How to Prevent Herb and Medication Interactions
If you take prescription medications and herbal supplements, it's important to be aware of potential herb and medication interactions. Here's what you need to know.
1
When you visit your doctor, you may bring along a list of your prescription medications, but do you tell him about the supplements you're taking? Although one in five persons in the U.S. uses some type of herbal or vitamin supplement, many fail to report this to their doctor. This is an unwise practice since herb and medication interactions can have a variety of negative effects on your health.
2
Why do herb and medication interactions cause problems? Most prescription medications you take on a daily basis are processed and broken down by the liver via enzymes known as cytochrome P-450 enzymes. Many herbs when taken along with prescription medications can interact with these cytochrome enzymes resulting in the prescription medication not being properly metabolized. Likewise, prescription medications can alter the same enzymes so that a herbal supplement isn't broken down properly. The result can be potentially toxic levels of either prescription medication or herbal supplement.
3
Herb and medication interactions aren't often recognized by doctors since most people fail to mention they're using herbs or supplements. Some examples of herb and medication interactions that can be dangerous include the use of ginseng in diabetics taking diabetes medications or insulin. Ginseng can cause lowering of the blood sugar when used in combination with other diabetic agents or insulin. Even a supplement as seemingly harmless as garlic can be a problem in patients taking blood thinners. The result of using garlic supplements or even eating a diet high in garlic can be an increased risk of bleeding. For this reason, garlic should be avoided prior to surgery.
4
To avoid the danger of herb and medication interactions, what can you do? When you visit your doctor, always take a complete list of the herbs, vitamins, and supplements you're taking. Write down each supplement along with the dose. When your doctor asks about medications, give him this list to add to your chart. If you're taking medications or have a health condition, always talk to your doctor before starting an herb or vitamin supplement. Don't assume because it's natural that it's automatically safe.
5
f you see an alternative or herbal practitioner as well as a traditional medical doctor, make sure the two doctors communicate with each other about your history and treatment. This can be facilitated by giving each doctor the other doctor's name and number for your chart. Make an effort to stay well informed regarding herb and medication interactions for the supplements you're taking. One way to be aware of potential interactions is to get a copy of a PDR for herbal medicines. This is a professional reference book used by doctors that lists dosages, interactions, and side effects of herbals. This can be purchased through Amazon.com.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4581581_prevent-herb-medication-interactions.html
If you take prescription medications and herbal supplements, it's important to be aware of potential herb and medication interactions. Here's what you need to know.
1
When you visit your doctor, you may bring along a list of your prescription medications, but do you tell him about the supplements you're taking? Although one in five persons in the U.S. uses some type of herbal or vitamin supplement, many fail to report this to their doctor. This is an unwise practice since herb and medication interactions can have a variety of negative effects on your health.
2
Why do herb and medication interactions cause problems? Most prescription medications you take on a daily basis are processed and broken down by the liver via enzymes known as cytochrome P-450 enzymes. Many herbs when taken along with prescription medications can interact with these cytochrome enzymes resulting in the prescription medication not being properly metabolized. Likewise, prescription medications can alter the same enzymes so that a herbal supplement isn't broken down properly. The result can be potentially toxic levels of either prescription medication or herbal supplement.
3
Herb and medication interactions aren't often recognized by doctors since most people fail to mention they're using herbs or supplements. Some examples of herb and medication interactions that can be dangerous include the use of ginseng in diabetics taking diabetes medications or insulin. Ginseng can cause lowering of the blood sugar when used in combination with other diabetic agents or insulin. Even a supplement as seemingly harmless as garlic can be a problem in patients taking blood thinners. The result of using garlic supplements or even eating a diet high in garlic can be an increased risk of bleeding. For this reason, garlic should be avoided prior to surgery.
4
To avoid the danger of herb and medication interactions, what can you do? When you visit your doctor, always take a complete list of the herbs, vitamins, and supplements you're taking. Write down each supplement along with the dose. When your doctor asks about medications, give him this list to add to your chart. If you're taking medications or have a health condition, always talk to your doctor before starting an herb or vitamin supplement. Don't assume because it's natural that it's automatically safe.
5
f you see an alternative or herbal practitioner as well as a traditional medical doctor, make sure the two doctors communicate with each other about your history and treatment. This can be facilitated by giving each doctor the other doctor's name and number for your chart. Make an effort to stay well informed regarding herb and medication interactions for the supplements you're taking. One way to be aware of potential interactions is to get a copy of a PDR for herbal medicines. This is a professional reference book used by doctors that lists dosages, interactions, and side effects of herbals. This can be purchased through Amazon.com.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4581581_prevent-herb-medication-interactions.html
