Oncology
Hormonal Cancer Therapy
Checking whether you can take a supplement or medication with Hormonal Cancer Therapy? Use this reference to review relevant interaction information.
Interactions
Supplement interactions on fileNo supplement in this library is recorded as interacting with this medication. Coverage is partial — 171 of 216 medications have interaction data, drawn from the 107 supplements written up so far. Absence here is incomplete coverage, not a safety claim.
- Trade names
- Anastrozole (Arimidex), Exemestane (Aromasin), Enzalutamide, Abiraterone
Full write-up
What is it
Hormonal Cancer Therapy is an oncology treatment category used in cancer care. It includes medicines such as Anastrozole (Arimidex), Exemestane (Aromasin), Enzalutamide, and Abiraterone.
This page is an educational reference for reviewing whether supplements or medications may interact with these treatments. Interaction information can be relevant when considering products such as Milk Thistle (Silymarin), Saw Palmetto, or Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma). Consult a clinician regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.
What interacts with it
The most important concerns involve hormone activity that may work against or add to the effects of hormonal cancer therapy. Saw Palmetto may add to the anti-androgen effects of androgen deprivation therapy, including GnRH agonists and anti-androgens, which could increase treatment-related effects such as hot flashes, gynecomastia, and fatigue.
Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma) may raise testosterone. This could interfere with hormone-sensitive cancer treatment and may theoretically promote tumor growth in hormone-dependent cancers. Milk Thistle (Silymarin) has estrogenic activity that may interfere with treatments such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors; the possible reduction in treatment efficacy is theoretical.
These concerns are especially relevant when treatment is directed at a hormone-sensitive cancer. Anyone receiving Hormonal Cancer Therapy should discuss Saw Palmetto, Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma), or Milk Thistle (Silymarin) with their oncology prescriber or pharmacist, including products being considered for ongoing use.