date: 8/1/2007
Herbs risky before surgery
Are you taking herbal remedies to supplement more traditional medications? ConsumerReportsHealth.org tells you about herbs that interact with drugs in ways you wouldn't expect, and provides the facts on dangerous interactions.
Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out how herbs can reduce the effectiveness of medication, increase side effects, and cause potentially dangerous increases in drug potency.
If you take herbal remedies, stop taking them at least one week before you undergo surgery. Many of the popular herbal products can trigger problems during or after an operation and delay recovery time.
If you're facing surgery, make a list of all the medications, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you have taken in the month before the operation, including the daily doses, and show it to both your surgeon and anesthesiologist. The table below shows the surgical problems that popular herbal products can cause.
If you're facing surgery, make a list of all the medications, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you have taken in the month before the operation, including the daily doses, and show it to both your surgeon and anesthesiologist. The table below shows the surgical problems that popular herbal products can cause.
| Herb | "During or after surgery, it can..." |
|---|---|
| Echinacea | Worsen inflammation and interfere with immune-suppressing drugs. |
| Feverfew Garlic Ginger Ginkgo Ginseng |
Increase bleeding and the effect of anticlotting drugs. |
| Ginseng | Raise blood pressure. |
| Goldenseal Licorice |
Increase swelling or raise blood pressure. |
| Kava Valerian |
Prolong sedative effects of certain anesthetics. |
| St. John's wort | Interfere with steroids as well as anticlotting and immune-suppressing drugs. It can also prolong sedative effects of certain anesthetics. |
This article first appeared in the July 2007 issue of Consumer Reports on Health.
This site is for your information only. For medical advice, consult a health professional.
