Herbal remedies are completely safe when used as directed. It is the patient’s responsibility to inform their healthcare professional about what drugs and supplements they take, particularly a few weeks prior to surgery. Often the interactions are not listed on drug or supplement labels. BECOME INFORMED! And when in doubt, please ask!

COMMON HERBS AND THEIR KNOWN DRUG INTERACTIONS

HERB	EFFECT AND DRUG NAMES/TYPES
ECHINACEA	May alter the effects of: Immunosuppressors, Corticosteroids, Anabolic steroids, Amiodarone (Cordarone), Methotrexate (Rheumatrex), Ketoconazole (Nizoral), Cyclosporine (Sandimmune)
EPHEDRA	May cause sedation, heart attack, seizure or death when used with: Decongestants (like Actifed, Dristan, Sinutab, Sudafed, etc.) and stimulants (such as caffeine). ONLY USE ON ADVICE OF A HEALTHCARE CONSULTANT.
DONG QUAI FEVERFEW GARLIC GINGER	All may cause excessive thinning of the blood when used with Warfarin (Coumadin)
GINKGO BILOBA	May cause spontaneous or excessive bleeding when combined with the following drugs: Aspirin, Clopidogrel (Plavix), Dipyridamole (Persantine), Ticlopodine (Ticlid), Warfarin (Coumadin)
GINSENG	May cause excessive bleeding when combined with Warfarin (Coumadin). May cause headache, trembling & odd behavior when combined with Phenelzine (Nardil). May interfere with efficacy of Digoxin (Lanoxin)
KAVA KAVA	Can produce deep sedation and possible liver damage when combined with: Sedatives, Sleeping Pills, Antipsychotics, Antidepressives, Alcohol, Parkinson’s Disease drugs, Anesthetics used during general anesthesia
ST. JOHN’S WORT	May increase sensitivity to the sun when taking Photosensitizers (like Tetracyclines). May cause confusion, fatigue and weakness when combined with: Serotonin inhibitors like Prozac, Serzone, Luvox, Paxil, Zoloft and other Antidepressants.
VALERIAN	May cause oversedation when taken with Sleep Aids and Alcohol

Source: Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Centers, www.mayoclinic.com

Treat herbal remedies seriously. “More” doesn’t always mean “better”.
Do not exceed recommended dosages.
Consult a healthcare professional when using herbal remedies in conjunction with pharmaceuticals.
If side effects develop, stop taking herbal remedies and consult a healthcare professional.
Purchase herbal remedies from reputable sources.
Do not use herbal remedies during pregnancy and/or lactation unless under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Only give herbal remedies to infants or young children under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

BACK