Medication Information

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Drug Interaction

Medication Information – Below is some information on Food – Drug and Herb–Drug interactions. If you have questions, please ask your doctor or
nurse.

In order to better manage your medications, download our medication diary to keep track of your medications and help provide your physician with correct and up-to-date information.

Food Drug Interactions

Type of Drug Relationship with Food

Anti – Coagulants

Do not take: Goldenseal, Co-Enzyme Q10, Ginkgo, Chondroitin, Ginger, Licorice

Warfarin
Be careful with Garlic Supplements
Coumadin
Ginseng may increase the effects of Warfarin or Coumadin

Avoid making sudden changes in the intake of foods high in Vitamin K & E

Limit Foods such as:

Asparagus
Canola Oil
Collard Greens
Garbanzos
Green Tea
Lettuce
Pork Liver
Spinach
Beef Liver
Cauliflower
Cucumber Peel
Green Beans
Mint
Romaine Lettuce
Swiss Chard
Broccoli
Chicken Liver
Egg Yolk
Green Peas
Green Tomato
Mustard Greens
Soybeans
Turnip Greens
Raw Green Cabbage
Endive
Green Onions
Kale
Parsley
Soybean Oil
Watercress

NSAIDs

Aspirin
Take with food
Motrin, Advil
Limit Alcohol
Anaprox, Aleve, Naprosyn
Do not take ginseng

Statins

Lipitor
Take Mevacor with the evening meal
Lescol
Avoid grapefruit/grapefruit juice
Mevacor
Limit alcohol
Pravachol
Zocor

Dilantin

Kapseals
Avoid alcohol
Infatab
Stop any tube feeding for two hours before and after the drug given

Tetracyclines

Achromycin
Take one hour before or two hours after eating
Sumycin
Avoid taking dairy products at the same time as the medication
Vibramycin
Minocin

Flagyl / Antabuse

Avoid alcohol for up to three days after completing the medication regimen

MAO Inhibitors

Do not take Ephedra
Nardil
Do not drink alcohol
Parnate
Do not use red wine products

Avoid the following foods:

Avocados
Caviar
Brie Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese
Game Meats
Miso Soup
Bananas
American Processed Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Ginkgo
Raisins
Sauerkraut
Broad (Habas) Beans
Cheddar Cheese
Beef and Chicken Liver
Ginseng
Yogurt
Caffeine-containing products
Blue Cheese
Cured Meats
Dried Fish
Sour Cream
Yeast Extracts

SOURCE: Knapp Medical Center Nutrition Services

Herb Uses and Drug Interactions

Herb	Uses	Relationship with Other Drugs
Coenzyme Q10	Heart Disease	Do not use with Warfarin or Coumadin
High blood pressure
Black Cohosh Menopause	Can increase the effects of high-blood pressure pills
Echinacea	Fights redness, heat, and pain in tissues	Avoid use if allergic to the daisy flower family
Fights Viruses	May depress the immune system
Euphedra	The health of the Central nervous system Helps with breathing	Not advisable with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, glaucoma, thyroid disease, and large prostate problems Do not take with Nardil or Parnate Do not take large amounts – death is possible
Garlic	Lowers fat	Do not use with stomach ulcers or heartburn
Ginkgo	Protects nerves and breakdown of tissues Circulation problems	Do not use with Nardil or Parnate Decreases clotting of blood cells
Ginseng	Lowers Cholesterol	May cause sleepiness
Lowers Blood Sugar	Do not use with high blood pressure, heart disorders, high blood sugars, steroids, and female hormone therapy
Smoothes the skin	Do not take with Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprosyn, Orudis, Relafen, Nardil or Parnate
Prevents Sleepiness
Glucosamine Sulfate	Fights redness, heat, and pain in the tissues Decreases pain for arthritis	May cause problems with making insulin May cause lung problems
Goldenseal	Fights infections	Large doses can be poisonous – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, nervousness, high blood pressure, seizures, paralysis, and death
Chondroitin	Decrease pain for arthritis	Careful with Warfarin or Coumadin
Kava Kava	Relaxes Muscles	Causes skin to turn yellow or form a dry rash
Decreases Pain	Causes muscle weakness
Decreases anxiety	Do not use with depression pills, barbiturates (barbies), Levodopa, and Xanax
Promotes Sleepiness
St. Johns Wart	Fights Mild Depression Promotes Sleepiness Fights Viruses Fights redness, heat, and pain in the tissues	Do not take it with other depression pills Do not take pills that fight viruses Do not take with Cyclosporine
Saw Palmetto	Fights bacteria in the urine	May cause headaches
Helps eliminate extra water in the body Fights redness, heat, and pain in the tissues Decreases male hormones	Large amounts can cause diarrhea
Valerian	Relaxes and helps with sleep	May increase the side effects of sedating pills
SAMe Decreases pain from arthritis Fights liver disease	Fights mild depression	Do not use with Bipolar disorders
Ginger	Decreases stomach problems Fights redness, heat, and pain in the tissues Decreases clotting of cells	May cause bleeding with Warfarin or Coumadin
Licorice	Stomach Ulcers	Do not take Warfarin or Coumadin
Chronic liver disease	May increase blood pressure