Safety Profile
Overall safety rating: Generally Safe
Vitex (Chasteberry) Side Effects & Safety
Evidence:Strong
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Potential Side Effects
- Mild GI symptoms — nausea, stomach discomfort, or diarrhea (uncommon)
- Headache in the first few weeks of use (usually transient)
- Skin reactions — occasional rash or acne, particularly at higher doses
- May alter menstrual flow initially as cycle regulates
Drug & Supplement Interactions
- Hormonal contraceptives — may reduce effectiveness due to dopaminergic and progestogenic effects; avoid concurrent use
- Dopamine agonists (e.g., bromocriptine, cabergoline) — additive dopaminergic effects; do not combine without medical supervision
- Antipsychotics (dopamine antagonists) — may counteract vitex effects; avoid combining
- Hormone replacement therapy — potential interaction with estrogen/progesterone balance
Maximum Dose
Do not exceed: 40mg standardized extract daily; higher doses have not shown additional benefit and may cause side effects
References
- RCTSchellenberg R (2001). Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study. BMJ. DOI PubMed
- Meta-analysisVerkaik S, Moll AC, Steegers-Theunissen RP, et al. (2017). The treatment of premenstrual syndrome with preparations of Vitex agnus castus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. DOI PubMed
- RCTWuttke W, Jarry H, Christoffel V, Spengler B, Seidlová-Wuttke D (2003). Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) — pharmacology and clinical indications. Phytomedicine. DOI PubMed