To Avoid Harmful Herb-Drug Interactions Forrest Batz, PharmD, offers important advice for those mixing conventional drugs with herbs or supplements. When integrated with conventional medications, herbal therapies may provide patients with a better quality of life.
Many herbs are strong medicines in and of themselves.
Herbs taken in the wrong doses or in combination with the wrong substance can be quite harmful. Moreover, because herbs are not regulated by the FDA, it is largely up to the consumer and his or her provider to communicate effectively about herbal remedies and possible interactions with conventional medications. If you are taking herbs or planning to, it is important that you know the issues and questions to discuss with your provider. ThriveOnline interviewed Forrest Batz, PharmD, an assistant clinical professor in the School of Pharmacy at the University of California, San Francisco to learn more. Ask what kinds of interactions and side effects to watch for with each drug, herb, or supplement you use.