanolamine), may also predispose patients to hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should generally be avoided or administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, or underlying cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. These agents should not be used in patients with severe coronary artery disease or severe/uncontrolled hypertension.
Prostate Tumor, Benign
Moderate:
Zyrphen
The phenylephrine in Zyrphen has a moderate potential interaction with Prostate Tumor, Benign.
Sympathomimetic agents may cause or worsen urinary difficulty in patients with prostate enlargement due to smooth muscle contraction in the bladder neck via stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. Therapy with sympathomimetic agents should be administered cautiously in patients with hypertrophy or neoplasm of the prostate.
Renal Dysfunction
Moderate:
rauwolfia serpentina
Rauwolfia serpentina has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
In general, lowering the blood pressure may cause some decrease in renal function. Therefore, rauwolfia alkaloids should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment, since these patients may adjust poorly to the hypotensive effects of these agents.
More resources
rauwolfia serpentina
A total of 294 drugs are known to interact with rauwolfia serpentina.
- Rauwolfia serpentina is in the drug class antiadrenergic agents, peripherally acting.
Zyrphen
A total of 228 drugs are known to interact with Zyrphen.
- Zyrphen is in the drug class upper respiratory combinations.
- Zyrphen is used to treat the following conditions:
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.