 |
Medicine Interactions
Using Medicines with Vitamins and Herbs
This information is not intended to replace information supplied by a doctor or pharmacist; neither is it intended to replace package inserts or other printed material that may be available or accompany a particular drug.
Click here to search for common prescription and over-the-counter & supplement interactions
Body chemistry
Your body functions because millions of chemical reactions are constantly going on inside you. Everything that you eat and drink influences those reactions, including foods, beverages, and drugs.
Using drugs to treat illness
Drugs are manufactured to help correct the body’s chemistry when irregularities are caused by illness or genetic makeup.
When the body isn’t working properly, drugs can often replace a chemical that is missing, block an unwanted reaction, or enhance a desired reaction. In the process, a drug may also cause the body to lose or need more of important nutrients, such as potassium, sodium, calcium, or some vitamins.
Sometimes, taking an herb or nutrient with a drug can cause an unhealthy or harmful reaction. Other times, an herb or nutrient might actually improve the action of a drug. Some herbs or nutrients, when taken at the same time as a drug, might reduce the amount of medication absorbed into the body, reducing its effectiveness. (This can often be avoided by taking the drug and the herb or nutrient at different times.)
Side effects
All drugs have the potential to cause unwanted symptoms, or side effects. Some herbs or nutrients, when taken with a drug, might help to prevent the side effects or make them less severe.
Depletions
Depletion happens when a drug “depletes” or causes the body to lose a nutrient. The drug might also interfere with the nutrient’s absorption.
A good example of a drug that depletes nutrients from the body is the diuretic furosemide. Furosemide causes the body to lose potassium, so people taking furosemide might need to supplement with potassium to avoid unwanted problems such as muscle cramps, fatigue, or heart-rhythm disturbances.
Interactions
Interactions happen when a nutrient affects the way a drug works, or when a drug affects the way a nutrient works. Interactions can be beneficial or harmful.
An example of a good result of an interaction might be when a person taking the drug fluoxetine (Prozac) also takes the nutrient folic acid. This combination might increase the drug’s effectiveness.
An example of a bad result of an interaction might be a person taking the herb St. John’s wort while taking the drug digoxin (Lanoxin). In this situation, the herb might reduce the absorption of the drug, which would result in lower-than-necessary blood levels of the drug.
Using Medicines with Vitamins and Herbs (Rx Answers/Medicine Answers)
Healthnotes provides depletion and interaction information for drugs, nutritional supplements, herbs, and foods. All medications are indexed alphabetically both by their generic and brand names.
Within each drug article you will find a summary listing the interacting supplements, herbs, and foods in one or more of the following six categories:
|
May Be Beneficial | |
 |
Depletion or interference—The medication may deplete or interfere with the absorption or function of the nutrient. Taking these nutrients may help replenish them. |
|
Side effect reduction/prevention—Taking these supplements may help reduce the likelihood and/or severity of a potential side effect caused by the medication. |
|
Supportive interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication work better. |
|
Avoid | |
 |
Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results. |
|
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication since the supplement may decrease the absorption and/or activity of the medication in the body. |
|
Explanation Required | |
|
Other—Before taking any of these supplements or eating any of these foods with your medication, read the drug article in full for details. | |