Dhuley, J. N. Therapeutic efficacy of Ashwagandha against experimental aspergillosis in mice. A recent study looked at the health claims and safety of ashwagandha and found that the herb has shown anticancer, anti-inflammatory, heart-protective, liver-protective, and immunomodulatory (able to change the immune system) actions. Devi, P. U., Sharada, A. C., Solomon, F. E., and Kamath, M. S. In vivo growth inhibitory effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on a transplantable mouse tumor, Sarcoma 180. Hello! This is called a medicine interaction. Another study (a systematic review and meta-analysis) found that ashwagandha may benefit athletes. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. Davis L, Kuttan G. Suppressive effect of cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity by Withania somnifera extract in mice. The herb has been proven to interact with many other drugs, the interaction with SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) or Benzodiazepines are not proven scientifically. View abstract. Tohda, C. [Overcoming several neurodegenerative diseases by traditional medicines: the development of therapeutic medicines and unraveling pathophysiological mechanisms]. Indian J Med Res 2015 Jan;141(1):100-6. Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal) on the process of ageing on human volunteers. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. Ahmad MK, Mahdi AA, Shukla KK, et al. Twelve studies were included in the final review, and researchers concluded that ashwagandha showed more improvements in physical performance than placebo pills. J Pharm Pharmacol 1998;50:1065-68. 2020;10(11):e01760. Studies are inconclusive, but ashwagandha may have immune-stimulating properties. Of note, the benefits were strongest in those who took at least 600 milligrams per day of ashwagandha for at least eight weeks. Ashwagandha may increase thyroid hormone levels. root extract in improving cardiorespiratory endurance and recovery in healthy athletic adults. Speak with a, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Mediterranean, Low-Fat Diets Are Best for Heart Problems, Least Amount of Exercise You Need to Stay Healthy, Nerve 'Pulse' Therapy May Help Ease Sciatica, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Antipsychotic-induced metabolic side effects, Think Your Child Has ADHD? Davis, L. and Kuttan, G. Effect of Withania somnifera on DMBA induced carcinogenesis. One systematic review found just five human trials that studied ashwagandha as an anxiety treatment. For insomnia, a dose of 600 milligrams per day has been found to be safe and effective. Ahumada F, Aspee F, Wikman G, Hancke J. Withania somnifera exract. 2021;270:113766. 2022;13(2):100510. doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2021.08.003, Gopukumar K, Thanawala S, Somepalli V, Rao TSS, Thamatam VB, Chauhan S. Efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha root extract on cognitive functions in healthy, stressed adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. View abstract. Hypothyroidism, After Thyroid Removal. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. PLoS.One. Hidese S, Ogawa S, Ota M, et al. The most common side effects include: Other less common side effects of ashwagandha include: If you experience side effects when taking ashwagandha, be sure to stop using it and seek advice from a healthcare provider. Archana R, Namasivayam A. Antistressor effect of Withania somnifera. View abstract. Copyright 2023 UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. Ashwagandha might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Ashwagandha may be toxic to the liver (hepatotoxic). Most ashwagandha supplements are naturally vegan and gluten-free. 2021;272:113929. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.113929, Bonilla DA, Moreno Y, Gho C, Petro JL, Odriozola-Martnez A, Kreider RB. Taking ashwagandha along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications. In general, Ashwagandha is thought to be safe when used in moderate amounts. Taking ashwagandha along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. It is commonly used for stress. Levothyroxine is used to treat the following conditions: Hashimoto's disease. Food Chem.Toxicol. This is according to a recent review of case studies of liver damage caused by ashwagandha. This can result in serotonin syndrome, which causes side effects like anxiety, sweating, confusion, tremors, lack of coordination and an accelerated heart rate. Now, most studies suggest that ashwagandha doesn't have significant blood pressure lowering effects, so the interaction here is thought to be relatively mild. Cancer Lett. Studies on immunomodulatory activity of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) extracts in experimental immune inflammation. Is Fish Oil Dangerous With Antidepressants? Ashwagandha interferes with immunoassay measurements of digoxin, a medication primarily used for treating congestive heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. Does Ashwagandha supplementation have a beneficial effect on the management of anxiety and stress? Effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on the development of chemotherapy-induced fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer patients. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before adding ashwagandha to a weight loss plan, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions or are taking any medications . Phytother Res 2022. Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Siddha 1980;1(2):247-258. A total of 203 drugs are known to interact with levothyroxine . If you're interested in taking a nutritional supplement to support your treatment for depression, talk to your doctor so you can find the one that works best for you and doesn't affect your antidepressants. It may cause you to become sleepy or drowsy. 1965;9(3):127-136. View abstract. View abstract. There is little evidence for its use as an "adaptogen." Ashwagandha contains chemicals that might help calm the brain, reduce swelling, lower blood pressure, and alter the immune system. Myxedema Coma. Certain antidepressants may not be compatible with herbs or other natural ingredients in these products. View abstract. Ashwagandha may interact with certain drugs by enhancing or negating their actions. Withania somnifera improves semen quality by regulating reproductive hormone levels and oxidative stress in seminal plasma of infertile males. Indian J Exp Biol. However, even if supplements are third-party tested, they are necessarily safe for all or effective in general. The study took place over 10 weeks, and participant results were assessed based on sleep onset latency, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and wake after sleep onset. PLoS One 2009;4:e6628. 2020;40(4):825-829. Cureus 2022;14(10):e30433. Upton R, ed. From the study results, researchers concluded that ashwagandha improved memory and focus. View abstract. hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, chlorthalidone). It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider's examination and assessment of a patients specific and unique circumstances. Talk with a healthcare provider about the right ashwagandha dosage for your needs. Ashwagandha-induced liver injury: A case series from Iceland and the US Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network. View abstract. Ashwagandha might lower blood sugar levels. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. View abstract. Its botanical name is Withania somnifera and it is also known as "Indian ginseng . doi:10.7759/cureus.5797, Cheah KL, Norhayati MN, Husniati Yaacob L, Abdul Rahman R. Effect of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis. It's best to talk to your doctor before you start taking antidepressants and vitamins, especially mixed supplements. Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have: Signs of a very bad reaction. Take extra care if you are taking iron supplements. Indian J Exp Biol. 2013;74(11):1076-83. Some barbiturates include phenobarbital, pentobarbital and secobarbital. Cureus. ashwaganda: Dosing, contraindications, side effects, and pill pictures - epocrates online Drug Lookup: Browse: Drugs Alt Meds Select a medication above to begin. Investigation of CYP2B6, 3A4 and -esterase interactions of Withania somnifera (L.) dunal in human liver microsomes and HepG2 cells. As this is a relatively new area of research, more vigorous studies are needed. The effect of standardized ashwagandha extract (35% withanolide glycosides) on fatigue, vitality and associated steroid hormonal systems in healthy aging, overweight men (40 to 70 years of age; BMI, 25 to 35) was investigated via a 16-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial (N=57). The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms. A recent study out of India compared varying doses of ashwagandha to a placebo for the treatment of stress. Some of the more compelling potential uses of ashwagandha are outlined below. J Ethnopharmacol 1999;67:27-35. View abstract. O'Connor J, Lindsay K, Baker C, Kirby J, Hutchins A, Harris M. The impact of ashwagandha on stress, sleep quality, and food cravings in college students: quantitative analysis of a double-blind randomized control trial. Sleep Sci. Some people may need to avoid taking Ashwagandha, however, including those who: Some vitamins and supplements can interfere with blood-thinning blood pressure drugs, Dr. Glatter says. Some herbal supplements with antidepressant properties are safe to consume alongside medications. Harvard Health Publishing states that other medications, supplements and your diet all have the potential to affect the way your body processes your antidepressants. Guerrero FA, Medina GM. View abstract. A total of 525 drugs are known to interact with Xanax. Staff. As with many other herbal supplements, little research is available on possible interactions. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Ashwaganda is used to treat Herbal Supplementation. As an adaptogen, helping the body resist physiological and psychological stress, Steroidal lactones (withanolides, withaferins), GLP-1 Agonists (e.g. The roots can be used topically as a poult. Brain Behav. Effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on physical performance: systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis. Available for Android and iOS devices. Last updated on Feb 3, 2023. Long-term safety studies on ashwagandha are lacking. Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of scientific evidence from experimental research to clinical application. This includes: As with many other herbs and supplements, ashwagandha has a risk of side effects. Its effects on arterial blood pressure in anaesthetized dogs. If you're taking antidepressants and vitamins at the same time, be aware of the ingredients in your vitamin supplements. Ashwagandha is thought to have a positive impact on chronic stress. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. Acta Pol.Pharm. Liver Int. A few commonly prescribed benzodiazepines are: Alprazolam (Xanax) Clonazepam (Klonopin) Diazepam (Valium) Lorazepam (Ativan) Mental health statistics show between 3 and 5 percent of adults live with a depressive disorder globally, according to a January 2014 study in Depression and Anxiety. Biogerontology. View abstract. However, SSRIs don't work for everyone, and other antidepressants work via different pathways in your body. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our. The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. One study, published in Phytotherapy Research, reported that ashwagandha supplementation reduced blood sugar and A1c levels, although this was a relatively small study. Melissa Nieves, LND, RD, is a registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist who works as a bilingual telehealth dietitian. Ashwagandha's leaves contain a compound that causes sleep induction and is used for treating insomnia. ", Mayo Clinic: "Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)", Cleveland Clinic: "Depression Medicines: Risks / Benefits", Shanghai Archives of Psychiatry: "Use of Antipsychotics in the Treatment of Depressive Disorders", Food and Drug Administration: "Vitamins and Minerals Chart", World Journal of Biological Chemistry: "Complexity of Vitamin E Metabolism", NCBI Bookshelf: "Depression in Adults With a Chronic Physical Health Problem: Treatment and Management", Journal of Medicine and Life: "Nutrition and Depression at the Forefront of Progress", Harvard Health Publishing: "Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Psychiatric Drugs", Complementary Therapies in Medicine Journal: "Evaluation of the Efficacy of Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Root Extract in Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial", Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs), Noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists. Learn about the uses and potential benefits of Ashwagandha including dosage guidelines, side effects, interactions and safety/efficacy ratings.