Herb and Prescription Medicines


 

Q: If I take diuretics like Thiazide, what herbs might react with my medication?
A: Use caution with mixing the following herbs with diuretics: aloe, cascara sagrada, licorice, senna and yarrow. Use caution mixing prescription drugs with aloe gel, flaxseed, marshmallow root, and slippery elm inner bark. hat herbs may interfere with medication absorption?

Q: If I am taking estrogen medications, what herbs should I avoid?
A: Avoid black cohosh.

Q: If taking heart medications, what herbs should I avoid?
A: Avoid blue cohosh - may interact and narrow arteries.

Q: I take blood-sugar medication (insulin), what herbs will interfere with this?
A: Use caution mixing insulin with bitter melon, cornsilk, dandelion, and prickly pear.

Q: I use an anticoagulant drug called Warfarin. Should I avoid herbs?
A: Use caution taking anticoagulants with chamomile or garlic - they thin blood, too.

Q: I use prescription steroids. Is there a list of herbs to avoid if using this medication?
A: Use caution mixing steroid medications with echinacea. (Steroids: Anabolic steroids, Amiodarone, Methotrexate, and Ketoconazole)

Q: I take blood pressure medication. Can you tell me what herbs will react with my medication?
A: Use caution mixing blood pressure medication (Marplan, Nardil and MAO inhibitors (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) with Ephedra (Ma huang).

Q: Any advice on using herbs if you take anticonvulsants?
A: Use caution mixing anticonvulsants with Evening primrose oil or Borage root (interaction may lower seizure threshold).

Q: I take anticoagulants. What herbs may hinder my medication?
A: Use caution mixing anticoagulants like aspirin, coumadin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Warfarin) with Feverfew, Garlic, Gingko biloba, and Ginger root. Also if preparing for surgery, tell your physician if you have been taking these herbs.

Q: If someone takes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which herbs will interfere with this medication?
A: Use caution mixing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, Digoxin, Heparin, and Warfarin with Ginseng.

Q: I take Digoxin for my heart. What herbs can I take with this medication?
A: You should use caution mixing heart medications like Digoxin with Hawthorn berries, Plantain, Kyushin, and Uzara root.

Q: If you take sedatives, are there certain herbs that I should avoid?
A: Yes, use caution mixing sedatives or tranquilizers with Kava or Valerian. Also avoid alcohol. Kava and Valerian are not for pregnancy.  

Q: I'm diabetic. What herbs will react negatively with my medication?
A: Use caution mixing diabetic or any medication with Kareia.

Q: I'm using licorice to help balance my hormones. What medications will interfere with licorice?
A: Use caution mixing these medications with licorice: Digoxin, Diuretic drugs like Spironolactone, blood pressure medication, and hormonal therapy medications. If you are pregnant, nursing, diabetic, or have kidney or liver disease, you should seek medical advice before using licorice.

Q: I take estrogen. Are there herbal supplements I should avoid?
A: Use caution mixing hormonal therapies like estrogen or oral contraceptives with Saw palmetto.

Q: I have seizures and take medication for this. What herbs may interfere with my medication?
A: Use caution mixing anti-seizure drugs like Phenytoin with Shankapulshpi.

Q: I take anti-depressants and worry about my herbal supplements interfering with my medications. What herbs should I worry about?
A: Use caution mixing anti-depressants, Prozac, Tofranil, Monoamine, oxidase inhibitors, and serotonin Reuptake inhibitors with St. Johnswort. Also if you take light sensative drugs like Piroxicam and Tetracycline you should exercise caution using St. Johnswort.


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