Vitamin Vacations; When to Stop Taking your Vitamins
Posted: Wednesday, October 25, 2006
by Stephanie Sulger
Repowering Americans
Part of the work I do in the herbal industry is to investigate drug/herb interactions. With so many new medications coming on the market, especially when patents run out or the pharmaceutical companies tweak a molecule and call an old medication by a new name, it is a huge job!
During my investigations into herbs for www.medicine-plants.com from South and Central America I stumbled upon what is now called "medical tourism."
There are complex issues involved with anyone having surgery, whether it is in the USA or overseas. For me, drug/herb interactions are one of the major concerns.
Many people still think of the effects of herbs and plant alternatives to medications as only good and beneficial. But there are always two sides to a story and with herbs and supplements being mixed with conventional medicine and surgery there is an added risk for sure.
Below are some of the warnings Medical Tours International (www.medicaltoursinternational.com) uses in the information their clients receive before going overseas for a surgical procedure. If you are having surgery here or anywhere else in the world this information applies to you!
These warnings are not a complete list, but this list does contain information about the herbs and supplements most people are likely to be using.
Herbs and Natural Remedies that may cause problems at surgery: St. John's wort, Yohimbe, Licorice: these 3 remedies act as MAO inhibitors and can interact with Demerol (called pethidine overseas) or any other narcotic or narcotic analgesic (narcotic pain medications such as morphine.). Stop taking these remedies at least 10 days before your procedure.
Gingko: dilates blood vessels and can cause bleeding during a surgical procedure. Stop taking Gingko 7 days before your procedure.
Ginger, Garlic, Cayenne, Bilberry: inhibit the formation of platelets. Platelets affect bleeding and coagulation time (the time it takes your blood to clot). Stop using these 10 days before your procedure.
Melatonin: decreases the amount of anesthetic needed. Stop using this at least 10 days before your procedure.
Echinacea: can affect your liver during general anesthetic and can be harmful to immunosuppressed patients. It may interfere with healing and should be stopped several months before surgery.
Aloe: can cause dermatitis if applied to the skin or can lower potassium levels if eaten.
PC-SPES: has an estrogenic (estrogen) effect that may increase the risk of blood clots.
Ephedra: (ma huang): can have serious side effects like stroke and heart problems if combined with many common anesthetic medicines. It should be stopped at least 7 days before your procedure.
Ginseng: may slow blood clotting and cause low blood sugar levels in fasting patients. It should be stopped at least 10 days before your procedure.
Kava: increases the effects of anesthetics and may slow the recovery. It should be stopped at least 7 days before your procedure.
Valerian: increases the effects of anesthetics and may slow the recovery. Do not stop suddenly but gradually taper off for five weeks before your procedure and then stop completely 2 weeks before your procedure.
· Some herbal remedies, supplements and vitamins do not clearly describe their contents on the label. So no matter what you use, stop those 2 weeks before your procedure.
And here is some specific information about supplements that is being added to the above list:
Chondroitin
Possible Harmful Interaction
Based on chondroitin's chemical similarity to the anticoagulant drug heparin, it has been suggested that chondroitin might have anticoagulant effects as well. The American Society of Plastic Surgeon's released a recommendation that Chondroitin be stopped prior to surgery. Medical Tours International recommends 3 to 4 weeks.
Garlic
Possible Harmful Interaction
The herb garlic (Allium sativum) is taken to lower cholesterol, among many other proposed uses.
One of the possible side effects of garlic is an increased tendency to bleed. This blood-thinning effect has been demonstrated in a double-blind trial of garlic in 60 volunteers, as well as in other studies and a case report.
Vitamin E
Possible Harmful Interaction
On the basis that vitamin E "thins" the blood, it has been suggested to stop vitamin E at least 2 weeks before surgery. Vitamin E is found in many multivitamins so check your labels..always.
Ginger
Possible Harmful Interaction
The herb ginger (Zingiber officianale) is used for nausea associated with motion sickness, morning sickness in pregnancy, and the postsurgical period.
Ginger appears to thin the blood by interfering with the ability of blood platelets to clump together. As with feverfew, this raises the concern that ginger might increase the risk of abnormal bleeding. Ginger flavored drinks should not present a problem, but candies containing whole dried ginger are potentially of concern.
Chamomile
Possible Harmful Interaction The herb chamomile contains substances in the coumarin family. Some coumarins have blood thinning actions.
Stephanie Sulger RN,MS,CIPC
Health & Safety Specialist
www.medicine-plants.com
www.medicaltoursinternational.com
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