Herbals And Drugs Can Have Adverse Interactions for Seniors: Check With Your Doctors First

Senior Drug Interactions  |  January 13, 2025

What Every Family and Caregiver in Edmonton, AB Needs to Know to Avoid Adverse Interactions

Adverse Interactions for Seniors | Herbal remedies, though derived from natural plant-based ingredients, are not inherently safe. When combined with certain prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, they can pose health risks, including potentially life-threatening complications.

This is particularly concerning for older adults and individuals with heart conditions. The Mayo Clinic advises sharing a complete list of herbal products, prescription medications, and OTC drugs with all healthcare providers involved in your care. Additionally, it is essential to consult your physician before starting any herbal remedy.

An estimated 15 million Americans, and counting, use herbal medications or supplements. Used for centuries, herbal medications have become more risky today because many people take multiple medications, multiplying the chance of an adverse interaction.

Avoiding Adverse Interactions in Seniors

Herbal products do not undergo the testing and scrutiny of drugs, which must be proven safe and effective before being released on the market. In addition, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) says on its Web site, FamilyDoctor.org, that herbal products may not be pure. Some contain other ingredients, such as plant pollen, as well as drugs that are not listed on the label, such as steroids or estrogens. Others, warns the AAFP, may contain toxic substances, such as arsenic, mercury, lead and pesticides.

Herbals can interact with drugs, reducing effectiveness or increasing potency to harmful degrees and can be particularly risky for heart patients.

The Mayo Clinic provides examples of herbs that can cause drug interactions for seniors:

• St. John’s Wort, used to treat depression, sleep disorders and anxiety, can reduce some medications’ effectiveness and lead to recurrence of arrhythmia, high blood pressure, heightened cholesterol levels and future heart problems.
• Ginkgo biloba, marketed to improve circulation and sharpen the mind, increases bleeding risk in persons taking aspirin or warfarin.

The AAFP says that seniors are at increased risk of adverse interactions with herbal products and recommends that consumers check with their doctor before taking herbal products, particularly if they have any of the following conditions:

• Blood clotting problems
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Enlarged prostate gland
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Immune system problems
• Psychiatric problems
• Parkinson’s disease
• Liver problems
• Stroke
• Thyroid problems

Individuals who will be having surgery also need to tell their doctor if they use herbal products, as they can cause bleeding and problems with anesthesia. The AAFP says that surgery patients should stop using herbal products at least two weeks before their procedure, depending on their doctor’s orders.

The AAFP provides online directories for seniors regarding herbal medications and supplements:

• Possible side effects
• A listing of some of the drugs that may interact with herbal products

In addition, the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine provide an online directory of information regarding herbal medications.

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