Product Description

Know the Side Effects and Protect Your Health

If 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 INTERACTIONS

Find 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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #211402 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-28
• Released on: 2006-02-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780307336644
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

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

About the Author
Steve Austin, N.D., is a licensed naturopathic physician and Professor of Nutrition at National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon.

Alan R. Gaby, M.D., an expert in nutritional therapies and the current endowed professor of nutrition at Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, is the author of several books, including The Doctor's Guide to Vitamin B6 and Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

Donald J. Brown, N.D., is a phytotherapy specialist, the founder and director of Natural Product Research Consultants Inc., and has served as an adviser to the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
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 citrus plants has been shown to enhance the antiviral activity of acyclovir. Further research is needed to determine whether taking citrus root bark would increase the effectiveness of acyclovir i...

Customer Reviews

Good but not great.
There's a lot of good information in this book but I would not recommend it as a reference.

First of all, it isn't totable: it's format makes it a clunker. It's 8 1/2 by 11" and its page format is such that the book could have been printed with half the paper. The added appendices are pretty useless considering the main A to Z section entries pretty much tell you exactly the same thing.

Second of all, the formatting is inconsistent; adding question to your inquiry. Did they make this entry as complete as they did that one?

I very much prefer Meletis/Jacobs' and Brinker's books to this one. For intuitiveness and extensive cross-referencing, Meletis/Jacobs' wins hands down.

A "Must Have" Reference for Patients and Doctors.
The editors and authors of this HealthNotes publication have presented the most up-to-date information in an easy to read format without compromising scientific judgement. In the information world of alternative medicine, it is all to easy for conventional medical texts to react out of fear by recommending "extreme caution" for just about any prescription or possible nutrient/herbal interaction. "The A-Z Guide..." does a tremendous job of integrating insights of physicians form several different disciplines (the book is written by an MD, ND, and DC, et. al.), which provides the reader with a diverse and thorough scientific review of known and suspected interactions. I have personally found this book extremely helpful in the waiting room and on my desk as a quick refernce.

A Book for Today's Health Consumer
The authors of this book have made a significant contribution to the resources available for today's health consumer. By providing this current, well-organized and useful "guide" they are helping those of us trying to protect or improve our own health, and those of us facilitating others in doing that, tremendously! Their research is thorough and and unbiased - I highly recommend it.