Herbal Products
Herbal Products plus prescription medications equal potentially dangerous combinations.
Tips on medications and supplements to avoid taking together.
A “natural” product does not mean that it’s safe or effective! Herbal medications are not recommended for children, pregnant or nursing women, the immunosuppressed, or elders on prescription drugs.
| Diet / Herbal Supplement | Medication | Possible Interaction or Side Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Aloe | Antiarrhythmics, Corticosteroids, Diuretics, Lanoxin | May lower potassium leading to excess drug effect and toxicity |
| Cayenne (Capsicum) | Blood-thinners (Aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix, Ticlid) | Increased risk of bleeding |
| Dong Quai | Blood-thinners (Aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix, Ticlid) | Increased risk of bleeding |
| Echinacea | Immunosuppressants (Cyclosporine) | Decrease effectiveness leading to organ rejection |
| Ephedra (MaHuang) | Antihypertensives, Stimulants (Caffeine), Hypoglycemics, Lanoxin, MAOI’s | Interfere with drug effect: raising blood pressure or heart rate, elevate blood sugar, cause seizures or strokes |
| Garlic clove, tablets | Blood-thinners (Aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix,Ticlid) | Increased risk of bleeding |
| Garlic clove, tablets | Hypoglycemics | Increased effect-may lead to severe blood sugar lowering |
| Garlic clove, tablets | HIV medications, Cyclosporine | Decrease effectiveness leading to drug resistance or organ rejection |
| Garlic clove, tablets | Oral Contraceptives | Decrease effectiveness leading to pregnancy |
| Ginkgo leaf, Biloba | Blood-thinners (as above), Thiazide diuretics | Increased risk of bleeding, elevated blood pressure (BP) |
| Ginkgo leaf, Biloba | Seizure lowering drugs,Trazodone (Desyrel) | Decrease effectiveness, possible seizures, coma |
| Ginseng (American, Panax, Siberian) | Blood-thinners (as above) | Conflicting evidence but may increase risk of bleeding |
| Ginseng (American, Panax, Siberian) | Hypoglycemics | Increased effect may lead to extreme blood sugar lowering |
| Ginseng (American, Panax, Siberian) | Immuno suppressants (Cyclosporine) | Decrease effectiveness, possible organ rejection |
| Ginseng (American, Panax, Siberian) | Diuretics (Lasix) | Decreased effectiveness leading to elevated BP |
| Glucosamine | Hypoglycemics | Increased insulin resistance leading to altered blood sugar |
| Goldenseal | Sedatives | May see additive effects intensifying sedation |
| Hawthorn | Cardiovascular Drugs, Digoxin | Conflicting evidence but may interfere with effectiveness or increase digoxin effect |
| Kava-Kava | CNS Depressants (Alcohol, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines-Ativan, Valium, Xanax) | May see additive effects intensifying sedation and increased risk of liver damage |
| St. John’s Wort | Crixivan (Indinavir), Cyclosporine, Coumadin, Digoxin, Tegretol, Theophylline | Increase metabolism leading to reduced drug effectiveness & potential worsening of disease |
| St. John’s Wort | Antidepressants including: Celexa, Paxil, Prozac, MAOI’s | Additive serotonin elevation leading to fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental status |
| St. John’s Wort | Oral Contraceptives | Increased metabolism-leading to pregnancy |
| Valerian | CNS Depressants (Alcohol, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines) | Additive effects may intensify sedation |
