Herbals and Supplements

Question 1

Echinacea

• What is it’s use?
• Adverse effects?
• Drug interactions

Answer 1

1. Treat infection and boost immunity
2. Tongue numbness, autoimmune disease aggravation, results in proregession of infections
3. Interacts with phenobarbital, sedatives, and hypnotics

Question 2

Ephedra

• Use?
• Increases or decrease HR/BP?
• Interacts with what?
• Why does it matter that it interacts with MAO-inhibitors?

Answer 2

1. CNS stimulant, appetite suppressant, and energy enhancer
2. Increase HR/BP
3. Interacts with other CNS stimulants (caffeine/decongestants)
4. Life-threatening interaction to enhance HR/BP

Question 3

Garlic

• Uses?
• Interaction?

Answer 3

1. Lower LDL and triglycerides, increase HDL cholesterol, lower BP, broad spectrum anti-biotic
2. Interferes with anticoagulant therapy and increases bleeding

Question 4

Ginger

- Adverse reactions?

Answer 4

1. Decreases platelet aggregation and increases bleeding tendency

Question 5

Gingko biloba

- Adverse reactions

Answer 5

1. Inhibits platelet aggregation, mild GI distress, headache, vomiting and nausea, interferes with metabolism of oral hypoglycemic drugs and calcium channel blockers

Question 6

Ginseng

- Adverse reactions

Answer 6

1. Interferes with anti platelet activity (avoid aspirin or other NSAIDs) and decreases effect of warfarin

Question 7

St John’s Wort

• Uses
• Adverse events
• Drug interactions

Answer 7

1. Treats depression/anxiety, anti-inflammatory in gut/respiratory tract, fight virus infections
2. Causes photosensitivity in high doses
3. Impacts efficacy of any drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CCB’s, statins, NSAID’s, COX-2 inhibitors)

Question 8

Saw Palmetto

- Use?

Answer 8

Mild diuretic for treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy

Question 9

Valerian

• Use?
• Drug interactions

Answer 9

1. Calming effect (facilitate sleep)

2. Additive effect with CNS depressants and increases sedation w/ sedatives, alcohol, antihistamines