PDR for Herbal Medicines

1-17

Drug/Herb Interactions Guide

This section catalogs potentially adverse drug/herb combinations by both the generic name of

the drug or drug category and the accepted common name of the herb. Under each bold-face

drug entry you '11 find a list of the herbs with which the agent may interact. Likewise, under a

bold-face herb entry you '11 find a list of potentially interactive drugs. A description of the

interaction's effect follows each item in the list. Further information on each drug can be found

in Physicians' Desk Reference®. Information on each herb appears in the Herbal Monographs

section of this book.

ADONIS

Calcium

(Increases action of Adonis)

Digoxin

(Increases action of Adonis)

Glucocorticoids

(Increases action of Adonis)

Laxatives

(Increases action of Adonis)

Quinidine

(Increases action of Adonis)

Saluretics

(Increases action of Adonis)

ADONIS VERNAL/S

{See under Adonis)

AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM

{See under Horse Chestnut)

ALCOHOL
German Chamomile
(May increase sedative effect)
Rauwolfia
(Increases impairment of motor
skills)
Valerian
(Additive depressive effects with
Valerian)
White Willow
(Enhances toxicity of salicylates)

ALKALINE DRUGS

Green Tea

(Decreased absorption of alkaline

drugs due to tannin component in

tea)

Oak

(Absorption of alkaline drugs may

be reduced or inhibited)

ALKALOIDS

Oak

(Absorption of alkaloids may be

reduced or inhibited)

ALOE

Antiarrhythmics

(Aloe-induced hypokalemia may

affect cardiac rhythm)

Cardiac Glycosides

(Increases effect of cardiac

glycosides)

Corticosteroids

(Increased potassium loss)

Licorice

(Increased potassium loss)

Thiazide Diuretics

(Increased potassium loss)

ALOE BARBADENSIS

{See under Aloe)

ALOE CAPENSIS

{See under Aloe)

ALOE VERA

{See under Aloe)

ALPHA ADRENERGIC BLOCKERS

Saw Palmetto

(Saw Palmetto has an additive

alpha adrenergic blocking effect

when given in combination with

alpha blockers)

ALPINE CRANBERRY

Medication and Food that Increase

Uric Acid Levels

(Decreases effect of Alpine

Cranberry)

AMANTADINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Belladonna

(Increases anticholinergic effect of

herb)

Henbane

(Increased anticholinergic action)

Scopolia

(Increased effect when given

simultaneously with herb)

ANDROGENS

Saw Palmetto

(Saw Palmetto antagonizes the

effect of androgens)

ANTIARRHYTHMICS

Aloe

(Aloe-induced hypokalemia may

affect cardiac rhythm)