The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point
  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

    What not to take before surgery

    OK, you’re scheduled for surgery, and you take herbals.

    Does your surgeon know what you take?

    Be smart. If you use any of the herbals on this list, tell your surgeon.

    • Danshen: May cause bleeding
    • Dong quai: May cause bleeding
    • Echinacea: May interfere with immune functioning, may alter effectiveness of immunosuppressant drugs given after transplant surgery
    • Ephedra: May cause abnormal heartbeat, may cause extreme high blood pressure and coma if combined with certain antidepressants and anesthesia
    • Feverfew: May cause bleeding
    • Garlic: May cause bleeding, may interfere with normal blood clotting
    • Ginger: May cause bleeding
    • Ginkgo: May cause bleeding
    • Ginseng: May cause bleeding, may cause rapid heartbeat, may cause high blood pressure
    • Goldenseal: May cause or worsen high blood pressure
    • Kava: May enhance sedative effects of anesthesia
    • Licorice (not including licorice candy): May increase blood pressure
    • Senna: May cause electrolyte imbalance
    • St. John’s wort: May increase or decrease the effects of some drugs used during and after surgery
    • Valerian: May interfere with the effects of anesthesia

    Thanks to MayoClinic.com.

    9/10/06 11:26 JR

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