Avoiding Common Herb/Drug Interactions

If you're among the 56% of Americans taking herbal supplements regularly, it's important to understand how these products may interact with the prescription drugs you may also be taking. Here is a look at four of the most commonly-used herbal supplements and some of the possible herb/drug interactions that can result from their usage.

Aloe & Possible Drug Interactions

Native to the Mediterranean area, Aloe vera is now used worldwide as a burn remedy, a digestive aid and as a natural anti-inflammatory. Unfortunately, the properties that make aloe so useful to herbal medicine are the same properties that give it the potential to interact with a variety of prescription drugs.

Diabetics interested in ingesting aloe should be especially careful. Aloe, even if used alone, can cause sudden drops in blood glucose levels. When combined with the prescription medications often used to treat type 2 diabetes, aloe can be especially dangerous.

Aloe vera can also increase the anti-inflammatory action of medications like hydrocortisone and must be used with care. And when combined with any of the popular diuretics, aloe can lower the body's potassium levels to dangerously low levels.

Flaxseed Oil & Potential Side Effects

The omega-3 fatty acids that make flaxseed oil such a godsend to natural medicine can also wreak havoc on the body when combined with prescription blood thinners or medications intended to lower cholesterol levels. Used carefully, flaxseed oil may help reduce a patient's need for these medications. Used without care, the effect can be unpredictable and perhaps even dangerous.

Flaxseed oil can also slow the absorption of several oral medications and, if taken at all, should be taken several hours ahead of any oral medications.

Garlic As Food; Garlic As Medicine

Most people tend to think of garlic more as a food than as a medication but emerging research suggests that garlic may someday be a powerful weapon in the fight against type 2 diabetes, fungal infections, high blood pressure and more. Unfortunately, garlic can also interact with a number of prescription medications, especially prescription blood thinners.

At least in theory, garlic can exaggerate the anti-coagulant effect of one of the most widely-prescribed prescription drugs, warfarin. There's also evidence that garlic's potential anti-platelet properties may increase the risk of excessive bleeding during dental procedures and minor surgical operations.

St. John's Wort & The Danger It Brings

Few herbs rival St. John's wort in terms of controversy and the list of medications with which St. John's wort can interact is long, indeed. Most notably, this popular herb can interfere with a medication millions of women take every day--birth control pills. St. John's wort can dramatically reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, especially low-dose contraceptives. St. John's wort can also contribute to "breakthrough" bleeding in women combining St. John's wort and birth control pills.

St. John's wort can also be dangerous to people taking antiretroviral medications. This is especially troubling because St. John's wort is a popular herbal remedy for HIV-positive people not yet on an anti-viral regimen. If the St. John's wort is not discontinued prior to beginning an AIDs regimen, the medicinal action of the prescription drugs can be severely compromised.

Avoiding Common Herb/Drug Interactions

It's important to remember that any substance--no matter how "natural"--capable of causing positive change in the body is also capable of causing side effects. "Natural" doesn't automatically mean "safe".

It's equally important to remember that only your doctor is qualified to give you medical advice. Before you begin an herbal supplement regimen, talk to a licensed health care professional for information tailored just for you.

References:

Boudreau, M., Beland, F. (2006). An evaluation of the biological and toxicological properties of Aloe barbadensis (miller), Aloe vera.

Goldstein L., Elias, M., Berkovitch, M., Golik, A. (2006). The risks of combining medicine and herbal remedies.

Ramsay, N., Kenny, M., Davies, G., Patel, J. (2005). Complimentary and alternative medicine use among patients starting warfarin.

AIDS Study Group. (2006). Interactions that can compromise response to antiretroviral therapy.