Common Herbal Supplements

Common Herbal Supplements and their Cointraindications and Drug interactions
Compiled From Red Book: the Pharmacist’s Fundamental Reference
2009 Edition, Herbal Medicine Guide
(5/5)

C [contraindications] and D [drug interactions]

Alfalfa
C- SLE, gout, pregnancy, internal use

Aloe
C- Intestinal obstruction, acutely inflame intestinal diseases [Crohn's, ulcerative colitis], appendicitis, abdominal pain of unknown origins, ileus, pregnancy and nursing mothers

D- antiarrhytmics, antidiabetics, cardiac glycosides,corticosteroids/glucocorticoids, licorice, thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics

Brewer's Yeast
D- MAO inhibitors [raises blood pressure]

Borage
C- epilepsy, eliptogenic drugs, schizophrenia, pregnancy and nursing mothers

Castor oil
C- Intestinal obstruction, acutely inflame intestinal diseases, appendicitis, abdominal pain of unknown origins, ileus, pregnancy and nursing mothers, immunosuppressant therapies, children under 12
D- cardioactive steroids

Cinnamon
C- pregnancy

Echinecea
C- autoimmune diseases, MS, Leukosis, collagen diseases, AIDS, TB, tendency toward allergies, diabetes, pregnancy
D- corticosteroids, immunosuppressants

Evening Primrose
C- epilepsy, schizophrenia
D- anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, Heparins of low molecular weight, thrombolytic agents

Flaxseed
C- Ileus, stricture of esophegus, acute imflammation of GI tract
D- delays drug absorption, unspecified

Garlic
C- Nursing mothers, or within 10 days of surgery

Ginger
C- Pregnancy or lactation, morning sickness, gallstones, hemorrhage risk

Gingko [biloba]
C- at risk for intracranial bleeding, hemorrhage, systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes, amyloid senile plaques, seizure risk
D- anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, Heparins of low molecular weight, thrombolytic agents, NSAIDS, anticonvulsants, SSRIs, Prozac, Buspirone, Insulin, MAO inhibitors, Nicardipine, Nifedipine, Thiazide diuretics, Papvarine

Ginseng
D- conjugated estrogens, hypoglycemic drugs, loop diuretics, MAO inhibitors, Nifedipine

Licorice
D- anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, Heparins of low molecular weight, thrombolytic agents, antiarrhythmics, antidiabetic agents, antihypertension agents, combination contraceptives, corticosteroids, glucocorticoids, digitalis glycoside perarations, insulin, laxatives, loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics, MAO inhibitors, potassium supplements, testosterone

Saw palmetto
D- alpha andrenergic blockers, androgens hormones, hormone-like drugs, andrenergic drugs, iron, warfarin

St Johns Wort
D- Among may others: anto anxiety medicines, anticoagulants, antodepressants, antiHIVs, calcium channel blockers, cardiac glycosides, oral contraceptives, statins

Wormwood
C- history of seizures, stomach or intestinal ulcers, pregnancy, nursing mothers
D- Iron, phenothiazines, trazodone, tricyclic antidepressants