Possible Drug Interactions with:Carnitine (L-Carnitine)

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use carnitine without first talking to your healthcare provider.

AZT

In a laboratory study, L-carnitine supplements protected muscle tissue against toxic side effects from treatment with AZT, a medication used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Additional studies are needed to confirm whether L-carnitine would also have this effect in people.

Doxorubicin

Treatment with L-carnitine may protect heart cells against the toxic side effects of doxorubicin, a medication used to treat cancer, without reducing the effectiveness of this chemotherapy agent.

Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin, a strong medication used for severe acne, can cause abnormalities in liver function, measured by a blood test, as well as elevations in cholesterol and muscle pain and weakness. These symptoms are similar to those seen with carnitine deficiency. Researchers in Greece showed that a large group of people who had side effects from isotretinoin got better when taking L-carnitine compared to those who took a placebo.

Valproic Acid

The anticonvulsant medication valproic acid may lower blood levels of carnitine and can cause carnitine deficiency. Taking L-carnitine supplements may prevent deficiency and may also reduce the side effects of valproic acid.

Drug Interactions

Doxorubicin
Isotretinoin
Valproic Acid and Derivatives
Zidovudine

Possible Interactions with: Cysteine

Also listed as: Acetylcysteine; L-Cysteine; N-acetylcysteine; NAC

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use cysteine supplements without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Blood Pressure Medications, Angiotensin-converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors NAC may enhance the blood pressure-lowering effects of ACE inhibitors, medications commonly used to treat high blood pressure. Examples of ACE inhibitors include benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, quenipril, ramepril, and trandolapril.

Immunosuppressive Medications

Treatment with NAC may enhance the effectiveness of immunosuppressive medications such as azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, prednisolone, or prednisone. More research in this area is needed.

Cisplatin and Doxorubicin

Laboratory and animal studies have suggested that NAC may reduce the toxic effects associated with both cisplatin and doxorubicin, medications used to treat a variety of cancers. However, scientific studies are needed to see if these effects apply to people.

Nitroglycerin and Isosorbide

Although NAC may enhance the effectiveness of nitroglycerin and isosorbide (two medications commonly used to treat chest pain), this combination may also increase the risk of side effects such as severe headaches and may lead to abnormally low blood pressure.

Oxiconazole

Topical applications of NAC may increase the effectiveness of oxiconazole, an antifungal medication used for athlete's foot.

Drug Interactions

ACE Inhibitors
Doxorubicin
Immunosuppressive Medications
Isosorbide Dinitrate
Nitroglycerin
Oxiconazole

Also listed as: ALA

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use ALA without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Blood-thinning Medications

Omega-3 fatty acids may increase the blood-thinning effects of warfarin, aspirin, or other blood-thinning medications. While the combination of aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids may actually be helpful under certain circumstances (such as heart disease), they should only be taken together under the guidance and supervision of your healthcare provider.

Cholesterol-lowering Medications

Following certain nutritional guidelines, including increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet and reducing the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, may allow a group of cholesterol lowering medications known as "statins" (such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin) to work more effectively.

Cyclosporine

Taking omega-3 fatty acids during cyclosporine therapy may reduce toxic side effects (such as high blood pressure and kidney damage) associated with this medication in transplant patients.

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

In an animal study, treatment with omega-3 fatty acids reduced the risk of ulcers from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). More research is needed to evaluate whether omega-3 fatty acids would have the same effects in people.

Drug Interactions

Blood-thinning Medications
Cholesterol-lowering Medications
Cyclosporine
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Also listed as: Allium sativum

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use garlic supplements without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Antiplatelet medications

Garlic may exaggerate the activity of medications that inhibit the action of platelets in the body. Examples of such medications include indomethacin, dipyridamole, and aspirin.

Blood-thinning medications

There have been reports of a possible interaction between garlic and warfarin that could increase the risk of bleeding in people taking this blood thinning medication. Therefore, when taking medications that may thin the blood, such as aspirin and warfarin, you should refrain from consuming large quantities of garlic, either fresh or commercially prepared.

Diabetes medications

When used with a class of medications for diabetes called sulfonylureas, garlic may lower blood sugar considerably. Medications from this class include chlorpropamide, glimepiride, and glyburide. When using garlic with these medications, blood sugars must be followed closely.

Protease inhibitors

Garlic may reduce blood levels of protease inhibitors, a medication used to treat people with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), including indinavir, ritinavir, and saquinavir.

Other

It is thought that garlic may behave similarly to a class of cholesterol lowering medications called statins (such as atorvastatin, pravastatin, and lovastatin) and to a class of blood pressure lowering medications called ACE inhibitors (including enalapril, captopril, and lisinopril). It is not known, therefore, whether it is safe to take this supplement in large quantities with these medications or not. This possible interaction has never been tested in scientific studies.

Drug Interactions

Blood-thinning Medications
Indomethacin
Protease Inhibitors
Sulfonylureas

Also listed as: Aloe Vera

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use aloe vera without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Antidiabetic Medications

The combination of aloe vera and glyburide, a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, may help control blood sugar and triglyceride (fat) levels in the blood. People with diabetes who use aloe latex either alone or in combination with other medications must be monitored closely by health care providers to avoid potential complications from low blood sugar levels.

Hydrocortisone

Aloe gel may enhance the ability of hydrocortisone to reduce swelling.

Digoxin and Diuretics

Because oral aloe can decrease levels of potassium, aloe latex should not be used by individuals taking diuretics or digoxin (a medication used to treat irregular heart rhythms and congestive heart failure). These medications lower potassium levels in the body, so a combination of aloe and digoxin or diuretics can result in dangerously low levels of this important mineral.

Drug Interactions

Digoxin
Diuretics
Glyburide
Hydrocortisone-containing Medications

Possible Interactions with: Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA)

Also listed as: ALA

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use ALA without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Blood-thinning Medications

Omega-3 fatty acids may increase the blood-thinning effects of warfarin, aspirin, or other blood-thinning medications. While the combination of aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids may actually be helpful under certain circumstances (such as heart disease), they should only be taken together under the guidance and supervision of your healthcare provider.

Cholesterol-lowering Medications

Following certain nutritional guidelines, including increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet and reducing the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, may allow a group of cholesterol lowering medications known as "statins" (such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin) to work more effectively.

Cyclosporine

Taking omega-3 fatty acids during cyclosporine therapy may reduce toxic side effects (such as high blood pressure and kidney damage) associated with this medication in transplant patients.

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

In an animal study, treatment with omega-3 fatty acids reduced the risk of ulcers from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). More research is needed to evaluate whether omega-3 fatty acids would have the same effects in people.

Drug Interactions

Blood-thinning Medications
Cholesterol-lowering Medications
Cyclosporine
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)