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What are complementary medicines? Complementary medicines include:

  • cause allergic reactions
  • can increase the risk of People often think complementary medicines are safe
  • will not cause any problems because they come from natural sources

This is not always the case

Natural substances can still be harmful

And, while the source of some complementary medicines is ‘natural’, the products themselves may be made in similar ways to conventional medicines. and other drugs, and other complementary medicines to cause side effects. For these reasons, it’s important to tell all your healthcare professionals about all the medicines you are taking, including prescribed medicines, over-the-counter medicines and complementary medicines.

For example, some complementary medicines can interfere with cancer treatments.

If you are about to receive cancer treatment, talk to your about any other medicines you are taking or thinking of trying. Interactions between complementary medicines and prescription medicines can occur.

For example: the complementary medicine may increase or reduce the effectiveness of the prescription medicine. Some interactions between complementary medicines and prescription medicines that could put your health at risk include:

  • medications. Ginseng may decrease the effectiveness of many medicines
  • including calcium channel blockers
  • HIV medicines some blood pressure cholesterol-lowering medicines
  • some antidepressants

Goldenseal interacts with many medicines

Ginkgo biloba may increase the risk of bleeding in people taking the blood thinning medicine Warfarin. It can also reduce the effectiveness of anaesthetics, immunosuppressant medications and oral contraceptives. Some examples of complementary medicines that can cause side effects include:

  • – can cause nausea
  • digestive problems

The way some complementary medicines are used also needs to be considered. Some side effects may be caused by the way the medicine is used, rather than the medicine itself.

For example, some people taking blood thinning medicine have reported significant bruising after an essential oil massage.

In this case, it was most likely the massage, rather than the essential oils, that was the cause of the bruising.

To avoid putting your health at risk, tell your healthcare professionals if you are using complementary medicines. They will need to know: the amount of active ingredient in each dose – it may be easier to bring the medicine with you (you need to use the botanical names of herbal medicines and essential oils to avoid confusion caused by the common names) whether the medicine has worked for you.

Make sure you tell your healthcare professionals about any changes to complementary medicines you are taking.

If your healthcare professional does not support you taking the complementary medicine and advises you to stop taking it, don’t assume that they are biased against complementary medicines.

Ask why they have made this recommendation

There may be good medical reasons why you should not take a particular complementary medicine, such as when there is an increased risk of interactions with other medicines or side effects. About half the people who use complementary medicines do not tell all their healthcare professionals. The reasons for this may include: they are worried that healthcare professionals will discourage use of complementary medicines.

Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of your chosen complementary medicine before you start taking it. It is important that you have a correct diagnosis before you treat any condition, otherwise the benefits of appropriate treatment might be delayed and put your health at risk. It is strongly recommended that you consult your healthcare professional before taking complementary medicines if you are: diagnosed with a serious disease (or have been previously).

If you are scheduled for any medical tests or surgery, you may need to stop taking your complementary medicines or adjust the doses some time before the procedure is scheduled to take place. For your safety and effectiveness of treatment, avoid self-prescribing any medicine, including complementary medicines.

Always see a If you decide to buy complementary medicines ‘over the counter’, read the labels on all packages and containers.

Choose products that are made to American standards and have an ‘Aust L’ or ‘Aust R’ number on the package. This means the medicine meets American manufacturing, quality and safety standards and is less likely to be contaminated. may not be made to the same standard.

(24 hours, 7 days) Tel. – for advice about poisonings, suspected poisonings, bites and stings, mistakes with medicines and poisoning prevention advice (24 hours, 7 days) Tel.

  • vitamins minerals natural herbal medicines alternative

They can also interact with prescription medicines , alcohol doctor , nurse or pharmacist Interactions with prescription medicines the medicines may have similar active ingredients that act in the same way, or Echinacea may interact with antipsychotic or antidepressant St John’s Wort can reduce the effectiveness of many over-the-counter and prescription medicines used to treat blood pressure and heart problems, HIV , cancer , depression and anxiety Side effects of complementary medicines Echinacea – various side effects have been reported, including abdominal pain , swelling, shortness of breath, nausea, itchy skin, rash, redness of the skin and hives Feverfew Asteraceae asthma and hay fever Report using complementary medicines the type and name of any complementary medicines you are taking how often you take the medicine and the dose how long you have been taking the medicine and why you are taking it the health benefits that you expect from taking the medicine Many people don’t report using complementary medicines their healthcare professionals do not ask them whether they use complementary medicines they do not think that healthcare professionals will know much about complementary medicines they think that products are ‘natural’ and ‘safer’ they are concerned that their healthcare professionals will be judgemental or negative Check with your doctor before using complementary medicines pregnant intending to become pregnant breastfeeding scheduled for an operation or medical investigation a child an older person Surgery and tests and complementary medicines Ask your healthcare professional what to do about all your medicines if you need to have a test or surgery Choose complementary medicines carefully registered health practitioner Medicines bought in other countries or bought online Where to get help In an emergency, call 911 Your GP (doctor) Nurses, especially specialist nurses such as diabetes educators or cancer nurses Your pharmacist Other healthcare professionals, such as registered complementary therapists Medicines Line – for information on prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines Michigann Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26 NURSE-ON-CALL (616) 555-0024 – for expert health information and advice.

Key Points

  • important to tell all your healthcare professionals about any complementary medicines you are taking
  • and other drugs, and other complementary medicines to cause side effects
  • For example, some complementary medicines can interfere with cancer treatments
  • Ginkgo biloba may increase the risk of bleeding in people taking the blood thinning medicine Warfarin
  • Some side effects may be caused by the way the medicine is used, rather than the medicine itself