Turmeric Drug Interactions
Interaction between turmeric and drugs
Turmeric has a warm nature, a refreshing taste, and bitterness. It belongs to the liver and spleen meridians. In medical applications, it interacts with a variety of drugs, and doctors and patients need to be cautious.
1. Interaction with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs
Some components in turmeric have weak anticoagulant properties. If taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs such as warfarin, aspirin, and clopidogrel, it may increase the risk of bleeding. Because of the superposition of the two effects, it affects the coagulation mechanism of the human body. There have been clinical cases in which patients take aspirin daily to prevent cardiovascular diseases and take health products containing turmeric by themselves. Not long after, they have symptoms such as bleeding gums and skin ecchymosis. This is due to the interaction between the two, resulting in excessive inhibition of coagulation function. Therefore, when using such drugs in combination, close monitoring of coagulation indicators, such as international standard ratio (INR), platelet function, etc., and adjusting the drug dose according to the results.
Second, the interaction with hypoglycemic drugs
Studies show that turmeric may have a certain hypoglycemic effect. If used in combination with hypoglycemic drugs such as metformin and insulin, it may reduce blood sugar too low. Turmeric can affect the activity of enzymes related to glucose metabolism or enhance insulin sensitivity, and cooperate with hypoglycemic drugs to increase hypoglycemic intensity. If patients use turmeric and hypoglycemic drugs at the same time, they should measure blood sugar frequently and adjust the dose of hypoglycemic drugs according to blood sugar value to prevent hypoglycemia. Light cases may have symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, and hand shaking, and severe cases may cause coma and endanger life.
Third, the interaction with antihypertensive drugs
Turmeric also has a potential impact on blood pressure. Take it with antihypertensive drugs such as nifedipine and captopril, or enhance the antihypertensive effect and cause hypotension. Turmeric may work with antihypertensive drugs to regulate blood pressure through mechanisms such as dilating blood vessels and regulating the angiotensin system. During the period of patient co-use, blood pressure should be measured regularly to avoid actions that cause orthostatic hypotension such as sudden standing up. If there are symptoms of hypotension such as dizziness, fatigue, and blackness, seek medical attention in time to adjust the drug.
IV. Interaction with sedative-hypnotic drugs
Turmeric may have a certain sedative effect. Combined with sedative-hypnotic drugs such as phenobarbital and diazepam, or enhance the inhibitory effect of the central nervous system, making patients drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness and other adverse reactions aggravated. The combination of the two will over-inhibit nerve excitability. Patients who use such drugs, if they need to use turmeric, be sure to inform their doctor, who will weigh the pros and cons, adjust the dose of the drug or change the treatment plan to ensure the safety of the drug.
In summary, although turmeric has many medicinal values, when combined with the above drugs, the interaction needs to be fully considered. Before taking medication, patients should inform their doctors in detail of the medications they use, including health care products. Doctors should evaluate the risks according to individual circumstances, guide safe and rational medication, and avoid adverse events.
