Herbal Agents

Question 1

ginger: intended uses

Answer 1

nausea
dyspepsia
constipation
colic

Question 2

ginger: side effects

Answer 2

heartburn
bloating
flatus
belching

Question 3

ginger: precautions/interactions

Answer 3

increases risk of bleeding
avoid use w/ASA or warfarin

Question 4

ginseng: intended uses

Answer 4

increase overall physical and mental wellbeing
lower cholesterol
reduce fatigue
enhance libido

Question 5

ginseng: side effects

Answer 5

insomnia
Headaches
Nervousness
Nosebleeds
nausea
diarrhea

Question 6

ginseng: precautions/interactions

Answer 6

increases risk of bleeding
avoid with ASA or warfarin
blood pressure changes
mania in depressed patients taking MAOIs
may inhibit the effects of opioids

Question 7

St. John’s Wort: intended uses

Answer 7

depression
anxiety
sleep disorders
improve BPH symptoms

Question 8

St. John’s Wort: side effects

Answer 8

increased sensitivity to sunlight
anxiety
dizziness, headache
fatigue
dry mouth
GI symptoms
sexual dysfunction

Question 9

St. John’s Wort: precautions/interactions

Answer 9

increases risk of blood clotting

avoid w/ASA or warfarin

many drug interactions
-SSRIs: contribute to serotonin syndrome
-decrease effectiveness of OCPs, digoxin, alprazolam, amitriptyline
-may decrease effectiveness in HIV patients taking antriretrovirals

reacts with light

Question 10

echinacea: intended uses

Answer 10

reduce symptoms of the common cold

Question 11

echinacea: side effects

Answer 11

allergic reactions
nausea
abdominal pain
dysuria
myalgias

Question 12

echinacea: precautions/interactions

Answer 12

anaphylaxis
hepatotoxicity
nephrotoxicity
may cause increased sedation during anesthesia

Question 13

gingko biloba: intended uses

Answer 13

memory and concentration
improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
intermittent claudication
glaucoma

Question 14

gingko biloba: side effects

Answer 14

N/V/D
headaches
dizziness
palpitations

Question 15

gingko biloba: precautions/interactions

Answer 15

increases risk of bleeding
avoid w/ASA, warfarin
may increase BP over time

Question 16

black cohosh: intended uses

Answer 16

improving premenstrual and menopausal discomfort

Question 17

black cohosh: side effects

Answer 17

N/V/D
mastalgia
weight gain

Question 18

black cohosh: precautions/interactions

Answer 18

large amounts can cause seizures, visual disturbances, bradycardia
may increase risk of bleeding
mimics estrogen effects; avoid taking with hormone replacement

Question 19

evening primrose: intended uses

Answer 19

improving premenstrual and menopausal discomfort
relieve diabetic neuropathic pain

Question 20

evening primrose: side effects

Answer 20

Nausea
soft stools
headache
allergy

Question 21

evening primrose: precautions/interactions

Answer 21

may increase risk of epilepsy in patients taking antipsychotics
may increase the incidence of seizures in patients with seizure disorders requiring anesthesia for surgery

Question 22

kava kava: intended uses

Answer 22

improve relaxation without disrupting mental clarity

Question 23

kava kava: side effects

Answer 23

rash
eye irritation

Question 24

kava kava: precautions/interactions

Answer 24

higher doses and long-term use can lead to hypertension, liver damage, visual impairment, dry skin
alcohol increases toxic effects
may worsen Parkinson’s symptoms
may impair reaction time when driving

Question 25

garlic: intended uses

Answer 25

improve indigestion
increase energy levels

Question 26

garlic: side effects

Answer 26

bad breath
nausea
indigestion

Question 27

garlic: precautions/interactions

Answer 27

increases risk of bleeding
avoid w/ASA and oral ACs