Chinese Silkvine Root-Bark — Safety & Interactions
Xiang Jia Pi · Cortex Periplocae
Use with caution. Practitioner review recommended before use.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Known heart disease or unexplained palpitations
- Yin deficiency or heat signs without cold-damp obstruction
- Unverified source material
Cautions
- Xiang Jia Pi contains potent cardiac glycosides and is substantially more toxic than the safer Acanthopanax form of Wu Jia Pi, so substitute confusion is a major safety risk
- Overdose or cumulative exposure can produce nausea, vomiting, dizziness, arrhythmia, and other digitalis-like toxicity
- Because of transporter-mediated pharmacokinetic effects and cardiotonic constituents, concurrent use with narrow-therapeutic-index cardiovascular drugs deserves particular caution
- MSK page not found - drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database
Drug Interactions
| Drug Class / Substrate | Mechanism | Severity | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digoxin and other cardiac glycosides | Additive cardiotonic and arrhythmogenic effects are plausible because Xiang Jia Pi itself contains active cardenolides | Major | Periplocae Cortex pharmacology and toxicity literature |
| P-glycoprotein and OATP substrate drugs | Periplocin and related constituents interact with intestinal and hepatic transporters and may alter drug exposure | Moderate | PMID 24872678 |
Pregnancy
Not recommended during pregnancy. Consult a qualified practitioner before any use.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal medicines, especially if you take prescription medications.