Eleuthero, Cautions
Insomnia and agitation can occur at higher doss or in sensitive peopl.
If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product: high or low blood pressure, heart problems (e.g., abnormal heart rhythm, rheumatic heart disease), bleeding/clotting problems, a certain mental/mood disorder (schizophrenia), overactive immune system disorders (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis), conditions that are affected by estrogen (e.g., endometriosis, uterine fibroids, cancer of the breast/uterus/ovary).
In rare cases, eleuthero may contribute to diarrhea, elevation of blood pressure, and mild blood-platelet anti-aggregation properties. Taking eleuthero too close to bedtime may interfere with sleep.
Siberian ginseng may lower or raise blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar more carefully while using this product, and report any unusual results or symptoms to your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication.
Liquid forms of this product may contain sugar and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely.
This product may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
This product is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before using this product.
It is unknown if this product passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Commonly adulterated with Periploca or Acanthopanax spp.
Case Report:
Subarachnoid hemorrhage: In a 53-year-old woman following use of an herbal supplement containing red clover, dong quai, and Siberian ginseng for hot flashes associated with perimenopause. Symptoms resolved after supplement discontinuation.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: medications/products that may increase your risk of bleeding (e.g., "blood thinners" such as warfarin and heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, herbal products such as danshen/garlic/ginger), MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine), drugs that weaken the immune system (e.g., corticosteroids such as prednisone, drugs to prevent organ transplant rejection such as cyclosporine), drugs to treat diabetes (e.g., glyburide, insulin), "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide, bumetanide, ethacrynic acid), other herbal products (e.g., fenugreek, willow bark).
Aspirin may also increase the risk of bleeding when used with this product. If your doctor has prescribed low doses of aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), you should continue to take the aspirin. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Caffeine can increase the side effects of this product. Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, certain soft drinks) and eating large amounts of chocolate.
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could increase the side effects of ginseng. Decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine) and stimulants (e.g., caffeine, ephedra, ma huang) may worsen trouble sleeping, fast heartbeat, and increased blood pressure. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
If you are taking Siberian ginseng, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs/other products that cause drowsiness such as: anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone), other herbal products (e.g., kava, valerian), antihistamines in allergy and cough-and-cold products (e.g., diphenhydramine).
Elevated serum digoxin levels in a patient taking digoxin and Siberian ginseng