herbals & OTC Flashcards
(145 cards)
DHEA (dihydroepiandrosterone)
-naturally occurring steroid hormone
-promoted to slow the aging process, vaginal thinning (recommend vaginal suppositories), & depression
-make sure pt does NOT have breast cancer (fueled by estrogen) or prostate cancer (fueled by testosterone). DHEA increases risk of hormone-sensitive cancers
Lysine or L-lysine
-used for cold sores
-administer on an empty stomach + have low amounts of arginine (this competes w/ lysine for absorption)
-what naturally has lysine: food rich in PRT, meat, cheese (parmesan), yogurt, certain fish (cod, sardines), eggs
-our bodies don’t make it (essential amino acid)
FAV: famcyclovir, acyclovir valcyclovir –> all FDA approved to treat cold sores
Lutein
EYE HEALTH (Lut”eye”in)
St. Johns Wort
-used for depression
-effects 5-HT1 and 5-HT2
-increases serotonin (serotonergic agent)
-potent CYP450 inducer (DDI) –> decreases birth control (ethinyl estradiol), warfarin (increased clot risk), cyclosporine, non-DHPS, antifungal (keto, itraconazole), chemotherapy agents (etoposide - G2 phase; caps in the fridge, paclitaxel, vinblastine, vincristine)
dextromethorphan
INCREASES SEROTONIN
serotonin symptoms
-agitation or restlessness
-insomnia
-confusion
-rapid heart rate + high bp
-dilated pupils
-loss of muscle coordination OR twitching muscles (tremors)
-muscle rigidity
-diarrhea
-fever
TCA
Increases serotonin + norepinephrine
serotonin syndrome: what drugs to look out for DDI (can increase or decrease)
-SSRIs
-SNRIs
-TCAs
-cyclobenzaprine (remember: looks like TCAs)
-triptans
-ergots
-MAOI (phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, safinamide, selegiline, rasagiline, linezolid, tedizolid, methylene blye, procarbazine)
-5-HT3 receptor antagonists (example: ondansetron –> decreases serotonin)
-tramadol
-meperidine
-methadone
-fentanyl
-dextromethorphan (delsym: long acting)
SAM-e (S-adenosyl-L-methionine)
-used for depression (can be rec’d instead of St. John’s Wort since it is NOT AN INDUCER)
-also used for osteoarthritis
-naturally occurring in the body; concentrations highest in childhood
[CAUTION]
-theoretically, SAM-e might increase serotonin levels i.e., pts with bipolar d/o should NOT take SAM-e for their depressive symptoms
-theoretically, SAM-e might increase chance of PCP infection in pts with AIDS
lithium orotate (symmetry, serenity)
promoted for addiction, insomnia, mood swings, stress
many SEs: cognitive, wt gain, risk for hypothyroidism. polyuria & DM can also occur
narrow therapeutic index drug
-early lithium toxicity < 2 mEq/L –> diarrhea, drowsiness, muscle weakness & vomiting
-blood levels > 2 mEq/L can cause ataxia, blurred vision, tinnitus, polyuria
-blood levels > 3 mEq/L can causes cardiac arrhythmias, kidney damage, and neurologic toxicity
always take w/ food
balance electrolytes
DDI
-NSAIDs increase lithium levels (but not ASA and sulindac)
-lithium goes in the opposite direction of sodium
-thiazides, ACEi both increase lithium toxicity
SE mnemonic = LITHIUM
L = leukocytosis, check Levels (maintenance levels 0.6 - 1 mEq/L; Max = 1.2)
I = Increase in polyuria & polydipsia
T = tremor, hypothyroidism (check TSH; can also cause hyperthyroidism)
H = hypercalcemia
I = increase in dermefex, increase in CNS effects
U = 100% through kidneys; bUn = remember renal
M = monitor the web (Wt, EKG, BetaHCG = don’t want to give in pregnancy)
*no proof that lithium orotate is effective
[ lithium carbonate / lithium citrate = rx for bipolar disorder ]
glucosamine sulfate
used for osteoarthritis (SAMY also used for osteoarthritis) [there IS evidence showing efficacy]
caution w/ DM pts
glucosamine is involved in building tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the fluid that surrounds joints
some products made from the shells of shrimp = concern for shellfish allergy (but allergy is typically with the meat of the shellfish = allergy w/ glucosamine not actually seen)
chondroitin
used for osteoarthritis
normally found in cartilage around joints in the body
glucosamine / chondroitin
used for osteoarthritis (takes 2 - 3 months to work)
caution w/ DM pts (may increase blood sugar –> use under close medical supervision)
some reports, w/ blood-thinning meds, of increased INR and bleeding w/ Coumadin
kava (or kava-kava)
used for anxiety disorders, stress & insomnia (think alcohol –> sedating effect)
can cause hepatotoxicity and liver failure
kava kava + alcohol –> CNS depression
valerian
ONLY INSOMNIA
chamomile
used for anxiety & as a bedtime tea
caution: anaphylaxis if the pt has a ragweed allergy or similar allergies
saw palmetto
used for bph
appears to non competitively inhibit 5 alpha-reductase
SEs: mild GI, HA
[ overall studies have not shown effectivity ]
Ma Huang (Ephedra)
used to increase energy levels, for wt loss (“fat burner”), and marked as a stimulant
as of 2004, dietary supplements containing ephedrine are illegal to sell in the US so wt loss products have used other stimulant substitutes instead (e.g., bitter orange - contains synephrine, synephrine, guarana - major stimulant, yerba mate, green tea)
ginseng
used for fatigue and stress
-increase athletic performance
-improve cognitive function
-stimulate immune function
-decrease blood glucose levels in pts with type 2 DM (hypoglycemia; especially w/ insulin or oral hypoglycemics i.e., an agent that secretes insulin)
SEs (think of it as a stimulant): insomnia, nervousness, tachycardia, HA, HTN (may worsen HTN w/ concomitant caffeine use), GI
Toxicity: “Ginseng Abuse Syndrome” aggressive behavior
*AMERICAN ginseng can decrease INR (cause induction of 2C9)
*ASIAN + SIBERIAN ginseng can increase INR
gingko
used for dementia, TO IMPROVE MEMORY, cerebral vascular insufficiency, Alzheimer’s, asthma
SEs: GI upset, dizziness, HA
inhibits platelet aggregation (increase INR) –> additive effect w/ warfarin, ASA, NSAIDs, heparin
because of potential bleeding risk, it should be discontinued at least 36 hours prior to a planned surgical procedure
might increase the risk of strokes in elderly patients who take it for > 6 years (don’t recommend for the long term)
[ no real proof that it is effective ]
prevagen
marketed to improve memory (this is a protein that comes from jellyfish)
SEs: CV events (e.g., stroke), may cause seizure in pts w/ predisposing conditions
[ no real proof that it is effective ]
Garlic (Allium sativum)
used for:
-prevention of atherosclerosis
-high blood pressure (weak evidence)
-immune system stimulation (weak evidence)
-hyperlipidemia (not recommended; literally no evidence)
SE: Mild GI Symptoms
DDI
-INCREASES INR (increased risk of bleeding)
-Inducer of CYP3A4 (similar to St. John’s Wort)
-Also reduces saquinavir
Echinacea (purple coneflower)
used for respiratory tract infections and general immune system stimulation (it can help prevent infections)
Possible MOA: May increase phagocytosis
SE: Mild GI
Toxicity: May include anaphylaxis
sometimes used w/ Goldenseal
Goldenseal
used as an
-antimicrobial (for colds and other RTI)
-anti-inflammatory
-laxative
-induce contract of greater tonicity of the uterus (never rec in pregnancy)
sometimes used w/ Echinacea