herbal dangers
October 2007
People who use herbal supplements should talk to
their doctor or pharmacist about possible side effects,
especially if they are taking certain medications or are
about to have surgery, according to Excellus BlueCross
BlueShield officials.
“Herbal supplements, while derived from natural plants,
act in a way that is similar to drugs, and can be risky in
some cases,” said Joel Owerbach, Pharm.D., vice president
and chief pharmacy officer, Excellus BCBS. There
are some cases in which talking to your doctor about
herbal supplements is especially important:
• You are pregnant or breast feeding.
• You are having surgery.
• You are younger than 18 or older than 65.
• You are taking certain prescriptions or
over-the-counter medications.
Traditional medications may be available for your
medical condition and you may avoid drug reactions if
you take a medication proven to be safe and effective by
the FDA. (The FDA does not have the authority to ask for
proof that herbals are safe and effective.)
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