McKenna's Pharmacology for Nursing, 2e

A P P E N D I X F Complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies 967

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

sage

Oral: lowers blood pressure; lowers blood glucose Advise caution with oral hypoglycaemic agents , anticonvulsants , alcohol

SAM-e (AdoMet)

Oral: promotion of general wellbeing and health May cause frequent gastrointestinal complaints and headache; risk of serotonin syndrome with antidepressants

sarsaparilla

Oral: treatment of skin disorders, rheumatism Advise caution with anticonvulsants

sassafras

Topical: treatment of local pain, skin eruptions Oral: enhancement of athletic performance, “cure” for syphilis Oil may be toxic to fetus, children and adults when ingested; interacts with many drugs Oral: treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia Warn against use with oestrogen-replacement or hormonal contraceptives—may greatly increase adverse effects; may decrease iron absorption; advise against use with finasteride ; toxicity could occur Oral: health tonic, liver protectant; adjunct in cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy Warn against use during pregnancy; causes uterine stimulation; advise caution with all drugs metabolised in the liver Oral: diuretic, tonic, aid in labour and childbirth, treatment of menstrual problems May cause liver toxicity; increased toxicity of digoxin ; disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol Discourage tyramine-containing foods; hypertensive crisis is possible; thrombocytopenia has been reported; can increase sensitivity to light; advise against taking with drugs that cause photosensitivity ; severe photosensitivity can occur in light-skinned people; serious interactions have been reported with SSRIs , MAO inhibitors , kava , digoxin , theophylline , AIDS antiviral drugs , sympathomimetics , antineoplastics , hormonal contraceptives ; advise against these combinations Oral: treatment of depression, PMS symptoms; antiviral Topical: to treat puncture wounds, insect bites, crushed fingers or toes

saw palmetto

schisandra

squaw vine

St John’s wort

sweet violet flowers

Oral: treatment of respiratory disorders; emetic Increases effects of laxatives Oral: weight loss; prevents cancer; lowers blood glucose Advise caution with oral hypoglycaemic agents

tarragon

tea tree oil

Topical: antifungal, antibacterial; used to treat burns, insect bites, irritated skin, acne; used as a mouthwash

thyme

Topical: as liniment, gargle; to treat wounds Oral: antidiarrhoeal, relief of bronchitis, laryngitis

May increase sensitivity to light; warn against combining with photosensitivity-causing drugs ; also warn against combining with MAO inhibitors , SSRIs ; may cause serious adverse effects Oral: sedative and hypnotic; reduces anxiety, relaxes muscles Can cause severe liver damage; warn against use with barbiturates , alcohol , CNS depressants or antihistamines ; can cause serious sedation

valerian

went rice

Oral: cholesterol- and triglyceride-lowering effects Warn against use in pregnancy, liver disease, alcoholism, acute infection

white willow bark

Oral: treatment of fevers Advise caution with anticoagulants , NSAIDs , diuretics

xuan shen

Oral: lowers blood glucose; slows heart rate; treatment of heart failure Advise caution when taken with oral hypoglycaemic agents Oral: treatment of erectile dysfunction

Can affect blood pressure; CNS stimulant; has cardiac effects; manic episodes have been reported in individuals with psychiatric conditions; warn against use with SSRIs , tyramine-containing foods ; advise caution with tricyclic antidepressants

From McKenna, L. & Mirkov, S. (2014). McKenna’s Drug Handbook for Nursing and Midwifery (7th edn). Sydney: Lippincott Williams &Wilkins.