Herb-Drug Interactions: What Every Patient Needs to Know

By John Chen, PhD, PharmD, OMD, LAc

The first and most important thing to understand about herb-drug interactions is communication. It is important that patients tell their health care practitioners what herbs and drugs they are currently taking so that practitioners can provide comprehensive care.

There are two fundamental mechanisms that contribute to interactions: pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic. Pharmacokinetic interactions refer to changes that occur as medicines move in and out of the body, such as with absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination. Pharmacodynamic interactions refer to how medicines actually behave inside the human body, as they can sometimes increase or cancel out the effectiveness of one another.

Absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination are four cycles that all medicines go through in the body. After a medicine is taken, it is absorbed from the intestines, distributed throughout the body, metabolized (broken down) in the liver, and finally, eliminated from the body through the kidneys.

Many factors may interrupt these cycles, leading to interactions. For example, ingestion of an antacid or anti-ulcer medication will reduce the acidity of the stomach, therefore decreasing the absorption of other medications and herbs. In addition, some drugs may interfere with blood circulation and affect the distribution of medicines or herbs to the affected parts of the body. Finally, some drugs may be harmful to the liver or kidneys, impairing the ability of the body to break down and eliminate the medicines or herbs. The extent and severity of each interaction will vary depending on specific circumstances such as dosage, sensitivity, metabolic rate, and the type of drugs and herbs taken.

Certain medicines have the same or opposite effects and, when taken together, may increase or cancel out the effect of each other. For example, a person taking coumadin (warfarin) to treat a clotting disorder should not take other substances that affect the blood, such as aspirin or ginkgo. Concurrent use of these medications may increase the effect of each other, leading to side-effects such as bleeding or bruising. Furthermore, a person with high blood pressure treated with drugs should not take any supplements that have a stimulant effect, such as ephedra, without supervision. Use of stimulants may increase the blood pressure, thereby canceling the effect of the drug treatment.

In short, drug-drug or drug-herb interactions occur as a result of inappropriate combinations. If a patient notices anything normal, he/she should contact their healthcare practitioner immediately. When detected early, most interactions can be stopped immediately. Interactions can be prevented simply by adjusting the dosage; changing the dosing schedule; or modifying the therapy. Once again, it is important that healthcare practitioners know exactly which drugs/herbs/supplements their patients are taking so that they can provide a comprehensive evaluation.

The following table lists some drugs that are more likely to cause interactions. Patients should make sure to inform their healthcare practitioners if they are taking any of these medications and ask if the herbs and/or supplements they are taking are compatible with the drugs they are taking. Remember: communication is the key to comprehensive care!

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