Bad and medicine: dangerous combinations

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Bad and medicine: dangerous combinations

Introduction to the world of dietary supplements and medicines:

Understanding the differences between biologically active additives (dietary supplements) and drugs (drugs) is critical of health. Medicines undergo strict clinical trials to prove their effectiveness and safety for the treatment of specific diseases. Their production and distribution are strictly regulated by state bodies. Bades, on the contrary, are considered as food products, not medicines. This means that their production and sale are regulated less rigidly. Dad manufacturers are not required to prove their effectiveness or safety to the same extent as manufacturers of drugs.

Often dietary supplements contain vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids and other substances that are believed to be healthy. They can be advertised as means to improve overall well -being, increase immunity, weight loss, improve sports results, etc. However, despite the apparent harmlessness, dietary supplements can interact with medicines, which can lead to serious health consequences.

Mechanisms for the interaction of dietary supplements and drugs:

The interaction of dietary supplements and drugs can occur in various ways, affecting absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion of drugs. Understanding these mechanisms is necessary to prevent undesirable consequences.

• Pharmacokinetic interactions: These interactions affect how the body treats the medicine.

  • Impact of absorption: Some dietary supplements can affect the absorption of drugs in the gastrointestinal tract. For example, dietary supplements containing fiber can slow down the absorption of drugs, reducing their effectiveness. Other dietary supplements can change PH of gastric contents, which can also affect the absorption of drugs.
  • Influence on metabolism: Many drugs are metabolized by liver enzymes, especially the P450 cytochrome system (CYP). Some dietary supplements can inhibit or induce these enzymes, which leads to a change in the concentration of the drug in the blood. For example, St. John’s wort is known for its ability to induce CYP3A4, which can reduce the effectiveness of many drugs, including antidepressants, contraceptive tablets and immunosuppressants. Grapefruit juice is also a well -known CYP3A4 inhibitor, and it is not recommended to be consumed with some drugs.
  • Influence on the distribution: Some dietary supplements can affect the linking of drugs with plasma proteins, which can change the distribution of medicine in the body. If the medicine greatly binds to plasma proteins, and dietary supplements supplants it from this connection, the concentration of free (active) medicine in the blood increases, which can lead to increased its effect and increase the risk of side effects.
  • Influence on excretion: Some dietary supplements can affect the excretion of medicines through the kidneys or liver. For example, some diuretics can increase the excretion of drugs, which reduces their effectiveness.

• Pharmacodynamic interactions: These interactions affect how the medicine acts on the body.

  • Synergism: Some dietary supplements can enhance the effect of drugs. For example, the intake of warfarin (anticoagulant) with dietary supplements containing vitamin K can increase the risk of bleeding.
  • Antagonism: Some dietary supplements can weaken the effect of drugs. For example, taking anticoagulants with dietary supplements containing vitamin K can reduce their effectiveness.
  • Additative effect: Some dietary supplements and medicines may have similar effects, and their joint use can lead to increased these effects. For example, taking antihypertensive drugs with dietary supplements that reduce blood pressure can lead to an excessive decrease in blood pressure.

The most dangerous combinations of dietary supplements and medicines:

Consider specific examples of dangerous combinations of dietary supplements and drugs to illustrate potential risks.

• Antique (Varfarin, KlopiDogrell, Dabigatran) and Bady:

  • Vitamin K: Vitamin K plays an important role in blood coagulation. Reception of vitamin K with anticoagulants, such as warfarin, can reduce the effectiveness of anticoagulants and increase the risk of blood clots.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids: High doses of omega-3 fatty acids can dilute blood. Reception of omega-3 fatty acids with anticoagulants can increase the risk of bleeding.
  • Garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng: These herbs can also have anticoagulant properties. Their joint use with anticoagulants can increase the risk of bleeding.
  • St. John’s wort is perforated: St. John’s wort can reduce the effectiveness of warfarin, which requires more frequent control of the IN (international normalized attitude) and the dose of warfarin.

• Antidepressants (SIOOS, MAO inhibitors) and dietary supplements:

  • St. John’s wort is perforated: The St. John’s wort is a powerful inducer of CYP enzymes and can reduce the effectiveness of many antidepressants, especially SIOS (selective serotonin reversal inhibitors). It can also cause serotonin syndrome when jointly used with SIOS or MAO inhibitors (monoaminexidase). Serotonin syndrome is a potentially dangerous state, which is characterized by tremor, sweating, agitation, confusion of consciousness, fever and, in severe cases, convulsions and death.
  • Triptophan, 5-HTP (5-hydroxytriptophan): These amino acids are the predecessors of serotonin. Their use with antidepressants that increase serotonin levels can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
  • SAM-e (S-adenosylylylylmetionin): SAM-E also affects neurotransmitters in the brain. Its joint use with antidepressants can increase the risk of side effects.

• Antihypertensive drugs and dietary supplements:

  • Coenzim Q10 (COQ10): COQ10 can reduce blood pressure. Reception of COQ10 with antihypertensive drugs can lead to an excessive decrease in blood pressure (hypotension).
  • Garlic, hawthorn, potassium: These substances can also reduce blood pressure. Their joint use with antihypertensive drugs requires caution and control of blood pressure.
  • Ephedra (Ma Huang): The ephedra is a stimulant that can increase blood pressure. Its joint use with antihypertensive drugs can reduce their effectiveness.

• Preparations for the treatment of diabetes and dietary supplements:

  • Chrome, cinnamon, ginseng: These substances can reduce blood sugar. Their use with drugs for the treatment of diabetes (insulin, metformin, sulfonylmochevin) can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
  • Alpha-lipoic acid: Alpha-lipoic acid can increase insulin sensitivity. Its intake with drugs for diabetes requires control of blood sugar and, possibly, adjusting the dose of drugs.
  • St. John’s wort is perforated: St. John’s wort can affect blood sugar and interact with drugs for the treatment of diabetes.

• Immunosuppressants and dietary supplements:

  • SOUTINATEA: Echinacea can stimulate the immune system. Its reception with immunosuppressants can reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressants and lead to the rejection of the transplant.
  • St. John’s wort is perforated: St. John’s wort can reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressants, such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus, which can lead to the rejection of the graft.

• Broadcasting tablets and dietary supplements:

  • St. John’s wort is perforated: St. John’s wort can reduce the effectiveness of contraceptives, increasing the risk of unwanted pregnancy.
  • Activated carbon: Activated carbon can adsorb drugs in the gastrointestinal tract, including contraceptive tablets, reducing their effectiveness.

• Antiviral drugs and dietary supplements:

  • St. John’s wort is perforated: St. John’s wort can reduce the effectiveness of some antiviral drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C.

• Statins (drugs that reduce cholesterol) and dietary supplements:

  • Red yeast rice: Red yeast rice contains Monacoline K, which is chemically identical to lovastatin (statin). The intake of red yeast rice with statins can increase the risk of side effects of statins, such as myopathy (muscle pain and weakness) and rabdomyolysis (destruction of muscle cells).
  • Grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice inhibits the CYP3A4 enzyme, which metabolizes some statins (for example, atorvastatin, simvastatin). The use of grapefruit juice with statins can increase blood statins and increase the risk of side effects.

Special risk groups:

Some groups of people are more at risk of interaction between dietary supplements and drugs.

• Elderly people: Older people often take several drugs at the same time (polypragmasis), which increases the risk of drugs and dietary supplements. In addition, in the elderly, the function of the liver and kidneys is often reduced, which can slow down metabolism and the excretion of drugs and dietary supplements.
• People with chronic diseases: People with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart, kidneys or liver diseases, often take several drugs. This increases the risk of drugs and dietary supplements.
• People preparing for surgery or undergoing surgery: Some dietary supplements can affect blood coagulation or blood pressure, which can represent a risk during surgery. It is important to inform the doctor about all the dietary supplements before the operation.
• Pregnant and lactating women: Some dietary supplements can be dangerous for pregnant and lactating women. It is important to consult a doctor before taking any dietary supplements during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Children: Some dietary supplements are contraindicated in children. It is important to consult a doctor before taking any dietary supplements by children.

How to prevent dangerous interactions:

To prevent dangerous interactions of dietary supplements and drugs, the following recommendations must be followed:

• Tell the doctor about all the medications and dietary supplements: It is important to provide the doctor with complete information about all drugs (including prescription and over -the -counter) and dietary supplements that you accept. This will allow the doctor to evaluate the risk of interaction and take the necessary measures.
• Consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking dietary supplements: Before you start taking any dietary supplements, consult a doctor or pharmacist to make sure their safety and the absence of interaction with the drugs taken.
• Read dietary supplements: Carefully read dietary supplements to learn about possible interactions with medicines.
• Do not exceed the recommended dose of dietary supplements: Taking dietary supplements in high doses can increase the risk of drug interaction.
• Buy dietary supplements from reliable manufacturers: Buy dietary supplements from reliable manufacturers who conduct quality control of their products.
• Be careful with dietary supplements advertised as “natural” or “safe”: Not all “natural” or “safe” dietary supplements are safe for everyone. They can interact with drugs and cause side effects.
• Pay attention to any unusual symptoms: If you notice any unusual symptoms after the start of taking a dietary supplement, see a doctor immediately.
• Maintenance of a list of drugs and dietary supplements: It is recommended to keep a list of all medications and dietary supplements indicating the dosage and reception frequency. This list can be shown to the doctor at every visit.
• Using online tools to check interactions: There are online tools that allow you to check the interaction between medicines and dietary supplements. However, these tools should not replace consultation with a doctor or pharmacist.
• Understanding the purpose of admission of dietary supplements: Clearly determine the purpose of admission of dietary supplements. If you have any diseases, consult a doctor to receive appropriate treatment, and do not rely only on dietary supplements.

Bad regulation:

Bad regulation varies in different countries. In some countries, such as the United States, dietary supplements are regulated as food products, and not as medicines. This means that dietary supplement manufacturers are not required to prove their effectiveness or safety to the same extent as manufacturers of drugs. In other countries, such as Germany, dietary supplements are regulated more strictly. It is important to know how dietary supplements in your country are regulated in order to make reasonable decisions about their use.

Marketing Badov:

Marketing of dietary supplements is often aggressive and can mislead consumers. Dad manufacturers can make unreasonable statements about the effectiveness of their products. It is important to be critical of the information presented in the advertisement of dietary supplements, and not believe everything that you see or hear.

Conclusion:

The interaction of dietary supplements and drugs may pose a serious threat to health. To prevent dangerous interactions, it is important to inform the doctor about all the medicines and dietary supplements, consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking dietary supplements, read dietary supplements and be careful with dietary supplements advertised as “natural” or “safe”. Remember that your health is in your hands. Make reasonable decisions on the use of medicines and dietary supplements, and do not hesitate to ask questions to your doctor or pharmacist.