Today, many people are trying out Ayurvedic products in their daily regimen for immunity, digestion, energy or stress. Concurrently, many of these people are using allopathic (conventional) medicines for their persistent health issues. This brings up an incredibly practical and pertinent issue: can they both be taken together?
Unfortunately, the only answer is it depends. The majority of ayurvedic supplements are safe to take with other conventional medications when taken in the right combinations, however there are some interactions that need to be taken into account. This article explains what you need to know before adding the two together, in a non-alarming, factual, clear way.
Recognizing potential methods for herb-drug interactions to occur
Herbs, like pharmaceutical drugs, are biologically active substances. They contain substances which may affect the way the body takes up, breaks down or removes other substances such as medicines. In pharmacology, it is known as herb-drug interaction, and though research on this topic is still in its infancy, a few trends are known.
There are two principal ways in which interaction can take place:
Pharmacokinetic interactions – herbs that alter the body's absorption, distribution, breakdown (metabolism) and elimination of a drug. This can lead to having stronger or weaker effects as intended.
Pharmacodynamic interactions - where an herb and a drug have similar or opposing effects on the body, potentially amplifying or reducing each other's action.
When the Combination is Generally Considered Low-Risk
Not all the Ayurvedic supplements pose a real risk of interaction. Generally, most healthy people, who are not taking sensitive medications, do not find that general-wellness formulations have a high risk of causing harm when used as recommended, such as Chyawanprash as a daily tonic, mild herbal teas for digestion or combinations of adaptogens as a general wellness blend. These risks are greater if:
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The supplement is taken in a high dose or concentrated extract form.
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Allopathic medicine has a narrow therapeutic window (small changes in dosage will have a great impact on its safety)
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The individual is a liver, kidney or heart patient who has an existing disease or condition that impacts upon the liver, kidney or heart's ability to be metabolized.
Categories of Allopathic Medicines That Warrant Extra Caution
Some types of prescription drugs need to be used with caution in conjunction with any type of herbal supplement, including Ayurvedic. These include:
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Anticoagulants / blood thinners (e.g. warfarin, aspirin) - Several herbs might intensify the effect of a medication that is used to prevent blood clots.
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Antidiabetic medications - some Ayurvedic herbs also are blood-sugar-lowering; they can be dangerous when taken together;
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Antihypertensive drugs - herbs with blood pressure-lowering properties could intensify the effect of these medications
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Thyroid medications - some adaptogens can affect the levels of thyroid hormone and interact with levothyroxine or other thyroid medications
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Immunosuppressants - herbs that support immune activity could theoretically work against these medications in transplant or autoimmune patients
Combining Ayurvedic medicines with Allopathic medicines safely.
If you are taking allopathic medicines, the aim is not to reject Ayurveda altogether, rather to deal with the combination with awareness and expert direction. Here are some simple steps to safely do that:
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Inform both practitioners. Inform your Ayurvedic physician of any/allopathic medicines you are using, and your physician of any supplements you are taking. Maintaining the two is the one most important safety measure.
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Don't take them at the same time. Taking Ayurvedic medicines and allopathic medicines 30-60 minutes apart can minimize the risk of any interaction with absorption.
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Use lower doses. Alternatively, if a new supplement is being added to existing medications, begin at a lower dose, and see how they react before upping the dose.
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Keep an eye out for and record changes. Keep an eye on your body's response, such as changes in energy, digestion, sleep, and/or the presence of symptoms related to the disease or illness being controlled by the medication and report to your doctor.
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Choose quality-certified products. Make use of supplements that are GMP certified and clearly labeled; product purity and the consistent dosing of the supplement will minimize unpredictability.
What is the Integrated Approach: Ayurveda and Allopathy Together?
Healthcare professionals in India, and elsewhere, are increasingly realising the importance of an integrative approach: where Ayurveda and conventional medicine work together rather than against one another, in a well-thought-out way. It is best accomplished when both practitioners are communicating and treatment is coordinated. The key strength of Ayurveda in aiding digestion, immunity and resilience will work in good synergy with conventional treatment, if prescribed carefully with the right supervision.
Our formulations are developed to be transparent and of high quality, with every product clearly labelled to help guide informed choices at Varah Healthcare. Visit varah.in and check with your health care provider before taking any new supplement at the same time you are taking any existing prescription.
Conclusion
It is not necessary to avoid taking ayurvedic medicines in combination with allopathic medicines, but proper awareness and communication with professionals are essential. Most low dose, general wellness supplements in Ayurveda are safe for most people, but those taking long term or sensitive medicines must never combine them themselves without checking with their doctor or an Ayurvedic practitioner. The aim of integrative wellness is to combine the best of both systems, and that's best done when it's planned, communicated and shared with your healthcare providers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I take Ashwagandha if I'm already on thyroid medication?
A: In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is recognized to help the body cope with stress and is commonly used as an adaptogen. It could affect the levels of thyroid hormones in the body, though, and may interact with some thyroid medicines such as levothyroxine. People taking thyroid medication should take both their doctor's and Ayurvedic doctor's advice before taking Ashwagandha.
Q2: Is it safe to use Triphala along with regular medicines?
A: Triphala is a popular Ayurvedic remedy for digestive support. It is very well tolerated, but since it can interact with some medicines' absorption from the gut, should be spaced at least 30-60 minutes from medicines prescribed. If you're taking an ongoing drug, it's best to consult with your physician.
Q3: If my doctor says it is safe for me to take ayurvedic medicine, should I inform them of this?
A: Yes, always. A general statement of "Ayurvedic is OK" is not an individualized examination of the supplement you take with your prescription drug. Let your doctor know the exact name and ingredients so they can indicate any particular concerns related to the product and your treatment.
Q4: What is the safe time interval between taking any Ayurvedic medicine and any allopathic medicine?
One hour or more of interval is usually recommended between doses to reduce the risk of interactions due to absorption. For some formulations or medicines, even longer time may be recommended. Your practitioner or doctor will be able to recommend the best time for you.
Q5: Is it safe for diabetics who are taking medicines to use Ayurvedic medicines?
In traditional use, several ayurvedic herbs like bitter gourd (Karela), fenugreek (Methi) and some formulations, are known to help maintain blood sugar level. This may lead to hypoglycemia when combined with other diabetics drugs. Individuals who are taking diabetes medications should never add any supplement from the Ayurvedic medicine category without the advice of their physician and should closely watch their blood sugar levels when taking any.