Publisher Description

For the millions of Americans who take prescription and over-the-counter drugs as well as vitamins or natural medicine. For consumers and health practitioners seeking reliable, accurate information on drug/supplement interactions, and for Healthnotes readers who need an updated reference.Know the Side Effects and Protect Your HealthIf you're among the millions of people taking prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as vitamins and natural medicines, you need to know which combinations are potentially helpful and which can be extremely dangerous. The A-Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions is an essential resource to understanding the interactions that may affect your health.From the experts at Healthnotes, this revised and updated edition contains the newest information on thousands of drugs and supplements, based on studies published in the leading medical journals. Reliable and easy to use, this book is sure to become a trusted reference in your home.MORE THAN 18,000 DRUG-HERB-VITAMIN INTERACTIONSFind out about-. Drugs that can deplete your body's nutrients. Supplements that can interfere with drug absorption. Side effects of common drug-herb-vitamin combinations. Supplements that can help your prescriptions work better. Combinations that should never be taken together. With a foreword by Dr. Bob Arnot

Author Biography

An expert in nutritional therapies, Healthnotes chief medical editor Alan R. Gaby is a former president of the American Holistic Medical Association. Dr. Gaby has conducted nutritional seminars for physicians and has collected over 30,000 scientific papers related to the field of nutritional and natural medicine. He has authored five books and oversees theHealthnotes, Inc., writing team, comprising experts from the fields of medicine, pharmacy, nursing, naturopathy, public health, and chiropractic. Combing through more than 550 journals on a regular basis, the team prides itself on providing completely up-to-date, balanced, and objective information.Editor in chief Schuyler W. Lininger Jr. is the CEO of Healthnotes, Inc. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Healthnotes is the premier provider of reliable, easy-to-use health, food, and lifestyle information for web sites and interactive touch-screen kiosks. Its electronic kiosks are found in 6,500 pharmacies, supermarkets, and natural food stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Healthnotesalso generates Web applications that are licensed to e-commerce and health-related Internet sites, as well as reference tools for physicians and health-care professionals.

Review

"This comprehensive review of drug-nutrient interactions—by far the most exhaustive of its kind—is an invaluable tool for consumers and professionals, integrating the worlds of conventional and alternative medicine."—Julian Whitaker, M.D., editor of Health & Healing newsletter

"An essential resource."—Joe Graedon, M.S., author of The People's Pharmacy

Review Quote

"This comprehensive review of drug-nutrient interactions-by far the most exhaustive of its kind-is an invaluable tool for consumers and professionals, integrating the worlds of conventional and alternative medicine."-Julian Whitaker, M.D., editor ofHealth & Healingnewsletter "An essential resource."-Joe Graedon, M.S., author ofThe People's Pharmacy

Excerpt from Book

Part 1 Interactions by Drug Some interactions may increase the need for the herb, other interactions may be negative and indicate the herb should not be taken without first speaking with your physician or pharmacist. Others may require further explanation. An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence. Refer to the individual drug entry for specific details about an interaction. The following list only includes the generic or class name of a medicine--to find a specific brand name, use the index. Accuretic Contains the following ingredients: Hydrochlorothiazide (page 000) Quinapril (page 000) Acebutolol Common names: Sectral Combination drug: Secradex Acebutolol is used to treat high blood pressure and certain forms of heart arrhythmia, and is in a family of drugs known as beta-adrenergic blockers (page 000). Summary of Interactions for Acebutolol In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized interactions. Avoid: Reduced drug absorption bioavailabilityFood Avoid: Adverse interactionHigh-potassium foods* Pleurisy root* Potassium supplements* Depletion or interferenceNone known Side effect reduction/preventionNone known Supportive interactionNone known Interactions with Dietary Supplements Potassium Some beta-adrenergic blockers (called "nonselective" beta blockers) decrease the uptake of potassium from the blood into the cells, leading to excess potassium in the blood, a potentially dangerous condition known as hyperkalemia. People taking beta-blockers should therefore avoid taking potassium supplements, or eating large quantities of fruit (e.g., bananas), unless directed to do so by their doctor. Interactions with Herbs Pleurisy root As pleurisy root and other plants in the Aesclepius genus contain cardiac glycosides, it is best to avoid use of pleurisy root with heart medications such as beta-blockers. Interaction with Foods and Other Compounds Taking acebutolol with food slows the rate of absorption and reduces the maximum blood levels of the drug, though overall absorption is not affected. However, the blood level of an active breakdown product of acebutolol is reduced. Though the activity of acebutolol is affected by food, people taking the drug on a daily basis are not likely to experience a reduction in the effectiveness of the drug if it is taken with a meal. Acetaminophen Common names: 222 AF, Abenol, Acetab, Acet, Alisphene Forte, Alvedon, Anadin Paracetamol, APAP, Apo-Acetaminophen, Artritol, Atasol, Boots Children''s Pain Relief Syrup, Boots Cold Relief Hot Blackcurrant, Boots Cold Relief Hot Lemon, Boots Infant Pain Relief, Calpol 6 Plus, Calpol Infant, Calpol Pediatric, Calpol, Cephanol, Children''s Acetaminophen, Children''s Feverhalt, Cupanol Over 6, Cupanol Under 6, Disprol, Dom-Acetaminophen, Fanalgic, Fennings Children''s Cooling Powders, Hill''s Balsam Flu Strength Hot Lemon Powders, Infadrops, Lem-Plus Powders, Medinol, Novogesic, Pain Aid Free, Paldesic, Panaleve 6+, Panaleve Junior, Pandol, Panodol Baby and Infant, Paracetamol, Paracets, Paraclear, Paramin, Pediatrix, PMS Acetaminophen, Resolve, Robigesic Elixir, Rounox, Salzone, Tantaphen, Tempra, Tixymol, Tramil 500, Trianon, Tylenol, WestCan Extra Strength Acetaminophen, WestCan Regular Strength Acetaminophen Combination drugs: Alka-Seltzer Plus, Co-Proxamol, Coalgesic, Darvocet N, Distalgesic, Endocet, Excedrin PM, Fioricet, Lortab, Midrin, Nyquil, Nyquil Hot Therapy Powder, Percocet, Phrenilin, Propacet 100, Roxicet, Theraflu, Tylenol Allergy Sinus, Tylenol Cold, Tylenol Flu NightTime Maximum Strength Powder, Tylenol Multi-Symptom Hot Medication, Tylenol PM, Tylenol Sinus, Tylenol with Codeine, Vicodin, Wygesic Acetaminophen is used to reduce pain and fever. Unlike NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) (page 000), it lacks anti-inflammatory activity. Acetaminophen is available by itself or in nonprescription and prescription-only combination products used to relieve pain and the symptoms associated with colds and flu. Summary of Interactions for Acetaminophen In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized interactions. May be Beneficial: Side effect reduction/preventionMilk thistle* N-acetyl cysteine May be Beneficial: Supportive interactionVitamin C* Avoid: Reduced drug absorption/bioavailabilityHibiscus Check: OtherSchisandra Depletion or interferenceNone known Adverse interactionNone known Interactions with Dietary Supplements N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) Hospitals use oral and intravenous N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) to treat liver damage induced by acetaminophen overdose poisoning. NAC is often administered intravenously by emergency room doctors. Oral NAC appears to be effective for acetaminophen toxicity. An uncontrolled trial compared intravenous NAC with oral NAC in children with acetaminophen poisoning and found that both methods were equally effective in reversing acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity. However, acetaminophen toxicity is a potential medical emergency, and should only be managed by qualified healthcare professionals. Vitamin C Taking 3 grams vitamin C with acetaminophen has been shown to prolong the amount of time acetaminophen stays in the body. This theoretically might allow people to use less acetaminophen, thereby reducing the risk of side effects. Consult with a doctor about this potential before reducing the amount of acetaminophen. Interactions with Herbs Hibiscus One small study found that hibiscus could decrease levels of acetaminophen if the drug was taken after the tea was consumed though it was not entirely clear if the decreases were clinically significant. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) Silymarin is a collection of complex flavonoids found in milk thistle that has been shown to elevate liver glutathione levels in rats. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage, which is believed to involve glutathione depletion. In one study involving rats, silymarin protected against acetaminophen-induced glutathione depletion. While studies to confirm this action in humans have not been conducted, some doctors recommend silymarin supplementation with 200 mg milk thistle extract, containing 70-80% silymarin, three times per day for people taking acetaminophen in large amounts for more than one year and/or with other risk factors for liver problems. Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) Gomisin A is a constituent found in the Chinese herb schisandra. In a study of rats given liver-damaging amounts of acetaminophen, gomisin A appeared to protect against some liver damage but did not prevent glutathione depletion (unlike milk thistle, as reported above). Studies have not yet confirmed this action in humans. Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds Food Food, especially foods high in pectin (including jellies), carbohydrates, and large amounts of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and others) can interfere with acetaminophen absorption. It is unclear how much effect this interaction has on acetaminophen activity. Alcohol Moderate to high amounts of acetaminophen have caused liver damage in people with alcoholism.10 To prevent problems, people taking acetaminophen should avoid alcohol. Acezide Contains the following ingredients: Captopril (page 000) Hydrochlorothiazide (page 000) Actonorm Gel Contains the following ingredients: Aluminium Dimethicone Magnesium Peppermint oil Acyclovir Oral Common names: Virovir, Zovirax Oral Acyclovir is an antiviral drug used to treat shingles, genital herpes, and chickenpox. Summary of Interactions for Acyclovir Oral In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized interactions. May be Beneficial: Supportive interactionCitrus root bark* Flavonoids* Geum japonicum* Rhus javanica* Syzygium aromaticum* Terminalia chebula* Tripterygium wilfordii* Depletion or interferenceNone known Side effect reduction/preventionNone known Reduced drug absorption/bioavailabilityNone known Adverse interactionNone known Interactions with Dietary Supplements Flavonoids The flavonoids quercetin, quercitrin, and apigenin enhanced the antiviral activity of acyclovir in test tube studies. Controlled research is needed to determine whether taking quercetin or other flavonoid supplements would increase the effectiveness of acyclovir in humans. Interactions with Herbs Citrus species The alkaloid citrusinine-1 from the root bark of c

Details