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| Answer | |
| I am taking herbal supplements with other medications without consulting a pharmacist or a doctor. Is it safe? Do I need to consult a pharmacist or a doctor? | |
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Question:
I am taking herbal supplements with other medications without consulting a pharmacist or a doctor. Is it safe? Do I need to consult a pharmacist or a doctor?
Answer: Most people think that herbal supplements are natural and so assume that they are harmless. However, this is not true all the time. Certain herbal or dietary supplements may interact with your medicines. When taken together, the herbal supplement may cause a decrease or an increase in the effect of the medicine or even render it ineffective. For example, St. John's Wort which is touted to alleviate depression may render birth control pills ineffective. Ginkgo biloba, which is promoted for use in improving cognitive function and blood flow, may increase the effect of blood-thinning medicines and has the potential to cause excessive bleeding when used in conjunction with them. In addition, herbal products may not be suitable for certain medical conditions and may increase the risk of adverse effects. For example, if you have heart problems or diabetes, you are not advised to take ephedra (Ma huang) as it has been reported to have adverse reactions such as increased heartbeat and reduced awareness of low blood sugar, thus posing a serious health threat to you. Therefore, you should always check with your pharmacist or doctor before taking any herbal supplement so that he/she is able to provide you with appropriate advice on whether the supplement is suitable for you.
Source: Loh Li Ling, Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore More information and advice can be obtained from your pharmacist. Send your questions to sthealth@sph.com.sg
References: 1. The Health Supplements Information Service http://www.hsis.org/default.htm?http&&&www.hsis.org/home.htm 2. Facts & Myths: Herbs and Vitamins http://www.healthychild.net/articles/hy21facts.html 3. Popular Herbal Remedies: Examining Their Effectiveness and Potential for Drug Interactions and Adverse Reactions. http://www.continuingeducation.com/pharmtech/herbs/herbs.pdf 4. Herbal Remedies: Adverse Effects and Drug Interactions |