Complementary and alternative medical treatments like herbal supplements are increasingly used among older patients and patients with chronic pain, but they could have harmful side effects when combined with medications taken during and after orthopedic surgery, according to an American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons news release.
A review article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons shows that many popular herbal supplements have serious side effects when combined with prescription medications:
• Feverfew, ginger, cranberry, St. John's Wort and ginseng may interact with warfarin anti-clotting drug
• Feverfew, ginger and gingko can interact with aspirin
• Garlic can interview with anti-clotting medications and cyclosporine
• Valerian can intensify anesthetics
• St. John's Wort can interact with immunosuppressive drugs, which could lead to transplant rejection
Several herbal products marketed for osteoarthritis patients can also interact negatively with prescription medications. Patients can avoid problems by not taking the complementary and alternative medical treatments two weeks before surgery and avoiding them during the postoperative period while they are taking prescription medications.
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• Feverfew, ginger, cranberry, St. John's Wort and ginseng may interact with warfarin anti-clotting drug
• Feverfew, ginger and gingko can interact with aspirin
• Garlic can interview with anti-clotting medications and cyclosporine
• Valerian can intensify anesthetics
• St. John's Wort can interact with immunosuppressive drugs, which could lead to transplant rejection
Several herbal products marketed for osteoarthritis patients can also interact negatively with prescription medications. Patients can avoid problems by not taking the complementary and alternative medical treatments two weeks before surgery and avoiding them during the postoperative period while they are taking prescription medications.
Related Articles on Orthopedic Surgery:
Dr. John Elfar Receives American Orthopaedic Association's North American Traveling Fellowship
U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team Foundation Appoints Dr. Marc Philippon to Board of Trustees
Study Finds High Rate of Hip Impingement Among College Football Players