Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

Interactions with Drugs

Based on animal studies and human case reports, chaparral has been associated with kidney damage, cysts, cancer and failure. Theoretically, use of chaparral with other agents known to alter kidney function, or induce toxicity should be avoided, including sulfa antibiotics, aminoglycoside antibiotics, COX-2 inhibitors, NSAIDs, and a number of other drugs. If you are using other medications and considering chaparral, this should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional. Based on animal study and human case reports, chaparral has also been associated with liver damage. Theoretically, use of chaparral with other agents known to induce liver toxicity should be avoided, such as amiodarone, carmustine, danazol, fluoxymesterone, isoniazid, ketoconazole, mercaptopurine, methotrexate, methyltestosterone, oxandrolone, oxymetholone, plicamycin, stanozolol, tacrine, testosterone, and valproic acid.

Based on an animal study, chaparral may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional. Medication adjustments may be necessary. Based on a human research, chaparral may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®) .

Based on animal research, chaparral may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood, and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. If you are using any medications, check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional or pharmacist about possible interactions. Based on historical use, chaparral may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid (Marplan®), phenelzine (Nardil®), and tranylcypromine (Parnate®).

Chaparral may aggravate indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers and inhibit the metabolism of barbiturate drugs like phenobarbital. Effects of thyroid medications may be altered although this is unproven.

Interactions with Herbs & Dietary Supplements

Based on animal studies and human case reports, chaparral has been associated with kidney damage, cysts, cancer and kidney failure. Theoretically, use of chaparral with other herbs or supplements known to alter kidney function, or induce toxicity should be avoided, such as agents with high levels of tannins. Based on animal research and human case reports, chaparral has also been associated with liver damage. Theoretically, use of chaparral with other herbs or supplements known to induce liver toxicity should be avoided, such as ackee, bee pollen, birch oil, blessed thistle, borage, bush tea, butterbur, coltsfoot, comfrey, DHEA, Echinacea purpurea, Echium spp., germander, Heliotropium spp ., horse chestnut (intravenous preparations), Jin-bu-huan ( Lycopodium serratum ), kava, lobelia, L-tetrahydropalmatine (THP), mate, niacin (vitamin B-3), niacinamide, Paraguay tea, periwinkle, Plantago lanceolata, pride of Madeira, rue, sassafras, scullcap, Senecio spp./groundsel, tansy ragwort, turmeric/curcumin, Tu-san-chi (Gynura segetum), uva ursi, and valerian.

Based on an animal study, chaparral may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using herbs or supplements that may also lower blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may require monitoring, and doses may need adjustment. Possible examples include: Aloe vera , American ginseng, bilberry, bitter melon, burdock,fenugreek, fish oil, gymnema, horse chestnut seed extract (HCSE), marshmallow, milk thistle, Panax ginseng, rosemary, Siberian ginseng, stinging nettle and white horehound. Agents that may raise blood sugar levels include: Arginine, cocoa, and ephedra (when combined with caffeine).

Based on a human study, chaparral may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with herbs and supplements that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. Multiple cases of bleeding have been reported with the use of Ginkgo biloba , fewer cases with garlic, and two cases with saw palmetto. Numerous other agents may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding, although this has not been proven in most cases. Some examples include: alfalfa, American ginseng, angelica, anise, Arnica montana , asafetida, aspen bark, bilberry, birch, black cohosh, bladderwrack, bogbean, boldo, borage seed oil, bromelain, capsicum, cat's claw, celery, chamomile, clove, coleus, cordyceps, danshen, devil's claw, dong quai, evening primrose, fenugreek, feverfew, flaxseed/flax powder (not a concern with flaxseed oil), ginger, grapefruit juice, grapeseed, green tea, guggul, gymnestra, horse chestnut, horseradish, licorice root, lovage root, male fern, meadowsweet, onion, papain, Panax ginseng, parsley, passionflower, poplar, prickly Ash, propolis, quassia, red clover, reishi, Siberian ginseng, sweet clover, rue, sweet birch, sweet clover, turmeric , vitamin E, white willow, wild carrot, wild lettuce, willow, wintergreen, yucca.

Based on animal research, chaparral may interfere with the way the body processes certain herbs or supplements using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of other herbs or supplements to be too high in the blood. It may also alter the effects that other herbs or supplements possibly have on the P450 system, such as bloodroot, cat's claw, chamomile, chasteberry, damiana, Echinacea angustifolia , goldenseal, grapefruit, licorice, oregano, red clover, St. John's wort, wild cherry, and yucca. If you are using any medications, check the package insert and speak with your healthcare professional or pharmacist about possible interactions. Based on historical use, chaparral may interact with herbs or supplements with possible monoamine oxidase inhibitor effects, such as 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan), California poppy, chromium, DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), DLPA (DL Phenylalanine), ephedra, evening primrose oil, fenugreek, Ginkgo biloba , hops, mace, St. John's wort, SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine), sepia, tyrosine, valerian, vitamin B6, yohimbe bark extract.

Effects of thyroid medications may be altered although this is unproven.

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Tags: Herbal Medicine

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