McKenna's Pharmacology for Nursing, 2e

A P P E N D I X F Complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies 965

■■ TABLE F Complementary and alternative therapies (continued) Substance Reported uses and possible risks

ginkgo

Oral: vascular dilation; increases blood flow to the brain, improving cognitive function; used in treating Alzheimer’s disease; antioxidant Can inhibit blood clotting; seizures reported with high doses; warn against use with anticoagulants , aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ; can interact with phenytoin , carbamazepine , phenobarbitone , tricyclic antidepressants , MAO inhibitors and oral hypoglycaemic agents ; advise caution Oral: aphrodisiac, mood elevator, tonic; antihypertensive; decreases cholesterol levels; lowers blood glucose; adjunct in cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy May cause irritability if combined with caffeine ; inhibits clotting; warn against use with anticoagulants , aspirin , NSAIDs ; warn against use for longer than 3 months; may cause headaches, manic episodes if used with phenelzine , MAO inhibitors ; may interfere with additive effects of oestrogens and corticosteroids ; may also interfere with cardiac effects of digoxin ; monitor person closely if he or she takes these drugs or an antidiabetic drug Oral: treatment of osteoarthritis and joint diseases, usually combined with chondroitin Monitor glucose levels in individuals with diabetes Oral: treatment of renal disease, rheumatism, sore throat, eczema May decrease effects of diuretics by increasing sodium retention; advise caution if the individual has a history of allergies Oral: lowers blood glucose, aids healing; treatment of bronchitis, colds, flu-like symptoms, cystitis May cause false-negative test results in those who use such drugs as marijuana and cocaine; large amounts may cause paralysis; affects blood clotting; warn against use with anticoagulants ; may interfere with antihypertensives , acid blockers , barbiturates ; may increase effects of sedatives ; death can result from overdose Topical: chronic venous insufficiency Warn against using with oral hypoglycaemic agents , cholesterol-lowering drugs , sedatives Oral: treatment of allergies, asthma; improves circulation; decreases platelet aggregation Advise caution with oral anticoagulants ; may increase bleeding Oral: antioxidant, to prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease, to increase cognitive function (caffeine effects) Advise caution with oral anticoagulants ; may increase bleeding; may increase blood pressure; caution against using with milk Oral: lowers blood glucose; promotes weight loss Advise caution with antihypertensives ; decreases absorption of iron ; may decrease clearance of lithium Oral: treatment of angina, arrhythmias, blood pressure problems; decreases cholesterol Advise caution with digoxin , ACE inhibitors , central nervous system (CNS) depressants ; may potentiate effects Oral: decreases appetite, promotes weight loss Advise caution; increases blood pressure, risk of cardiovascular events

ginseng

glucosamine

goldenrod leaves

goldenseal

gotu kola

grape seed extract

green tea leaf

guarana

guayusa

hawthorn

hop

Oral: sedative; aids healing; alters blood glucose Discourage use with CNS depressants , antipsychotics

horehound

Oral: expectorant; treatment of respiratory problems, gastrointestinal disorders Use caution with oral hypoglycaemic agents , antihypertensives

horse chestnut seed

Oral: treatment of varicose veins, haemorrhoids Advise caution with oral anticoagulants ; may increase bleeding

hyssop

Topical: treatment of cold sores, genital herpes, burns, wounds Oral: treatment of coughs, colds, indigestion, flatulence Warn against use by pregnant women and those with seizures; toxic in children and pets

jambul

Oral: treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery; lowers blood glucose Use caution with CNS depressants

Java plum

Oral: treatment of diabetes mellitus Advise caution with oral hypoglycaemic agents

jojoba

Topical: promotion of hair growth, relief of skin problems Toxic if ingested

juniper berries

Oral: increases appetite, aids digestion; diuretic; urinary tract disinfectant; lowers blood glucose level Advise caution when taken with oral hypoglycaemic agents ; not for use in pregnancy Oral: treatment of nervous anxiety, stress, restlessness; tranquilliser Warn against use with alprazolam ; may cause coma; advise against use with Parkinson’s disease or history of stroke; discourage use with St John’s wort , anxiolytics , alcohol ; risk of serious liver toxicity Continued on following page

kava