RE: Fw: [Hedgery] Medicine - Herb/Food Interactions

[Guest guest]

That's a very informative article! I'm saving that one for future

reference!

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Fw: [Hedgery] Medicine - Herb/Food Interactions

 

 Medicine - Herb/Food Interactions

 

Medicine - Herb/Food Interactions

Herbs and Foods May Lead to Complications If You Take Them with Drugs

Many people have the mistaken notion that, being natural, all herbs and

foods are safe. This is not so. Very often, herbs and foods may interact

with medications you normally take that result in serious side reactions. It

is always a good practice to tell your doctor or health practitioners what

you are taking so that they can advise you of possible complications, if

there is any. You should also keep an eye for unusual symptoms. Very often,

this may foretell the symptoms of a drug interaction.

Experts suggest that natural does not mean it is completely safe. Everything

you put in your mouth has the potential to interact with something else. The

medication that is taken by mouth travels through the digestive system in

much the same way as food and herbs taken orally do. So, when a drug is

mixed with food or another herb, each can alter the way the body metabolizes

the other. Some drugs interfere with the body's ability to absorb nutrients.

Similarly, some herbs and foods can lessen or increase the impact of a drug.

Alcohol is a drug that interacts with almost every medication, especially

antidepressants and other drugs that affect the brain and nervous system.

Some dietary components increase the risk of side effects. Theophylline, a

medication administered to treat asthma, contains xanthines, which are also

found in tea, coffee, chocolate, and other sources of caffeine. Consuming

large amounts of these substances while taking theophylline increases the

risk of drug toxicity.

Certain vitamins and minerals impact on medications too. Large amounts of

broccoli, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables high in vitamin K, which

promotes the formation of blood clots, can counteract the effects of

heparin, warfarin, and other drugs given to prevent clotting.

Dietary fiber also affects drug absorption. Pectin and other soluble fibers

slow down the absorption of acetaminophen, a popular painkiller. Bran and

other insoluble fibers have a similar effect on digoxin, a major heart

medication.

As more and more people discover new herbs, there is more and more potential

for the abuse of these herbs and the patients may end up in serious

problems.

I was attending an herb meeting a few weeks ago and a person came to the

speaker and told her that she had very good luck with St. 's Wort to

control her depression. St. 's Wort has been shown to have great

potential to control minor depression. The National Institutes of Health is

conducting a clinical study to determine the effect of St. 's Wort

scientifically. This person, however, continued saying that she is now

trying St. 's Wort for her OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Now,

this is getting into unproven uncharted territory. If you are taking

prescription medication for this disorder, you can get into trouble due to

drug interaction. As shown under the discussion on St. 's Wort, the herb

can be quite dangerous, as it acts similar to MAO inhibitors. They have

severe side reactions, and if not careful, can even lead to death.

High-risk patients, such as the elderly, patients taking three or more

medications for chronic conditions, patients suffering from diabetes,

hypertension, depression, high cholesterol or congestive heart failure,

should be especially on the lookout for such side reactions.

The following are the examples of known interaction between popular herbs,

foods, and prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Hawthorn, touted as effective in reducing angina attacks by lowering blood

pressure and cholesterol levels, should never be taken with Lanoxin

(digoxin), the medication prescribed for most for heart ailments. The mix

can lower your heart rate too much, causing blood to pool, bringing on

possible heart failure.

Ginseng, according to research, can increase blood pressure, making it

dangerous for those trying to keep their blood pressure under control.

Ginseng, garlic or supplements containing ginger, when taken with the

blood-thinning drug, Coumadin, can cause bleeding episodes. Coumadin is a

very powerful drug that leaves little room for error, and patients taking it

should never take any medication or otherwise before consulting a qualified

health professional. In rare cases, ginseng may overstimulate resulting in

insomnia. Consuming caffeine with ginseng increases the risk of

overstimulation and gastrointestinal upset. Long tern use of ginseng may

cause menstrual abnormalities and breast tenderness in some women. Ginseng

is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.

Garlic capsules combined with diabetes medication can cause a dangerous

decrease in blood sugars. Some people who are sensitive to garlic may

experience heartburn and flatulence. Garlic has anti-clotting properties.

You should check with your doctor if you are taking anticoagulant drugs.

Goldenseal is used for coughs, stomach upsets, menstrual problems and even

arthritis. However, the plant's active ingredient will raise blood pressure,

complicating treatment for those taking antihypertensive medications,

especially beta-blockers. For patients taking medication to control diabetes

or kidney disease, this herb can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalance. High

amount of consumption can lead to gastrointestinal distress and possible

nervous system effects. Not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.

Feverfew, believed to be the natural remedy for migraine headaches, should

never be taken with Imitrex or other migraine medications. It can result in

the patient's heart rate and blood pressure to rise dangerous levels.

Guarana, an alternative remedy being used as a stimulant and diet aid,

contains 3 percent to 5 percent more caffeine than a cup of coffee. So, if

you are taking any medication that advises you against taking any drink with

caffeine, you should avoid taking this stimulant. It may cause insomnia,

trembling, anxiety, palpitations, urinary frequency, and hyperactivity.

Avoid during pregnancy and lactation period. Long term use of Guarana may

lead to decreased fertility, cardiovascular disease, and several forms of

cancer.

Kava, a herb that has antianxiety, pain relieving, muscle relaxing and

anticonvulsant effects, should not be taken together with substances that

also act on the central nervous system, such as alcohol, barbiturates, anti

depressants, and antipsychotic drugs.

St. 's Wort is a popular herb used for the treatment of mild depression.

The active ingredient of St. 's Wort is hypericin. Hypericin is believed

to exert a similar influence on the brain as the monoamine oxidase (MAO)

inhibitors such as the one in major antidepressants. Mixing MAO inhibitors

with foods high in tyramine, an amino acid, produces one of the most

dramatic and dangerous food-drug interactions. Symptoms, which can occur

within minutes of ingesting such foods while taking an MAO inhibitor,

include rapid rise in blood pressure, a severe headache, and perhaps

collapse and even death. Foods high in tyramine include aged cheese, chicken

liver, Chianti (and certain other red wines), yeast extracts, bologna (and

other processed meats), dried or pickled fish, legumes, soy sauce, ale, and

beer.

Some patients report that Saint s Wort caused excessive stimulation and

sometimes dizziness, agitation and confusion when taken with other

antidepressants or over-the-counter medications like Maximum Strength

Dexatrim and Acutrim. It also caused their blood pressure to shoot up.

White Willow, an herb traditionally used for fever, headache, pain, and

rheumatic complaints may lead to gastrointestinal irritation, if used for a

long time. It exhibits similar reactions as aspirin (aspirin is derived from

white willow). Long term use may lead to stomach ulcers.

Drug Interaction and Food

Drug interaction risk isn't limited to herbal supplements. Certain foods can

interact with medications.

People taking digoxin should avoid Black licorice (which contains the

ingredient glycyrhizin) . Together, they can produce irregular heart rhythms

and cardiac arrest; licorice and diuretics will produce dangerously low

potassium levels, putting a patient at risk for numbing weakness, muscle

pain and even paralysis. Licorice can also interact with blood pressure

medication or any calcium channel blockers.

Aged cheese (brie, parmesan, cheddar and Roquefort), fava beans, sauerkraut,

Italian green beans, some beers, red wine, pepperoni and overly ripe

avocados should be avoided by people taking MAO antidepressants. The

interaction can cause a potentially fatal rise in blood pressure.

And because Saint s Wort contains the same properties as these MAO

antidepressants, it stands to reason that people ingesting the herb should

avoid these same foods.

Grapefruit juice interacts with calcium channel blockers (including Calan,

Procardia, Nifedipine, and Verapamil), cholesterol control medications, some

psychiatric medications, estrogen, oral contraceptives and many allergy

medications (Seldane, Hismanal). The juice modifies the body's way of

metabolizing the medication, affecting the liver's ability to work the drug

through a person's system. More Information.

Orange juice shouldn't be consumed with antacids containing aluminum. 'The

juice increases the absorption of the aluminum. Orange Juice and milk should

be avoided when taking antibiotics. The juice's acidity decreases the

effectiveness of antibiotics, as does milk.

Milk also doesn't mix with laxatives containing bisacodyl (Correctol and

Dulcolax). You might find the laxative works a little " too well " in the

morning.

Large amounts of oatmeal and other high-fiber cereals should not be eaten

when taking digoxin. The fiber can interfere with the absorption of the

drug, making the act of swallowing the pill a waste of time.

However, don't stop eating your cereal right away, because that could cause

digoxin levels in your system to soar to toxic levels. A professional should

make the dietary changes after carefully examining the digoxin levels.

Leafy green vegetables, high in vitamin K, should not be taken in great

quantities while taking Coumadin. These vegetables could totally negate the

affects of the drug and cause blood clotting.

Caffeinated beverages and asthma drugs taken together can cause excessive

excitability. Those taking Tagament (Simetidine) , quinolone antibiotics

(Cipro, Penetrex, Noroxin) and even oral contraceptives should be aware

these drugs may cause their cup of coffee to give them more of a Java jolt

than they expected.

Grilled meat can lead to problems for those on asthma medications containing

theophyllines. The chemical compounds formed when meat is grilled somehow

prevent this type of medication from working effectively, increasing the

possibility of an unmanageable asthma attack.

Regularly consuming a diet high in fat while taking anti-inflammatory and

arthritis medications can cause kidney damage and can leave the patient

feeling, drowsy and sedated.

Alcoholic beverages tend to increase the depressive effects of medications

such as benzodiazepines, antihistamines, antidepressants, antipsychotics,

muscle relaxants, narcotics, or any drug with sedative actions.

It's a good idea to not consume any alcoholic beverages, or at least scale

way back, when taking prescription medications. Antioxidant and

beta-carotene intensify alcohol's effect on the liver.

Other commonly used over-the-counter medications can cause interaction

problems also.

Aspirin can modify the effectiveness of arthritis medications, strong

prescription steroids and diuretics. Combining aspirin with diabetic

medications can drop blood sugars to dangerous levels. Aspirin can also

cause toxicity when taken with glaucoma and anticonvulsant (anti-seizure)

drugs and cause bleeding episodes when combined with a blood thinner, like

Coumadin.

Acetaminophen can also cause interaction complications when overused. Heavy

drinkers who take acetaminophen for hangover relief risk liver damage.

Taking high doses of acetaminophen with Coumadin can cause bleeding

episodes.

Antacids taken with antibiotics, heart and blood pressure or thyroid

medications can decrease drug absorption by up to 90 percent.

Over-the-counter antihistamines - sold under the names Actifed, Theraflu,

Dimetapp, Benadryl and Comtrex should be avoided if you are taking

antianxiety or antidepressant medications.

Oral contraceptives are less effective when taken with barbiturates,

antibiotics, anti-fungal or tuberculosis drugs.

Turnips contain two goitrogenic substances, progoitrin and gluconasturtin,

which can interfere with the thyroid gland's ability to make its hormones.

Although moderate consumption of goitrogens is not a hazard for healthy

people, they can promote development of a goiter (an enlarged thyroid) in

persons with thyroid disease.

Tomato contains small quantities of a toxic substance known as solanine that

may trigger headaches in susceptible people. They are also a relatively

common cause of allergies. An unidentified substance in tomatoes and

tomato-based products can cause acid reflux, leading to indigestion and

heartburn. Individuals who often have digestive upsets should try

eliminating tomatoes for 2 to 3 weeks to see if there is any improvement.

Strawberries, Raspberries, Spinach, and Rhubarb: These contain oxalic acid,

which can aggravate kidney and bladder stones in susceptible people, and

reduce body's ability to absorb iron and calcium.

Raspberries contain a natural salicylate that can cause an allergic reaction

in aspirin sensitive people.

The seeds from fruits such as Apple, apricot, and Quinces contain amygdalin,

a compound that turns into Hydrogen Cyanide in the stomach. Eating large

amount of seeds can result in cyanide poisoning.

Potatoes: Avoid potatoes with a green tint to the skin, and remove any

sprouts; they will taste bitter and may contain solanine, a toxic substance

that can cause diarrhea, cramps, and fatigue.

Plums, Peaches, Apricots, and Cherries: These fruits may produce allergic

reaction in individuals with confirmed allergies to apricots, almonds,

peaches, and cherries. People who are allergic to aspirin may also encounter

problems after they have eaten plums or peaches as they contain salicylates.

The pits of plums, peaches and apricots contain a compound called

amygdalin.  When consumed in large amounts, amygdalin breaks down into

hydrogen cyanide, a poison.

Horseradish: Very high doses of horseradish can cause vomiting or excessive

sweating. Avoid if you have hypothyroidism.

Turmeric: Should be avoided by persons with symptoms from gallstones.

The drug food interaction is summarized in the table below.

Drugs

Effects and Precautions

Antibiotics

Cephalosporins, penicillin

Take on an empty stomach to speed absorption of the drugs.

Erythromycin

Don't take with fruit juice or wine, which decrease the drug's

effectiveness.

Sulfa drugs

Increase the risk of Vitamin B-12 deficiency

Tetracycline

Dairy products reduce the drug's effectiveness. Lowers Vitamin C absorption

Anticonvulsants

Dilantin, phenobarbital

Increase the risk of anemia and nerve problems due to deficiency of folalte

and other B vitamins.

Antidepressants

Fluoxetine

Reduce appetite and can lead to excessive weight loss

Lithium

A low-salt diet increases the risk of lithium toxicity; excessive salt

reduces the drug's efficacy

MAO Inhibitors

Foods high in tyramine (aged cheeses, processed meats, legumes, wine, beer,

among others) can bring on a hypertensive crisis.

Tricyclics

Many foods, especially legumes, meat, fish, and foods high in Vitamin C,

reduce absorption of the drugs.

Antihypertensives, Heart Medications

ACE inhibitors

Take on an empty stomach to improve the absorption of the drugs.

Alpha blockers

Take with liquid or food to avoid excessive drop in blood pressure.

Antiarrhythmic drugs

Avoid caffeine, which increases the risk of irregular heartbeat.

Beta blockers

Take on an empty stomach; food, especially meat, increases the drug's

effects and can cause dizziness and low blood pressure.

Digitalis

Avoid taking with milk and high fiber foods, which reduce absorption,

increases potassium loss.

Diuretics

Increase the risk of potassium deficiency.

Potassium sparing diuretics

Unless a doctor advises otherwise, don't take diuretics with potassium

supplements or salt substitutes, which can cause potassium overload.

Thiazide diuretics

Increase the reaction to MSG.

Asthma Drugs

Pseudoephedrine

Avoid caffeine, which increase feelings of anxiety and nervousness.

Theophylline

Charbroiled foods and high protein diet reduce absorption. Caffeine

increases the risk of drug toxicity.

Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

Cholestyramine

Increases the excretion of folate and vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Gemfibrozil

Avoid fatty foods, which decrease the drug's efficacy in lowering

cholesterol.

Heartburn and Ulcer Medications

Antacids

Interfere with the absorption of many minerals; for maximum benefit, take

medication 1 hour after eating.

Cimetidine, Fanotidine, Sucralfate

Avoid high protein foods, caffeine, and other items that increase stomach

acidity.

Hormone Preparations

Oral contraceptives

Salty foods increase fluid retention. Drugs reduce the absorption of folate,

vitamin B-6, and other nutrients; increase intake of foods high in these

nutrients to avoid deficiencies.

Steroids

Salty foods increase fluid retention. Increase intake of foods high in

calcium, vitamin K, potassium, and protein to avoid deficiencies.

Thyroid drugs

Iodine-rich foods lower the drug's efficacy.

Laxatives

Mineral Oils

Overuse can cause a deficiency of vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Painkillers

Aspirin and stronger non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Always take with food to lower the risk of gastrointestinal irritation;

avoid taking with alcohol, which increases the risk of bleeding. Frequent

use of these drugs lowers the absorption of folate and vitamin C.

Codeine

Increase fiber and water intake to avoid constipation.

Sleeping Pills, Tranquilizers

Benzodiazepines

Never take with alcohol. Caffeine increases anxiety and reduce drug's

effectiveness.

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