Vasotec

consumers are increasingly taking herbal supplements as an alternative treatment for their disease. It is estimated that over 15 million people in the United States consume herbs or vitamins in large doses, and the total number of visits to providers of complementary medicine goes far beyond those of primary care physicians.

The lack of efficacy and side effects associated with prescription drugs lead patients to explore the medicinal plants. Use of medicinal plants, however, are not without risks. Although most of these medicinal plants have good safety profile, some herbs have not been shown to be effective. Some have even interact with Western drugs, with fatal consequences. (Table 1)

The aim of this paper is to provide patients with cardiovascular recent uses of medicinal plants commonly used and potential interactions of these herbal medicines with prescription drugs. Patients are requested to inform their primary care physician and specialists of their herbal supplements they take and to limit the use of herbs for a shorter period.

A) Aconite

Uses

Chinese traditional healers use of aconite to relieve pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia, and intercostal rheumatism, headaches, and general debilitation.

drug interactions

Long term use may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation or ventricular.

) Black Cohosh B

Uses

Black cohosh has been used for relief of menopausal symptoms, premenstrual tension and other gynecological problems.

drug interactions

Black cohosh should not be used with estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), because the combination of black cohosh and ERT has been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular events and breast cancer. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid taking black cohosh.

C) Danshen

Uses

Danshen is used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of coronary artery disease and menstrual disorders.

drug interactions

Danshen reduces the elimination of warfarin and increases the risk of bleeding associated with warfarin. It also interferes with digoxin test.

D) Echinacae

Uses

Echinacae is used to strengthen the immune system to prevent infection. Side effects include nausea Echinacae, dizziness, dyspnea, rash, dermatitis.

drug interactions

Long term use may increase liver toxicity of other drugs (eg, statins (Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor), fibrates (Bezalip, Lopid and Tricor), niacin (Niaspan) or amiodarone (codarone) ).

E) Ginseng

Uses

Ginseng is touted as an immune system stimulant that increases strength, sexual potency and longevity. It is also used to treat myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure (CHF), angina pectoris and hyperglycemia in diabetic patients.

drug interactions

Concomitant use of ginseng and warfarin increases the bleeding time, while the use of ginseng and digoxin increases the level of digoxin. Pregnant women or women receiving hormone replacement therapy is recommended not to use ginseng for ginseng contains ingredients similar to estrogen. In addition, prolonged use of ginseng could lead to a reduced response to diuretics.

F) Ginkgo

Uses

Ginkgo is used for cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular insufficiency, the importance of inner ear dysfunction, retinopathy, pre-menstrual syndrome, stress, depression and dementia.

drug interactions

The concomitant use of ginkgo with anti-platelet (aspirin, Plavix, Effient, Aggrrastat and ReoPro), anticoagulant (warfarin) and antithrombotic (Streptase) increases the risk.