Letter to the Editor

Herbal Interaction with Warfarin

Authors: Tsung O. Cheng, MD

Abstract

The recent article on preventing warfarin-related bleeding1 is an excellent review on the subject. Unfortunately, the author failed to discuss herbal medicines, many of which interact with warfarin.2–5Because 33% of American patients take herbal medicines2 and as warfarin is one of the most commonly used cardiovascular drugs, physicians need to be aware of herbal interactions with warfarin.

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References

1. Glasheen JJ. Preventing warfarin-related bleeding. South Med J 2005;98:96–103.
 
2. Cheng TO. Herbal interactions with cardiac drugs. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:870–871.
 
3. Cheng TO. Ask patients which herbal drugs they smoke as well as eat. West J Med 2000;172:82.
 
4. Cheng TO. Ginseng-warfarin interaction. Am Coll Cardiol Curr Journal Review 2000;9:84.
 
5. Cheng TO. Potential interaction between soy milk and warfarin. Am Fam Phys 2004;70:1231.