|
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 |
