Supplements/Herbal Flashcards
Reasons to re-evaluate herbal use
Babies (pregnant or breastfeeding)
Bleeding (Surgery/invasive procedures)
Immunosuppressed (cancer/chemo)
Change in medicine or condition
Most potent phytoestrogen (plant estrogen)
Isoflavones
Herbal supplements used for menopause
Soy, Black cohosh, Red clover, Flaxseed
Soy uses
Menopause (hot flashes)
Cholesterol
Blood Pressure
Soy Protein (food) may decrease____?
severity and frequency of hot flashes
Soy may take up to __ _____ to work?
2 months
Soy Protein is found in
food
Soy extracts is found in
pills/supplements
When to avoid soy supplements
- if taking tamoxifen
- women with estrogen-dependent cancers
*Soy Supplements is never the correct answer
Uses of Black Cohosh
menopause (may reduce hot flashes)
Effectiveness of Black Cohosh
may reduce hot flash frequency compared to baseline but not placebo
Black Cohosh is not effective for treating hot flashes related to ___?
breast cancer
Mechanism of action of Black Cohosh
Similar to SSRIs
Adverse reactions of Black Cohosh
- Rash
- GI complaints
- Breast tenderness
- Headache
- Weight gain
Black Cohosh has been linked to reports of liver damage. For this reason ______ ____ is recommended?
Periodic LFTs
Contraindications of Black Cohosh
In Pregnancy it can increased risk of miscarriage
Use of Red Clover
Menopause (hot flashes)
Efficacy of Red Clover
Mixed evidence but mainly no benefit over placebo
Adverse effects of Red Clover
- Nausea
- Myalgia (muscle pain)
- Vaginal spotting
Red Clover should be avoided
- if taking tamoxifen
- in women with estrogen-dependent cancers
Red Clover can increase risk of ____ with ____ or ____
bleeding; anti-platelet agents or anticoagulants
Use of Flaxseed
Menopause (hot flashes)
Efficacy of flaxseed is
questionable
___g/day of flaxseed may improve hot flashes
40