Is Centella asiatica (gotu kola) Safe with venlafaxine?
Free · No account · based on published sources including NIH ODS, FDA drug labels, and peer-reviewed literature
Avoid taking Centella asiatica supplements while on venlafaxine. If currently using both, consult your prescriber promptly. Report any new symptoms of shortness of breath, dry cough, or heart palpitations immediately.
Why this interaction occurs
Centella asiatica has known potential to inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes, including CYP2D6, which is responsible for venlafaxine metabolism. Combined with a slow metabolizer phenotype, this can lead to toxic accumulation of venlafaxine, contributing to serious cardiopulmonary toxicity including pneumonitis and cardiomyopathy.
Evidence
Evidence level: limited.
Data source
PubMed - PMID 25029655
Reported safety data
The FDA’s adverse event reporting system (FAERS) has received 92,249 reports mentioning venlafaxine. This reflects reported cases involving the medication in general — not confirmed causation, and not specific to the venlafaxine + supplement combination on this page.
FAERS reports are voluntary and cannot prove that a drug caused an event. Do not use report counts to assess the safety of this specific drug-supplement pair.
Frequently asked questions
Related interactions
All Centella asiatica (gotu kola) interactions → · All venlafaxine interactions →
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Educational only — not medical advice.
Always confirm with your doctor or pharmacist.