Herbal Supplement Interactions with Medications

Herbal Supplement Interactions with Medications

• Ginkgo Biloba:
  • Flavones can be dangerous for anticoagulant users.
  • Potency can be similar to prescription/OTC medications.
  • Allergic reactions are possible, though not necessarily rare.
  • Safety and cost aren't guaranteed to be advantages over prescriptions.
  • May reduce the need for some prescribed medications.
  • Natural does not always mean safer.
• Ginseng:
  • Potential to decrease blood sugar, stress, blood pressure, and sexual function.
  • Potential to increase energy levels.
  • Interaction with insulin and oral hypoglycemics, increasing risk with CNS depressants and anticoagulants while reducing risk with morphine.
  • May be less safe than conventional treatments.
• Ginkgo Biloba (Cont.):
  • Antioxidant properties.
  • Potential to increase blood flow and memory.
  • Potential to decrease blood pressure.
  • Interactions with tricyclic antidepressants (risk of serotonin syndrome), anticoagulants, and diabetics' insulin levels.
  • Can increase blood thinning effects, especially with simultaneous anticoagulant use.
• Black Licorice:
  • Influences hormone regulation, decreasing stress and potentially fat.
  • Large amounts (over 4 weeks) can cause headaches, elevated blood pressure, and low potassium (dangerous).
  • Interactions with digoxin, aspirin (GI irritation), steroids, and potassium loss with laxatives.
• Ginger:
  • Potential to decrease nausea, IBS, stomach issues, and inflammation.
  • Potential to increase anticoagulant effects.
• Feverfew:
  • Potential to decrease fever, inflammation, migraines/dizziness, nausea/vomiting, tinnitus, and blood pressure.
  • Potential to increase anticoagulant and NSAID effects.
• Garlic:
  • Thins blood and increases immunity and anticoagulants.
  • Decreases cholesterol.
• Valerian:
  • Influences sleep disorders.
  • Decreases anxiety and blood pressure.
  • Increases central nervous system depressant effects (benzodiazepines, barbiturates, anticonvulsants, sedatives).
• Kava Kava:
  • Related to sleeping problems.
  • Decreases stress/anxiety, convulsions, and relaxes muscles.
  • Increases risks with CNS depressants, Adderall, and 5-HTPs.
• St. John's Wort:
  • Decreases depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
  • Increases appetite and CNS depressant effects.
• Melatonin:
  • Decreases insomnia and antidepressant effects (desipramine, fluoxetine).
  • Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) may decrease melatonin.
• Saw Palmetto:
  • Decreases benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), urinary retention, nocturia, and initiates urination.
  • Decreases iron absorption and oral contraceptive effectiveness.
  • Potential for hormone-like effects. Avoid in pregnancy, lactation, and hormone-sensitive cancers.
  • Avoid with finasteride (Proscar) due to similar effects.
• Turmeric:
  • Decreases inflammation, tumors, infections, and stomach problems.
  • Enhances anticoagulants.
  • Decreases proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 blockers, increasing stomach acid.

This quiz explores the interactions of various herbal supplements, such as Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng, with prescribed medications. Understand the potential risks and benefits associated with these supplements, including their effects on blood pressure, blood sugar, and memory. Test your knowledge on how these interactions can impact health and medication efficacy.