INTRODUCTION :

There is a concern in the medical world, about the flourishing use of nutraceuticals, the silence of patients in regard to that consumption and the possible occurrence of interaction between nutraceuticals and prescribed drugs :

Herbal medicinals (Nutraceuticals, note added) are being used by an increasing number of patients who typically do not advise their clinicians of concomitant use. Known or potential drug-herb interactions exist and should be screened for.

For the nutraceutical industry and for the consumers of nutraceuticals, the concern should be broader than the concern of the medical world. The nutraceutical industry isprimarily concerned with possible interaction of nutraceuticals with each other, as well as possible interaction of hutraceruticals with prescrition drugs.

We believe that the nutraceutical industry has a responsibility to educate the consumer and that the public has the right to be informed.

Thereunder we review the interactions between nutraceuticals and prescribed drugs. This review is a contribution to the education and the information of the public.

SUMMARY :

Echinacea can cause hepatotoxicity and therefore should not be used with other known hepatotoxic drugs, such as anabolic steroids, amiodarone, methotrexate, and ketoconazole.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may negate the usefulness of feverfew in the treatment of migraine headaches.

Fever few, garlic, Ginkgo, ginger, and ginseng may alter bleeding time and should not be used concomitantly with warfarin sodium.

Ginseng may cause headache, tremulousness, and manic episodes in patients treated with phenelzine sulfate. Ginseng should also not be used with estrogens or corticosteroids because of possible additive effects.

St John wort: Not to use with MAO inhibitors and serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Valerian should not be used with barbiturates because of excessive sedation.

Kyushin, licorice, plantain, uzara root, hawthorn, and ginseng may interfere with digoxin pharmacodynamically and with digoxin monitoring.

Evening primrose oil and borage should not be used with anticonvulsants because they may lower the seizure threshold.

Kava when used with alprazolam has resulted in coma.

Immunostimulants (eg, Echinacea and zinc) should not be given with immunosuppressants (eg, corticosteroids and cyclosporine).

Tannic acids present in some herbs (eg, St John's wort and saw palmetto) may inhibit the absorption of iron.

Kelp as a source of iodine may interfere with thyroid replacement therapies.

Licorice can offset the pharmacological effect of spironolactone.

Numerous herbs (eg, karela and ginseng) may affect blood glucose levels and should not be used in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Ginseng and Ginkgo Biloba have opposed activity and should not be used together

PURPOSE :

It is the purpose of the Longevity Institute to further elaborate on the subject.

We will focus on the questions we may recieve from the visitors of this site.