Berberine and Tarceva

Anonymous
Posts:

Wondering if anyone has info on compatibility of berberine with Tarceva. I called Genentech but they didn’t know. I am taking it because it has similar properties to metformin but less side effects as it lowers blood glucose levels and other benefits.

onthemark
Posts: 258

These sources indicate an interaction.

“Berberine is known to inhibit CYP2D6, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4, which can lead to a host of drug interactions, some of which can be serious…”

https://examine.com/supplements/berberine/

“Analyses in vitro using human liver microsomes and recombinant enzymes showed that erlotinib was metabolized primarily by CYP3A4, with a secondary contribution from CYP1A2.”

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bert_Lum/publication/5845664_The_e…

Have you discussed this with your oncologist?