A new British study found that more than a million people over 65 in the UK are endangering their health due to the fact that taking herbal remedies and nutritional supplements along with medications prescribed by doctors.
Some of these dangerous combinations can increase the risk of bleeding, raise the blood sugar levels or interfere with the action of prescribed drugs.
Scientists emphasize that statins (drugs against atherosclerosis), drugs against diabetes and hyperacidity of the stomach can cause negative effects when interacting with popular supplements.
Herbal remedies, as preparations based on St. John’s wort, certain dietary supplements, including fish oil and calcium pills, take millions of people in connection with their alleged health benefits. But doctors say elderly patients taking conventional medicines, unwittingly expose themselves to danger if at the same time use alternative methods of treatment.
Researchers from the University of Hertfordshire (University of Hertfordshire) interviewed 149 patients older than 65 years who took at least one prescribed medicine by doctors. Almost half of female respondents and 22% of men stated that regularly use herbal remedies or nutritional supplements. The patients who received treatment for hypertension, type 2 diabetes and excessive activity of the thyroid gland, took from one to 18 prescribed medications.
Scientists have discovered six combinations that either represent a significant dangerous or potentially dangerous.
According to the researchers, people with high blood pressure taking St. John’s wort, which is considered a natural sedative, significantly reduce the effectiveness of vital statins.
Similarly, fish oil with omega-3 fatty acids, which is believed, enhances brain function and prevents heart disease, can be dangerous when it is used together with beta-blockers because it inhibits the action of these drugs and may excessively lower blood pressure.
A study published in the British Journal of GPs, says doctors should ask patients about use of herbal drugs and dietary supplements.
Examples of dangerous combinations:
- St. John’s wort and amlodipine (medicines for high blood pressure) reduces the efficiency of amlodipine.
- Pills peppermint oil and lansoprazole (a drug for reducing stomach acidity) can be nausea and heartburn.
- Supplementation with calcium and levothyroxine (replacement thyroid hormone) – reduces the effectiveness of the medication.
- Fish and bisoprolol (a beta-blocker for hypertension) – blood pressure can excessively decrease.
- Glucosamine (nutritional Supplement for arthritis) and Metformin (controls the blood sugar levels in diabetes) may increase the level of sugar in the blood.
- Ginkgo and rabeprazol (to reduce the acidity of stomach) – reduces the effectiveness of the medication.
Dmitry Kolesnik