If you’re heading in for any sort of surgery, it may not occur to you to talk to your doctor about the herbal supplements you’ve been taking. Sure, you always keep track of your medications and keep the list updated with your health care professionals, but you should also let your doctor know about herbal supplements.
Herbal supplements that don’t interact with your everyday prescription medications may affect the outcome of a surgical procedure. You may need to stop taking herbal supplements as long as three weeks before surgery to make sure they are out of your system.
Some herbal supplements may increase your chances of bleeding after surgery. If you take dong quai, feverfew, ginger, or ginkgo, be sure to tell your doctor. These herbs may cause bleeding. Garlic and ginseng may also cause problems with bleeding after surgery. Garlic may interfere with normal blood clotting; ginseng may cause high blood pressure.
Ginseng isn’t the only herbal supplement that may cause blood pressure problems during and after surgery. Goldenseal and licorice may increase blood pressure. However, it is important to note that licorice candy is dangerous; licorice supplements may be a problem. Ephedra can also lead to high blood pressure, among other complications.
Ephedra is known to cause abnormal heartbeat, and can lead to coma if combined with certain antidepressants and anesthesia. Be careful if taking ephedra at all, whether or not you are planning to have surgery.
Kava is another drug that may interfere with anesthesia. Both kava and valerian may enhance the sedative effects of anesthesia, because they are both sedatives themselves.
Echinacea and Saint John’s wort can both interfere with drugs given after surgery. Echinacea may interfere with immune system function after surgery, and may change the effectiveness of immunosuppressant drugs given after transplant surgery. Saint John’s wort can also change the effectiveness of certain drugs.