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) |
Increases risk of bleeding |
Dong Quai |
Blood-thinners (Aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix, Ticlid) |
Increases risk of bleeding |
Echinacea |
Immunosuppressants (Cyclosporine) |
Decreases effectiveness leading to organ rejection |
Ephedra (MaHuang) |
Antihypertensives, Stimulants (Caffeine), Hypoglycemics, Lanoxin, MAOI’s |
Interferes with drug effect: raises blood pressure or heart rate, elevates blood sugar, cause seizures or strokes |
Garlic clove, tablets |
Blood-thinners (Aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix,Ticlid) |
Increases risk of bleeding |
Garlic clove, tablets |
Hypoglycemics |
Increases effect-may lead to severe low blood sugar |
| Garlic clove, tablets |
HIV medications, Cyclosporine |
Decreases effectiveness leading to drug resistance or organ rejection |
Garlic clove, tablets |
Oral Contraceptives |
Decreases effectiveness - can lead to pregnancy |
| Ginkgo leaf, Biloba |
Blood-thinners (as above), Thiazide diuretics |
Increases risk of bleeding, elevates blood pressure |
Ginkgo leaf, Biloba |
Seizure lowering drugs,Trazodone (Desyrel) |
Decreases effectiveness, possible seizures, coma |
Ginseng (American, Panax, Siberian) |
Blood-thinners (as above) |
Conflicting evidence - may increase risk of bleeding |
Ginseng (American, Panax, Siberian) |
Hypoglycemics |
Increases effect - may lead to extreme low blood sugar |
Ginseng (American, Panax, Siberian) |
Immuno suppressants (Cyclosporine) |
Decreases effectiveness, possible organ rejection |
Ginseng (American, Panax, Siberian) |
Diuretics (Lasix) |
Decreases effectiveness leading to elevated blood pressure |
Glucosamine |
Hypoglycemics |
Increases insulin resistance leading to altered blood sugar |
| Goldenseal |
Sedatives |
May see additive effects intensifying sedation |
Hawthorn |
Cardiovascular Drugs, Digoxin |
Conflicting evidence - 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 increasing risk of liver damage |
St. John’s Wort |
Crixivan (Indinavir), Cyclosporine, Coumadin, Digoxin, Tegretol, Theophylline |
Increases 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 |
Increases metabolism - can lead to pregnancy |
Valerian |
CNS Depressants (Alcohol, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines) |
Additive effects may intensify sedation |
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