Supplements Flashcards
(16 cards)
Echinacea
Uses:
Common cold and other infections
Studies:
Found that it can help protect you from a cold but if your already sick it doesn’t work
Side effects: Allergic reactions possible Nausea and stomach pain most common Interactions with drugs are low but midasolam toxicity reported Inhibits CYP 3A4
Saw Palmetto
Uses:
Urinary symptoms associated with enlarged prostate
Studies:
Not any more effective than placebo
Does not do anything for any health condition
Cautions:
Mild side effects
Not shown to interact with any medications
Tea Tree Oil
Uses:
Acne, nail fungus, and athlete’s foot
Studies:
Limited research: might be helpful for acne, nail fungus and athlete’s foot
Cautions:
DO NOT SWALLOW
May develop dermatitis
Ginger
Uses:
Nausea, motion sickness and arthritis
Studies:
May help with pregnancy-related nausea
Unclear results for post surgery nausea, motion sickness and arthritis
Cautions:
Watch with gallstone disease
May interact with blood thinners (warfarin)
Cranberry
Uses:
Current urinary tract infections
Studies:
May reduce risk but ineffective as treatment for existing UTI
Cautions:
May alter levels of warfarin
Large amounts may cause upset stomach and increase kidney stone risk
Black Cohosh
Uses:
Hot flashes and menopause symptoms
Studies:
Efficacy for menopause is inconsistent and insufficient
Cautions:
Don’t confuse with blue cohosh which is very dangerous
Little risk of herb-drug interactions
Garlic
Uses:
For high cholesterol, high blood pressure and common cold
Studies:
Conflicting evidence for lowering cholesterol
May help blood pressure but very weak evidence
Not evidence to assess benefit with cold
Side effects:
Some allergic reactions
May increase risk of bleeding (warfarin or having surgery)
Interferes with some drugs saqyinavir (HIV drug)
Ginseng
Uses:
Increase well-being, physical stamina and concentration; relieve respiratory disorders, depression, anxiety
Studies:
No conclusive evidence supporting anything
Cautions:
Long-term safety questions
Headaches, sleep problems, digestive problems
Induces CYP 3A4
May affect blood sugar and blood pressure (hypoglycemia)
Possible interaction with warfarin
Red yeast rice
Current uses:
lower cholesterol and lipids
Studies:
found it was good due to production of monacolin K (lovastatin) when it’s produced but FDA said they can’t do that so shut down the production that created it. New studies show no effect when monacolin K isn’t present
Cautions:
Don’t take when breastfeeding or pregnant
Myopathy and liver toxicity reported
Can interfere with other cholesterol drugs, some antibiotics and antidepressants (nefazodome) and fungal and HIV drugs
Citrinin can form which can cause kidney failure
Milk Thistile
Uses:
Currently uses for liver problems
Studies:
Found no benefit
Cautions: May produce allergic reactions Patients with diabetes should be cautious Inhibits CYP 2C9 and 3A4 Indinavir (crixivan) function inpaired
St. John’s Wort
Uses:
Most often for depression
Topically for wound healing
Studies:
Found to be useful for mild/moderate depression but not for severe
Other studies showed not support
Cautions:
Can interact with many drugs to create life-threatening ways
Weakens the effect of many meds (cyp 3A4 and PgP (removes drugs from system) inducer)
Increased sensitivity to sunlight and can cause cataracts and nerve damage
Ginkgo Biloba
Uses:
Dementia, eye problems, tinnitus
Studies:
No evidence for benefit in any health condition
Cautions:
Headache, upset stomach
Increased risk for bleeding
May interact with conventional medications (CYP2C19 induces: omeprazole, plavix; inhibits CYP2C9: ibuprofen, aspirin, warfarin)
Valerian
Current use:
insomnia and anxiety
Studies:
sleep is inconsistent and no evidence for anxiety
Side effects/cautions:
do not take with alcohol but few side effects and it’s safe for short periods
Butterbur
Uses:
Headaches including migraines and other conditions
Studies:
Endorsed to reduce the frequency of migraines
No efficacy for allergic skin rxns or asthma
Cautions:
Raw unprocessed plant parts (including teas) can cause serious liver dmg
Caution when used in combo with CPY 3A4 inducers (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and others)
Psyllium Fiber
Uses:
Constipation, and can reduce high cholesterol
Studies:
Very safe and effective for treating constipation
Also effective for lowering cholesterol
Cautions:
Abdominal gas, bloating
Causes slow absorption of carbs and some drugs such as carbamazepine, antibiotics, warfarin, digoxin and nitrofurantion
Peppermint Oil
Uses:
IBS and digestive problems
Studies:
May improve IBS symptoms and might help tension headaches
Not enough evidence for conclusions on help with nausea, cold or others
Cautions:
Safe when taken orally
Do not apply to skin (especially chest of infants and children)
Cause heart burn
