Univera Healthcare asks that people who take supplements talk to
their health care provider.
People who use herbal supplements should talk to their doctor or pharmacist about possible side effects, especially if they are taking certain medications or about to have surgery, according to Univera Healthcare officials.
"Herbal supplements, while derived from natural plants, act in a way that is similar to drugs, and can be risky in some cases," said Joel Owerbach, Pharm.D., vice president and chief pharmacy officer of Univera Healthcare. "We want people to be healthy and safe, which is why we are asking patients to consult with their health care provider."
Here are some cases in which a conversation with your health care provider about your use of herbal supplements is especially important:
A traditional medication is available for your medical condition: You may avoid drug reactions if you take a medication that has been proven to be safe and effective by the FDA. (The FDA does not have the authority to ask for proof that herbals are safe and effective.)
You are pregnant or breast feeding
You are having surgery: Many supplements may affect the success of surgery. All herbs and supplements should be stopped one week before surgery because of possible interaction with anesthesia or normal clotting. Once you learn you need surgery, tell your doctor about any herbals you are taking.
You are younger than 18 or older than 65: Medications are broken down differently in the body at different ages. Seniors may react differently to medications than children. Few herbal supplements have been tested for safety and effectiveness on children.
You are taking certain prescriptions or over-the-counter medications: Some herbal supplements can cause serious side effects when mixed with other medications such as aspirin, blood thinners or blood pressure medications.
The following chart gives more details on the possible side effects of mixing certain prescriptions with herbal supplements. If you are taking any medications on this list, write them down and talk to your health care provider.
Herbal Name: | Harmful if taken with: | Potential adverse reactions: |
Echinacea | Steroids, Alcohol, AIDS medications | Liver Damage |
Garlic | Diabetes medications, Warfarin (Coumadin) | Can prevent diabetes medications from lowering blood sugar. Can increase the risk of bleeding with Warfarin. |
Ginkgo | Aspirin, Warfarin, MAO Inhibitors | Can act as blood thinner to increase bleeding and may increase blood pressure. |
Licorice | Spironolactone (Aldactone), Digoxin | Muscle weakness, swelling and high blood pressure. |
Quinine | Amantadine (Symmetrel), Digoxin, Phenobarbital | Heart damage, clumsiness, unsteadiness and confusion. |
St. John's Wort | Antidepressants, Digoxin, Anticonvulsants, Narcotics, Oral Contraceptives | Can reduce the effect of these drugs and increase the likelihood of seizures, confusion, nausea and fatigue. |
Valerian Root | Alcohol, Sleeping pills, Valium, Klonopin, Xanax, Phenobarbital | Can add to the sedative effects of these drugs and cause excessive drowsiness. |
All herbs with diuretic properties (Broom, Buchu, Dandelion, Juniper) | Lithium | Can increase levels of lithium in the blood which can cause many side effects including slurred speech, confusion, hallucinations, coma, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision and low blood pressure and palpitations. |