Gossypol

Are there any interactions with medications?

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Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Talk with your health provider.

Large amounts of gossypol can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the side effects of digoxin (Lanoxin).

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NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Talk with your health provider.

NSAIDs are anti-inflammatory medications used for decreasing pain and swelling. NSAIDs can cause irritation to the stomach and intestines. Gossypol can also cause irritation to the stomach and intestines. Taking NSAIDs along with gossypol might increase the chances of adverse effects. Avoid taking NSAIDs and gossypol together.

Some NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), aspirin, and others.

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Stimulant laxatives
Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Talk with your health provider.

Stimulant laxatives speed up the bowels. Overuse of stimulant laxatives can cause low minerals in the body. Gossypol can also decrease minerals in the body. Do not take gossypol along with stimulant laxatives.

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Theophylline
Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Talk with your health provider.

Theophylline might decrease some of the effects of gossypol.

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Warfarin (Coumadin)
Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Talk with your health provider.

Gossypol can work as a laxative. In some people gossypol can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea can increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding. If you take warfarin do not to take excessive amounts of gossypol.

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Water pills (Diuretic drugs)
Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Talk with your health provider.

Large amounts of gossypol can decrease potassium levels in the body. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking gossypol along with "water pills" might decrease potassium in the body too much.

Some "water pills" that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.

Dosing considerations for Gossypol.

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

• For male birth control: 15-20 mg is used daily for 12-16 weeks, followed by a maintenance dose of 7.5-10 mg per day. Treatment should be carefully monitored by a healthcare professional, because the effects of gossypol are unpredictable and might lead to permanent loss of the ability to father a child.