Supplement · Grade B/C

Eleuthero and medications.

Every documented pair, every citation. Below: 3 documented pairs grouped by mechanism.

Eleuthero is classified as a targeted supplement in the Distil database, evidence Grade B/C. The page below lists every medication we have explicitly assessed it against.

Eleuthero, sometimes called Siberian ginseng, is an adaptogen taken for fatigue, endurance, immune function and stress resilience. The evidence is Grade B to C and honestly mixed: the main chronic fatigue trial did not show overall benefit, though a moderate-fatigue subgroup may have improved at two months. Treat it as emerging rather than proven, with burnout and adrenal recovery as the most reasonable use and athletic endurance as a secondary one. The dose is 300 to 1,200mg a day of standardised extract, taken in the morning because it can disturb sleep later on. A few interactions deserve attention. There are case reports of eleuthero raising digoxin levels, so it should be flagged for anyone on that drug. It has mild reported platelet effects worth a GP note alongside anticoagulants, and it stacks additively with caffeine and other stimulants. It may modestly raise blood pressure, so flag it if hypertension is not controlled, and use caution with hormone-sensitive conditions given mild oestrogenic activity.

Below are the 3 documented pairs we have explicitly assessed for Eleuthero: 3 amber. The pairs cluster around 2 mechanisms: Digoxin assay interference and Immune-stimulant vs immunosuppressant (precautionary). Every call is cited to either a clinical reference (PMID) or the British National Formulary. Anything not listed here is either still to be assessed or beyond our database scope. The checker beneath surfaces assessments by medication, and the missing-item form at the bottom of the page routes any uncatalogued medication into our next curation pass.

Documented interactions

Digoxin assay interference

Amber Digoxin

Siberian ginseng can make a digoxin blood test read higher (or lower) than your true level, depending on which test the lab uses. There is one older case where digoxin readings rose while taking it and fell each time it was stopped. Because digoxin has a narrow safe range, tell your GP or cardiology team if you take Siberian ginseng, and mention it before any digoxin level is checked.

PMID 8705908 · PMID 12580002 · PMID 16040294 · PMID 18623124 · PMID 21860344 · BNF: Digoxin

Reviewer-flagged: awaiting clinical-reviewer sign-off.

Immune-stimulant vs immunosuppressant (precautionary)

Amber Ciclosporin

Eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) is taken to stimulate the immune system, which in theory works against a medicine like ciclosporin that is meant to calm it. This has not been tested in people taking immune-suppressing medicines, so it is a cautious flag rather than a strong warning. If you take ciclosporin after a transplant or for an autoimmune condition, check with your specialist before starting eleuthero.

PMID 2963645 · PMID 16011291 · PMID 12695337 · BNF: Ciclosporin

Reviewer-flagged: awaiting clinical-reviewer sign-off.

Amber Tacrolimus

Eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) is taken to stimulate the immune system, which in theory works against a medicine like tacrolimus that is meant to suppress it. This has not been tested in people taking immune-suppressing medicines, so it is a cautious flag rather than a strong warning. If you take tacrolimus after a transplant or for an autoimmune condition, check with your specialist before starting eleuthero.

PMID 2963645 · PMID 16011291 · PMID 12695337 · BNF: Tacrolimus

Reviewer-flagged: awaiting clinical-reviewer sign-off.

What this list does not say. Pairs not flagged here are not implicitly safe. They are either not yet in our database, or fall outside our inclusion scope. Use the checker below to surface any medication, and submit a missing item if you take something we have not catalogued.

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For adults over 18. This tool gives evidence-graded information, not medical advice. Always discuss changes with your GP, especially if you take any medication, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a serious health condition.

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