Drug Interactions:
Clopidogrel
Trade Names:
•
Plavix
Clopidogrel, a drug that makes the blood clot less easily, is used to reduce the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and other conditions caused by blood clots.
Chondroitin
Possible Harmful Interaction
Based on chondroitin’s chemical similarity to the anticoagulant drug heparin, it has been suggested that chondroitin might have anticoagulant effects as well. There are no case reports of any problems relating to this, and studies suggest that chondroitin has at most a mild anticoagulant effect.4 Nonetheless, prudence suggests that chondroitin should not be combined with clopidogrel except under physician supervision.
Reishi
Possible Harmful Interaction
One study suggests that reishi impairs platelet clumping.1 This creates the potential for an interaction with any blood-thinning medication.
Vinpocetine
Possible Harmful Interaction
The substance vinpocetine is sold as a dietary supplement for the treatment of age-related memory loss and impaired mental function.
Vinpocetine is thought to inhibit blood platelets from forming clots.2 For this reason, it should not be combined with medications or natural substances that impair the blood’s ability to clot normally as this may lead to excessive bleeding. One study found only a minimal interaction between the blood-thinning drug warfarin (Coumadin) and vinpocetine, but prudence dictates caution anyway.3
View References
Last reviewed August 2002 by Medical Review Board
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