Herbal Interactions with Blood Thinning Medications

Herbal Interactions with Blood Thinning Medications

01/11/05

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute will convene a conference this week to evaluate the risks of interactions between dietary supplements and prescription blood-thinning medications which are used by four million Americans to ward off heart attack or stroke. Experts from the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration will join academic, patient advocacy and industry representatives to assess current knowledge, identify strategies for clinical guidelines, and determine opportunities for further research.

"With up to 52 percent of the U.S. population reporting dietary supplement use, it is important that we fully understand how these substances can affect widely-used drugs, such as warfarin and aspirin," said NHLBI Acting Director Barbara Alving, M.D.

To date, there have been few systematic examinations of the effects of dietary supplements when taken with prescribed anti-thrombotic (anti-coagulant or anti-platelet) therapies. According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, approximately 180 dietary supplements have the potential to interact with warfarin, a common blood thinner, and more than 120 may interact with aspirin, and other anti-platelet agents such as clopidogrel, ticlopidine, and dipyridamole. Dietary supplements include herbal remedies, vitamins, minerals, other botanical products, fibers, amino acids, proteins, organ tissues, and metabolites for digestion.

Known interactions with prescribed anti-coagulants and their effects include:

Anise and Dong Quai have anti-coagulant effects

Omega 3-fatty acids in fish oil, ajoene in garlic

ginger, Ginkgo, and vitamin E have anti-platelet properties

Fucus and Danshen can have a heparin-like blood thinning effect

St. John's Wort and American Ginseng alter drug metabolism

Other supplements, such as high dose vitamin E, Alfalfa, and Coenzyme Q10 may affect blood clotting

"We plan to obtain a variety of perspectives on this issue so that we have a better understanding of managing patients' drug regimens," said Ahmed Hasan, M.D., Ph.D., medical officer with NHLBI's Division of Blood Diseases and Resources. "It is important to increase our knowledge on this issue so that we may better inform and educate our patients," he added.

Our commitment to health education is paramount. Medicine Plants feels that personal responsibility for education is the key to maintaining optimal health and reducing the rising costs of health care.

To read more about Herb/Drug/Vitamin Interactions click here: Herb/Drug/Vitamin Interactions and Information

Be well always,
Medicine Plants™

Health Disclaimer! The information presented on this site should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. You should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to your health and well-being. The information and opinions provided here are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the authors, but readers who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

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