Supplement – Drug Interactions (Part 4):

Omega -3 Fatty Acids – Drug Interactions:

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vOral contraceptives might interfere with the triglyceride-lowering effects of Omega-3 fatty acid supplements.

vOmega-3 fatty acids can increase the effects of Antihypertensives and may lower blood pressure too much.

vOrlistat might prevent the absorption of Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

vThe risk of bleeding might be elevated by concomitant use of Omega-3 fatty acids and Anticoagulant or Antiplatelet drugs.

vOmega-3 fatty acid supplements may increase fasting blood sugar levels and interfere with the effectiveness of Antidiabetics.

vConsumers should consult with the doctor, pharmacist, or dietitian to know about the safety of a supplement or herb.

vDietary supplements are not drugs and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases.

Supplement – Drug Interactions (Part 3):

Herb – Drug Interactions:

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Ø The herbs like Alfalfa, Aloe vera, Cinnamon, Ephedra, Evening primrose, Garlic, Gingko, Ginseng, Green Tea, Kava, Licorice and St.John’s Wort can interact with various medicines.

Ø The effectiveness of Warfarin, Oral contraceptives and Immunosuppressants might be decreased by the co administration of Alfalfa.

Ø Aloe gel can increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used along with antidiabetic drugs.

Ø Cinnamon can increase the risk of hepatotoxicity while administering along with drugs like Acetaminophen, Amiodarone, Carbamazepine, Isoniazid, Methotrexate, Methyldopa, Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Erythromycin, Phenytoin, Lovastatin, Pravastatin, Simvastatin, and many others. Cinnamon can also increase the risk of hypoglycemia when it is administered with antidiabetic drugs.

Ø Ephedra can increase the risk of cardiac side effects of QT prolonging drugs. The heart rate and blood pressure might be elevated by the concomitant use of Ephedra and Methylxanthines, Stimulant drugs, Ergot alkaloids or MAO inhibitors.

Ø The risk of bleeding is increased by taking Evening Primrose oil along with Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs. Taking evening primrose oil with phenothiazines might increase the risk of having a seizure in some people.

Ø Garlic may decrease the effectiveness of Isoniazid (INH), Antivirals, Oral Contraceptives and CYP3A4 Substrates.

Ø Ginger may increase the chances of bruising and bleeding when it is concomitantly used with Anticoagulant or Antiplatelet drugs. Ginger might decrease the blood sugar and hence it may increase the risk of hypoglycemia by interacting with antidiabetics. The risk of hypotension may be elevated by the combination of Ginger and CCBs.

Ø Gingko might change the effectiveness of Antidiabetics. The risk of bleeding might be increased by the concomitant use of Gingko and Anticoagulant or Antiplatelet drugs.

Ø The risk of hypoglycemia might be increased by the combined use of Ginseng and antidiabetics. Ginseng may increase the risk of bleeding when it is co administered with Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs.

Ø Green Tea might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding when it is used along with Anticoagulant or Antiplatelet drugs. The side effects of caffeine might increased by the concomitant use of Green Tea and Oral Contraceptives or Quinolone antibiotics.

Ø Kava might decrease metabolism of substrates of CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4.

Ø Licorice might increase the metabolism of warfarin and decrease its effectiveness leading to increased risk of clotting. The risk of hypokalemia might be increased by the combination of Licorice and Digoxin, Furosemide, Thiazides or Ethacrynic acid.

Ø Senna may increase the risk of hypokalemia when it is used along with Digoxin or Diuretics.

Ø St. John's wort might decrease the effectiveness of substrates of CYP2C19, CYP3A4 and P-Glycoprotein.

Ø Yohimbe might interact with Clonidine, Guanabenz and Antihypertensives and reduce their effectiveness.

Ø Consumers should consult with the doctor, pharmacist, or dietitian to know about the safety of a supplement or herb.

Ø Dietary supplements are not drugs and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases.

Supplement – Drug Interactions (Part 2):

Mineral – Drug Interactions:

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§  Minerals are one of the common types of dietary supplements and some of them can interact with prescription or OTC medicines and decrease the therapeutic efficacy or increase the toxicity of medicines.

§  The macro minerals like Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium and micro minerals such as Chromium, Iron, Selenium and Zinc are involved in some drug interactions.

§  Calcium may reduce the absorption of certain Antibiotics (Tetracyclines and Fluoroquinolones), Levothyroxine and Bisphosphonates leading to reduced therapeutic efficacy.

§  The risk of hyperkalemia might be elevated by the concomitant use of Potassium supplements and other drugs such as ACEIs / ARBs, Potassium sparing Diuretics, Digoxin and Indomethacin.

§  Magnesium supplements can decrease the absorption of oral Bisphosphonates, Tetracyclines and Fluoroquinolones. Magnesium can increase the risk of muscle related side effects of Aminoglycosides and Muscle relaxants.

§  Concomitant use of Chromium and Insulin might increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Chromium may reduce the absorption of levothyroxine.

§  Iron supplements can decrease the absorption of Levodopa, oral Bisphosphonates, Fluoroquinolones and Tetracyclines.

§  Taking Selenium along with Anticoagulants or Antiplatelets might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. The effectiveness of Statins and Niacin might be decreased by Selenium.

§  Zinc dietary supplements can reduce absorption of Tetracyclines, Fluoroquinolones and Penicillamine.

§  Consumers should consult with the doctor, pharmacist or dietitian to know about the safety of a supplement or herb.

§  Dietary supplements are not drugs and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases.

Supplement – Drug Interactions (Part 1):

Vitamin – Drug Interactions:

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©  Dietary supplements are not drugs and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases.

©  Vitamins are one of the common types of dietary supplements and some of them can interact with prescription or OTC medicines.

©  The interaction between vitamins and drugs may result into decreased therapeutic efficacy or increased toxicity of medicines.

©  Vitamins such as B3, B6, Folic acid, C, A, E and K can interact with some of the medicines which may lead to unwanted effects.

©  Vitamin B3 may interact with drugs such as Antidiabetics, Statins, Antigout drugs and Alcohol.

©  The effects of Phenytoin, Levodopa and Cycloserine might be altered by the concomitant use of Vitamin B6.

©  Folic acid may interrupt the effects of Methotrexate and Antiepileptics.

©  Chemotherapy or Radiation therapy might be disturbed by the coadministration of Vitamin C.

©  Hypervitaminosis A may occur due to concomitant use of Vitamin A and Retinoids (Isotretinoin or Acitretin).

©  Vitamin E can interact with Anticoagulants / Antiplatelets, Chemotherapy / Radiation therapy or Statins / Niacin.

©  Vitamin K can oppose the anticoagulant activity of Warfarin.

©  Consumers should consult with the doctor, pharmacist, or dietitian to know about the safety of a supplement or herb.