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7 Supplements That Interact With LipitorAnd Why You Should Be Talking to Your Doctor About Any Drugs and Supplements You're TakingBy Drs. Todd Mexico and Brandon Blood Medications by their very nature impact the delicate biochemical orchestra that takes place in our bodies. These medications obviously are intended to improve the function of a given system, but we all know that medications have negative side effects as well. Since many people also take one or more nutritional supplements (particularly multivitamins), it's also important to recognize that many medications interact both positively and negatively with supplements. Whether you're taking medication, nutritional supplements, both, or neither, it's of vital importance to understand this relationship and ensure that you, your family, your friends and everyone you know understands it. Let's take a look at one of the most widely prescribed prescription drugs, Lipitor, as an example:
How Supplements Can Improve Lipitor's Performance CoQ10: CoQ10 synthesis is impaired by Lipitor. This side effect is common, as Lipitor reduces the production of CoQ10 , which is an important enzyme involved in energy production. Lipitor is also known to cause reduced energy levels, so supplementation with CoQ10 may be recommended for patients taking Lipitor to help restore enzyme depletion caused by this drug and to help combat decreased energy levels.
Garlic (Allium sativum): Garlic may increase Lipitor's effectiveness, in that it is thought to reduce cholesterol levels because it contains certain compounds [s-allyl-cysteine (SAC), s-ethyll-cysteine (SEC), and s-propyl-cysteine (SPC)] that inhibit the production of cholesterol in the liver. Fish Oil: Omega-3 fatty acids may improve lipid profiles when combined with statins. Fish oil contains large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). These fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and help to reduce overall triglyceride levels. Selenium: May enhance the cholesterol-lowering effect of Lipitor. Low selenium levels have been linked to hypercholesterolemia; increasing your selenium levels could therefore reduce your risk of high cholesterol. How Supplements Can Interfere With Lipitor's Performance Magnesium: May Interfere with Lipitor's absorption. For this reason, it's important to take the drug and supplement at different times during the day (at least two hours apart). Talk to your doctor for additional information. Vitamin B3 (Niacin): This is a tricky one, as niacin may also increase high-density lipoprotein ("good") cholesterol and is often beneficial for patients taking Lipitor. However, too much niacin may lead to an increased risk of rhabdomyolysis (rapid breakdown of muscle fibers resulting in the release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream) when taken with Lipitor. Better Safe Than Sorry: Talk to Your Doctor First
Todd Mexico, DC is a practicing chiropractor and co-owner of eMedFX.com, a Web-based search tool designed to analyze prescription medications and nutritional supplements for potential interactions. Brandon Blood, DC is a practicing chiropractor and co-owner of eMedFX.com, a Web-based search tool designed to analyze prescription medications and nutritional supplements for potential interactions. |