Side effects of ginkgo, garlic, ginseng while taking Warfarin

An informative article detailing the side effects of taking herbal supplements including garlic, ginger, and ginkgo biloba and ginseng while using the medication Warfarin (Coumadin).

Garlic, Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, and Ginger Require Caution With Coumadin
Topics: Medicine

According to a University of Washington researcher, if you're taking Coumadin (Warfarin), you need to beware of adverse events associated herbs and many supplements beginning with the letter G.

Garlic, ginger, and gingko biloba all increase the anticoagulation of Coumadin, and Ginseng can decrease it.

Adverse events associated with Coumadin therapy continue to be a leading cause of hospitalizations for drug-related adverse events, and many times the problem can be traced to those herbs and supplements...

Coumadin adverse events are often traced to Bactrim aka Septra (TMP/sulfa), a frequently prescribed antibiotic in elderly patients who are also the most likely users of Coumadin.

Other drugs that are likely to interact with Coumadin include erythromycin, amiodarone, Diflucan (fluconazole), Nizoral (ketoconazole), Sporanox (itraconazole), and metronidazole,...

And there is a possibility that Prilosec (omeprazole) can raise INR..

"Many doctors will tell anticoagulated patients to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) for pain because then they won't have to worry about GI bleeding," he said. "But this drug is not totally benign in anticoagulated patients."