Bugleweed, cautions

Contraindications:Pregnancy & lactation – potential antigonadotropic activity

Thyroid hypofunction, enlargement of thyroid without functional disorder

Cautions:Do not administer with thyroid hormone and may interfere with administration of thyroid diagnostic procedures that use radioactive isotopes Can cause enlargement of thyroid

Taper dose when ceasing treatment – sudden discontinuation can cause increased disease Sx

Interactions with Medications

(Return to Hormone Course)

Bugleweed can interact with thyroid hormone medications, potentially altering their effects, so it should be avoided with such pills. It may enhance the effects of antidiabetic drugs, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. Bugleweed is not recommended with hyperthyroidism medications like methimazole due to potential interference, though no direct interactions are confirmed in some sources.

It could also interact with drugs like glyburide by boosting their hypoglycemic effects.

Avoid concurrent use with other thyroid-modulating drugs to prevent reduced efficacy

Overdose

Enlargement of the thyroid gland is possible only through administration of the herb in very high dosage. Sudden discontinuation of Lycopus preparation can lead to a rebound phenomenon with increased TSH secretion and prolactin secretion, as well as an increase of the hyperthyroid symptom complex and mastodynia.