Updated September 10, 2014.
At the annual meeting of the American Headache Society. researchers from the University of Utah Health Sciences Center will be presenting findings based on more than 20 studies on possible interactions between Migraine and cluster headache medications and herbal products. They conclude that the combination of some herbal products and medications used for Migraine and other head pain disorders could render the medications ineffective or even toxic because they can interact with the liver enzymes that metabolize the medications.
Many patients view anything "natural" as being safe. Since they're "just dietary supplements," patients often don't list them with their medications or tell their doctors and pharmacists that they're taking them. Carla Rubingh, a clinical pharmacist specializing in headache and pain management at the Utah Health Sciences Center commented, "Unless we specifically ask, they don't tell us ... People see them as natural, and people continue to take them, but don't tell doctors."¹ In another interview, she commented, "These supplements need to be recognized as medications ... Patients need to tell their physicians they are taking them, and physicians need to ask if they are taking them and know how they might interact with medications."²
Some of the herbal product under discussion are:
Specific medications studied included:
In some studies, researchers also found that some herbal remedies including ginko biloba, ginseng, valerian root, and St. John's Wort may even trigger or worse Migraine attacks and cluster headaches.
The researchers found studies that some herbal remedies -- ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John's wort and valerian root -- also may cause or worsen migraine or cluster headaches.
Founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council, Mark Blumenthal, is critical of the study, saying, ""It's totally speculative, and it's irresponsible in the sense that it's not based on pharmacology."¹The American Botanical Council isa non-profit group created to educate the public about the responsible use of medicinal plants.
Part of the problem with herbal products is that they are not regulated or standardized by the Food and Drug Administration. There is little consistency between brands or even lots (batches) in some cases since they don't have to meet the standards for purity, testing, or clinical trials that have been set for medications. Without information similar to what we receive regarding our medications, consumers simply don't have as much information about potential drug or adverse reactions with herbal products.
So, how do we know what's safe? The best advice is to always check with your physician before taking herbal products or dietary supplements. When asked to list your medications, always include these products as well. These products have their place in health care and can be very valuable, but consider them to be the medications they are, and always check with your doctor.
¹Herbs, Headache Meds Could Be Dangerous Combination. Gary Gately for HealthScoutNews.
²Herbal Products May Interfere with Migraine Drugs. Alan Mozes for Reuters Health.
Some supplements can make Migraine meds ineffective or toxic.
At the annual meeting of the American Headache Society. researchers from the University of Utah Health Sciences Center will be presenting findings based on more than 20 studies on possible interactions between Migraine and cluster headache medications and herbal products. They conclude that the combination of some herbal products and medications used for Migraine and other head pain disorders could render the medications ineffective or even toxic because they can interact with the liver enzymes that metabolize the medications.
Many patients view anything "natural" as being safe. Since they're "just dietary supplements," patients often don't list them with their medications or tell their doctors and pharmacists that they're taking them. Carla Rubingh, a clinical pharmacist specializing in headache and pain management at the Utah Health Sciences Center commented, "Unless we specifically ask, they don't tell us ... People see them as natural, and people continue to take them, but don't tell doctors."¹ In another interview, she commented, "These supplements need to be recognized as medications ... Patients need to tell their physicians they are taking them, and physicians need to ask if they are taking them and know how they might interact with medications."²
Some of the herbal product under discussion are:
Specific medications studied included:
In some studies, researchers also found that some herbal remedies including ginko biloba, ginseng, valerian root, and St. John's Wort may even trigger or worse Migraine attacks and cluster headaches.
The researchers found studies that some herbal remedies -- ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John's wort and valerian root -- also may cause or worsen migraine or cluster headaches.
Founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council, Mark Blumenthal, is critical of the study, saying, ""It's totally speculative, and it's irresponsible in the sense that it's not based on pharmacology."¹The American Botanical Council isa non-profit group created to educate the public about the responsible use of medicinal plants.
Part of the problem with herbal products is that they are not regulated or standardized by the Food and Drug Administration. There is little consistency between brands or even lots (batches) in some cases since they don't have to meet the standards for purity, testing, or clinical trials that have been set for medications. Without information similar to what we receive regarding our medications, consumers simply don't have as much information about potential drug or adverse reactions with herbal products.
So, how do we know what's safe? The best advice is to always check with your physician before taking herbal products or dietary supplements. When asked to list your medications, always include these products as well. These products have their place in health care and can be very valuable, but consider them to be the medications they are, and always check with your doctor.
¹Herbs, Headache Meds Could Be Dangerous Combination. Gary Gately for HealthScoutNews.
²Herbal Products May Interfere with Migraine Drugs. Alan Mozes for Reuters Health.
At the annual meeting of the American Headache Society. researchers from the University of Utah Health Sciences Center will be presenting findings based on more than 20 studies on possible interactions between Migraine and cluster headache medications and herbal products. They conclude that the combination of some herbal products and medications used for Migraine and other head pain disorders could render the medications ineffective or even toxic because they can interact with the liver enzymes that metabolize the medications.
Many patients view anything "natural" as being safe. Since they're "just dietary supplements," patients often don't list them with their medications or tell their doctors and pharmacists that they're taking them. Carla Rubingh, a clinical pharmacist specializing in headache and pain management at the Utah Health Sciences Center commented, "Unless we specifically ask, they don't tell us ... People see them as natural, and people continue to take them, but don't tell doctors."¹ In another interview, she commented, "These supplements need to be recognized as medications ... Patients need to tell their physicians they are taking them, and physicians need to ask if they are taking them and know how they might interact with medications."²
Some of the herbal product under discussion are:
- ginko biloba
- St. John's Wort
- ginseng
- echinacea
- large quantities of garlic
- valerian root
Specific medications studied included:
- The triptans ? Imitrex®/sumatriptan, Zomig®/zolmitriptan, Maxalt®/rizatriptan, Amerge®/naratriptan, Axert®/almotriptan, Frova®/frovatriptan, Relpax®/eletriptan
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil®/amitriptyline,Pamelor®/nortriptyline, Tofranil®/imipramine, Vivactil®/protriptyline, and others
In some studies, researchers also found that some herbal remedies including ginko biloba, ginseng, valerian root, and St. John's Wort may even trigger or worse Migraine attacks and cluster headaches.
The researchers found studies that some herbal remedies -- ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John's wort and valerian root -- also may cause or worsen migraine or cluster headaches.
Founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council, Mark Blumenthal, is critical of the study, saying, ""It's totally speculative, and it's irresponsible in the sense that it's not based on pharmacology."¹The American Botanical Council isa non-profit group created to educate the public about the responsible use of medicinal plants.
Part of the problem with herbal products is that they are not regulated or standardized by the Food and Drug Administration. There is little consistency between brands or even lots (batches) in some cases since they don't have to meet the standards for purity, testing, or clinical trials that have been set for medications. Without information similar to what we receive regarding our medications, consumers simply don't have as much information about potential drug or adverse reactions with herbal products.
So, how do we know what's safe? The best advice is to always check with your physician before taking herbal products or dietary supplements. When asked to list your medications, always include these products as well. These products have their place in health care and can be very valuable, but consider them to be the medications they are, and always check with your doctor.
¹Herbs, Headache Meds Could Be Dangerous Combination. Gary Gately for HealthScoutNews.
²Herbal Products May Interfere with Migraine Drugs. Alan Mozes for Reuters Health.
Some supplements can make Migraine meds ineffective or toxic.
At the annual meeting of the American Headache Society. researchers from the University of Utah Health Sciences Center will be presenting findings based on more than 20 studies on possible interactions between Migraine and cluster headache medications and herbal products. They conclude that the combination of some herbal products and medications used for Migraine and other head pain disorders could render the medications ineffective or even toxic because they can interact with the liver enzymes that metabolize the medications.
Many patients view anything "natural" as being safe. Since they're "just dietary supplements," patients often don't list them with their medications or tell their doctors and pharmacists that they're taking them. Carla Rubingh, a clinical pharmacist specializing in headache and pain management at the Utah Health Sciences Center commented, "Unless we specifically ask, they don't tell us ... People see them as natural, and people continue to take them, but don't tell doctors."¹ In another interview, she commented, "These supplements need to be recognized as medications ... Patients need to tell their physicians they are taking them, and physicians need to ask if they are taking them and know how they might interact with medications."²
Some of the herbal product under discussion are:
- ginko biloba
- St. John's Wort
- ginseng
- echinacea
- large quantities of garlic
- valerian root
Specific medications studied included:
- The triptans ? Imitrex®/sumatriptan, Zomig®/zolmitriptan, Maxalt®/rizatriptan, Amerge®/naratriptan, Axert®/almotriptan, Frova®/frovatriptan, Relpax®/eletriptan
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil®/amitriptyline,Pamelor®/nortriptyline, Tofranil®/imipramine, Vivactil®/protriptyline, and others
In some studies, researchers also found that some herbal remedies including ginko biloba, ginseng, valerian root, and St. John's Wort may even trigger or worse Migraine attacks and cluster headaches.
The researchers found studies that some herbal remedies -- ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John's wort and valerian root -- also may cause or worsen migraine or cluster headaches.
Founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council, Mark Blumenthal, is critical of the study, saying, ""It's totally speculative, and it's irresponsible in the sense that it's not based on pharmacology."¹The American Botanical Council isa non-profit group created to educate the public about the responsible use of medicinal plants.
Part of the problem with herbal products is that they are not regulated or standardized by the Food and Drug Administration. There is little consistency between brands or even lots (batches) in some cases since they don't have to meet the standards for purity, testing, or clinical trials that have been set for medications. Without information similar to what we receive regarding our medications, consumers simply don't have as much information about potential drug or adverse reactions with herbal products.
So, how do we know what's safe? The best advice is to always check with your physician before taking herbal products or dietary supplements. When asked to list your medications, always include these products as well. These products have their place in health care and can be very valuable, but consider them to be the medications they are, and always check with your doctor.
¹Herbs, Headache Meds Could Be Dangerous Combination. Gary Gately for HealthScoutNews.
²Herbal Products May Interfere with Migraine Drugs. Alan Mozes for Reuters Health.
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