Herbals Flashcards
Main use for glucosamine
Osteoarthritis
MOA for glucosamine
Normal component of cartilage matrix and synovial fluid
May prevent joint-space narrowing
Efficacy for glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM
Glucosamine is worth a shot but will take 4-8 weeks for full effect
Chondroitin: less then glucosamine
MSM: less value (not normal human component)
Have minimal risk/SE
Dosing for glucosamine
500mg TID (or 1500mg OD)
What drug interactions does glucosamine have?
Warfarin
What is the main treatment for omega fatty acids?
Primary and secondary MI prevention
Elevated TG (cholesterol)
MOA for omega fatty acids
ALA can be converted to EPA/DHA by humans, but only minimally
We can only convert 5% of ALA to DHA/EPA
Efficacy of omega fatty acids
50/50 so can give it a try
Risk of omega fatty acids
Unlikely risk of bleeding
Unlikely mercury contamination
Dosing for omega fatty acids
1000mg fish oil = 300mg EPA/DHA
W/o CHD - 500mg/day
With CHD - 1g TID
TG lowering 2-4g/day
Drug interactions of omega fatty acids
NO agents with risk of bleeding
Natural way to get omega fatty acids
1st line: Wild salmon
Flax/flaxseed
What are the other uses for omega fatty acids
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Depression
Dry eyes
ADHD
Muscle cramps from statins
Main use for melatonin
Insomnia
MOA of melatonin
A hormone produced from tryptophan
Ties into our circadian rhythms
Efficacy of melatonin
Worth a try(actually useful)
Drug interactions for melatonin
Mild GI
Headache
Additive drowsiness with other sedating agents
Other uses for melatonin
Depression
Jet leg
CV
GERD
Antioxidant
Use of zzzquil and nytol
Insomnia
MOA of zzzquil and nytol
Using SE from 1st gen antihistamine
Efficacy of zzzquil and nytol
NOT helpful for head colds
Tolerance and rebound insomnia occurs
Side effects of zzzquil and nytol
Dry mouth
Constipation
Urinary retention
On BEERs list
What agent is in zzzquil and nytol?
Diphenhydramine HCl
Main use of St. John’s wort
Mild-moderate depression
Less so for major depression
MOA for St. John’s wort
Natural SSRIs like ability
Creates more serotonin in the body
Efficacy of St. John’s wort
As effective as SSRIs
Side effects of St. John’s wort
GI
Rash
Dizziness
Headache
Drug interactions of St. John’s wort
Lots of rx drugs as it induces CYP P450
Could cause serotonin syndrome if raises serotonin too much
Main use of tea tree oil (melaleuca)
Wound healing
Also has “claims” for acne and head lice
Potential use of green tea
Decrease BP
Anti-cancer
Weight loss
MOA of green tea
Contains polyphenols, antioxidants and catechins
Efficacy of green tea
Good for a healthy diet
Has some potential
What are some green tea products
One a day wight smart
Ginkgo biloba
Green tea extract
Main use of ginkgo
Antioxidant / neuroprotective
Efficacy of ginkgo
NOT helpful for memory loss / dementia or peripheral artery disease
What are the ginkgo products
Remember Fx - just ginseng
Memory Fx - ginseng + ginkgo
Main use for cranberry juice
UTI prevention
MOA of cranberry juice
Reduces e. Coli adherence
Efficacy of cranberry juice
Prevention - possibly effective
Treatment - unlikely
What is cysto plus?
Claims to prevent acidification of urine to reduce symptoms of UTIs
What is the possible risk of HRT shown from a study?
Breast cancer but minimal risk
What is black cohosh
Main ingredient in HRT
MOA of black cohosh
Estrogen like
Efficacy of black cohosh
NOT recommended anymore
What are the black Cohosh products
Estro-logic
Remifemin
Extroven
What is soy an ingredient in?
HRT
MOA of soy for HRT
Converted soy into:
Daidzen —> estrogenic compounds
Efficacy of soy
Decreases hot flashes by an effect of 25%
What is the HRT soy product?
Swiss natural HRT
What is wild yam?
Natural version of estrogen replacement
