Meta Information
ID:chamomile-extract
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-2.0
Interactions
Target id:
/class/anticoagulants-antiplatelets
Target name:
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Chamomile contains coumarin compounds that may have mild blood-thinning effects, potentially increasing the risk of bleeding when combined with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications like warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin.
Actionable advice:
Consult your doctor before use if taking any blood-thinning medication, including daily aspirin.
Target id:
/class/immunosuppressants
Target name:
Calcineurin Inhibitors
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Chamomile can inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme, which is crucial for metabolizing drugs like cyclosporine and tacrolimus, leading to dangerously elevated drug levels and increased risk of toxicity.
Actionable advice:
Do not take chamomile if you are on calcineurin inhibitors like cyclosporine or tacrolimus.
Target id:
/procedure/surgery
Target name:
Scheduled Surgery
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
336
Hours after target:
0
Description:
Due to its potential effects on blood clotting and its sedative properties, chamomile may increase bleeding risk and interfere with anesthesia during and after surgery.
Actionable advice:
Discontinue use at least 2 weeks prior to any scheduled surgery.
Target id:
/condition/asteraceae-allergy
Target name:
Allergy to Asteraceae/Compositae Plants
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Individuals with allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family, such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies, may experience a cross-reactive allergic reaction to chamomile.
Actionable advice:
Avoid chamomile completely if you are allergic to ragweed, marigolds, daisies, or related plants.
Target id:
/class/cns-depressants
Target name:
Central Nervous System Depressants
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Chamomile possesses mild sedative properties that can be additive with other central nervous system depressants like benzodiazepines, barbiturates, opioids, and sleep aids, leading to excessive drowsiness.
Actionable advice:
Avoid combining with sedating medications or sleep aids to prevent excessive drowsiness.
Target id:
/dietary/alcohol-acute
Target name:
Alcohol
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
Combining chamomile with alcohol can significantly increase drowsiness, dizziness, and impairment of motor skills due to additive CNS depressant effects.
Actionable advice:
Avoid drinking alcohol within a few hours of taking chamomile extract.
Target id:
/class/cyp3a4-substrates
Target name:
CYP3A4 Substrates
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Chamomile can inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme, slowing the breakdown of many common medications (e.g., some statins, calcium channel blockers) and potentially increasing their concentration and risk of side effects.
Actionable advice:
Consult your pharmacist or doctor to check for interactions if you take any prescription medications.
Target id:
/class/cyp2c9-substrates
Target name:
Drugs Metabolized by CYP2C9
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Chamomile may inhibit the CYP2C9 enzyme, which can increase blood levels of drugs like warfarin and some NSAIDs, elevating the risk of their associated side effects, such as bleeding.
Actionable advice:
Avoid use with drugs like warfarin, as it can dangerously increase their effects and bleeding risk.
Target id:
/class/antidiabetic-medications
Target name:
Diabetes Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Chamomile may have a mild glucose-lowering effect. When taken with antidiabetic drugs, this can lead to an additive effect and increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Actionable advice:
Monitor blood sugar levels closely if combining chamomile with diabetes medications.
Target id:
/condition/pregnancy
Target name:
Pregnancy
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Chamomile has been traditionally considered an emmenagogue and may have uterine-stimulating properties, posing a theoretical risk to pregnancy, especially in high doses.
Actionable advice:
Avoid use during pregnancy due to a theoretical risk of uterine stimulation.
Target id:
/class/herbal-anticoagulants
Target name:
Herbal Anticoagulants/Antiplatelets
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
The mild anticoagulant properties of chamomile can be additive with other herbs that thin the blood (e.g., ginkgo, garlic, ginger), increasing the overall risk of bleeding or bruising.
Actionable advice:
Do not combine with other blood-thinning supplements like ginkgo, garlic, or high-dose fish oil.
Target id:
/class/cns-depressants
Target name:
Other Sedating Herbs & Supplements
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Combining chamomile with other sedative herbs such as valerian root, kava, or passionflower can result in excessive drowsiness and central nervous system depression.
Actionable advice:
Avoid taking with other sleep-promoting herbs like valerian root or kava to prevent over-sedation.
Target id:
/circadian/sleep
Target name:
Going to Sleep
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
1
Hours after target:
0.5
Description:
Chamomile's primary active compound, apigenin, binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, which promotes relaxation and helps initiate sleep.
Actionable advice:
Take 30 to 60 minutes before your intended bedtime to promote relaxation and sleep.
Target id:
/class/cyp1a2-substrates
Target name:
CYP1A2 Substrates
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Chamomile may mildly inhibit the CYP1A2 enzyme, which could slow the metabolism of substrates like caffeine or theophylline, potentially increasing their effects or side effects.
Actionable advice:
Be aware that effects of substances like caffeine may be prolonged or intensified.
Target id:
/class/estrogens
Target name:
Estrogens and Progestins (Hormonal Therapy & Contraceptives)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Chamomile contains compounds like apigenin that may exert weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic effects, theoretically interfering with hormone therapies or hormone-sensitive conditions.
Actionable advice:
Use with caution if you are on estrogen therapy or have a history of hormone-sensitive conditions.
Target id:
/class/selective-estrogen-receptor-modulators
Target name:
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Due to its potential effects on estrogen receptors, chamomile could theoretically interfere with the action of SERMs like tamoxifen or raloxifene.
Actionable advice:
Use with caution if taking SERMs like tamoxifen, as chamomile may interfere with their action.
Target id:
/class/glucose-lowering-supplements
Target name:
Glucose-Lowering Supplements
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Chamomile's potential to lower blood sugar can be additive with other supplements that have similar effects, such as berberine or cinnamon, slightly increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.
Actionable advice:
Use with caution and monitor for signs of low blood sugar when taking with supplements like berberine.