Vitamins and Herbal Supplements

Taking vitamins and herbal supplements during treatment can create unwanted side effects and/or interact negatively with other medicines. Let the doctor or nurse know about any vitamins or herbal supplements you take, especially if you are scheduled for surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a special procedure.

These vitamins, medicines and supplements can increase the risk of bleeding:

• Aspirin
• Fish oil
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Gingko
• Ginseng
• Green Tea
• Vitamin E

These supplements can cause other health problems:

• Echinacea - Alters immune function, increases the risk of allergic reaction and counteracts with immunosuppressant medications
• Ephedra - Raises blood pressure and heart rate
• Ginseng - Lowers blood sugar levels
• Kava and Valerian - Make sedatives and anesthesia more potent
• St. John’s Wort - Interferes with many medicines and increases sunburn risk

 People with a history of estrogen receptor-positive cancer, should not use:

• Black cohosh
• Ginseng
• PC-SPES
• Red clover
• Saw palmetto
• Wild yam