Exam 1: Herbals Flashcards
Acai: Uses
Weight loss
Acai: Efficacy
Insufficient evidence
Acai: Adverse effect
Generally well tolerate
Acai: Other information to know
Chagas disease (parasitic protozoan) from raw fruit and juice
Bitter orange: Uses
Weight loss
Bitter orange: adverse effects
Prolongs QT interval
Potential cardiac adverse effects
Bitter orange: What other drug is it related to?
Ephedrine
Herbals: The use of ____ has been banned by many sport organizations
Bitter orange
Black cohosh: Uses
Menopause (hot flashes)
Black cohosh: efficacy
questionable – may reduce frequency compared to baseline but not placebo?
Not effective for hot flashes related to cancer
Black cohosh: adverse effects
Reports of liver damage (if long-term use, check LFTs) Weight gain Breast tenderness Headache Rash GI complaints
Black cohosh: contraindication
Pregnancy (causes uterine contractions, increased risk of miscarriages)
Black cohosh: MOA
More like SSRIs than phytoestrogens
Caffeine: Uses
Mental acuity
Weight loss
Caffeine: Efficacy
Possibly effective when combined with thermogenic agents
Caffeine: Adverse effects
Increased HR
Diuretic effects
Increased BP
Caffeine: What happens when you have high doses?
Increase anxiety and decrease in mental acuity
Cranberry: Uses
UTI
Cranberry: efficacy
Prevention: mixed results on pt population
Treatment: not effective
Cranberry: Adverse effects
Well tolerated
Cranberry: MOA
Not related to acidification of urine but rather prevents bacterial adhesion to uroepithelial cells
Cranberry: Interactions
May inhibit CYP3A4
Warfarin (increases INR)
Echinacea: Uses
Common cold
Echinacea: Efficacy
Limited effectiveness for prevention
Doesn’t affect duration
Echinacea: Adverse effects
GI complaints
Rash (especially children)
Allergic reactions
Echinacea: contraindications
Autoimmune disorders Asthma Ragweed allergy Atopy Allergic rhinitis
Which herbal is contraindicated with pregnancy?
Black cohosh – increases uterine contractions, potential miscarriage risk
Which herbal is contraindicated with ragweed allergy?
Echinacea
Ephedra: Use
Weight loss
Ephedra: Adverse effect
Heart attack Arrhythmia Stroke Psychosis Seizures Death
Ephedra: Other
BANNED, DO NOT RECOMMEND
Fish Oil: Uses
Cholesterol
Fish oil: 2 types
EPA and DHA
Fish oil: Uses
Hyperlipidemia: decreases TG (high doses, Rx)
Reduces BP modestly (2-5 SBP/1-3 DBP)
Mental development (infants)
Dietary fish oil reduces risk of CHF by 15%
Fish oil: Dietary fish oil reduces risk of _____
CHF by 15%
Fish oil: adverse effects
Fishy burp Halitosis Heartburn Loose stool May increase LDL slightly
Fish oil: Tips for AE
Take with meals, freeze caps, use EC to minimize AE
Fish oil: What happens if you take a dose >3g/day?
Many inhibit platelet aggregation
Fish oil: AHA recommendation
2 servings/week, non-fried fish in place of other proteins
Flaxseed: Uses
Menopause (40g/day)
Flaxseed: Efficacy
Questionable (most people unwilling/unable to take dose needed for efficacy)
Flaxseed: Adverse effects
Bloating
Flatulence
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Flaxseed: What is the efficacious dose and what is the issue?
40g/day, has high fat and calorie content (most people unwilling, it’s a lot)
May take 1-2 months to see beneficial effects