Medicine interactions with Ginger supplements
Drug interaction happens when a medicine is taken with another drug or food and the effects of the medicine are altered. Be cautious when taking ginger along with the following medications.
Moderate interactions with ginger supplements:
Ginger slows down blood clotting in some cases and should not be taken with other medications (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) that also slow down clotting as it will increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Medications that slow blood clotting include:
- aspirin
- clopidogrel (Plavix)
- diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others)
- ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others)
- naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others)
- dalteparin (Fragmin)
- enoxaparin (Lovenox)
- heparin
- warfarin (Coumadin)
- Phenprocoumon is often used in Europe to slow blood clotting. If taken along with ginger, phenprocoumon might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your phenprocoumon might need to be changed.
- Warfarin (Coumadin) is used to slow blood clotting and when taken along with ginger may increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of warfarin (Coumadin) might need to be changed.
Minor interactions with ginger supplements:
Be watchful when taking ginger along with medications for diabetes and high blood pressure. Certain studies show that ginger might decrease blood sugar and when used with diabetes medications that also lower blood sugar might cause your blood sugar to dip too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely and keep in mind that your diabetes medications might need to be changed. Some medicines that are used to lower blood sugar are:
- glimepiride (Amaryl)
- glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase)
- insulin
- metformin (Glucophage)
- pioglitazone (Actos)
- rosiglitazone (Avandia)
Ginger might also reduce blood pressure and when taken along with medications for blood pressure and heart disease might cause your blood pressure to drop too low or cause an irregular heartbeat. Some medications that are used for high blood pressure and heart disease include:
- nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
- verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
- diltiazem (Cardizem)
- isradipine (DynaCirc)
- felodipine (Plendil)
- amlodipine (Norvasc)
Are there any interactions with other supplements and herbs? There are no known interactions of ginger supplements with foods. In some cases ginger used along with other herbs and supplements that also slow blood clotting increases the risk of bleeding. Some of these herbs include:
- angelica
- clove
- danshen
- garlic
- ginkgo
- Panax ginseng
- red clover
- turmeric