Saturday, 20 October 2012

Herbal remedies


Which of the following DECREASES the anticoagulant effect of warfarin?

a) Garlic
b) Glucosamine
c) Echinacea
d) Evening primrose oil
e) St Johns wort


Answer: e

Explanation
St Johns wort is a herbal remedy used for earaches and depression. It contains around
ten active ingredients. It is an enzyme inducer of cytochrome P450 and can therefore
increase the metabolism and decrease the effect of warfarin. All of the other four herbal
remedies have some level of evidence to support an increase in anticoagulant activity
or contribute towards anticoagulation.

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