Amiodarone
Vitamin E - May Protect Against Side Effects | Chaparral, Comfrey, and Coltsfoot - Possible Harmful Interaction | St. John's Wort, Dong Quai - Possible Harmful Interaction
Trade Names
• Cordarone; Pacerone
Amiodarone is used to restore normal heart rhythm.
May Protect Against Side Effects
One of the problems with amiodarone is that it can cause injury to the lungs. One study suggests that vitamin E supplements might help prevent this side effect.1
Chaparral, Comfrey, and Coltsfoot
Possible Harmful Interaction
The herbs chaparral ( Larrea tridentata or L. mexicana), comfrey (Symphytum officinale), and coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) contain liver-toxic substances. Because amiodarone can also be hard on the liver, combining these herbs with the medication is not advisable.
Possible Harmful Interaction
Amiodarone has been reported to cause increased sensitivity to the sun, amplifying the risk of sunburn or skin rash. Because St. John's wort and dong quai may also cause this problem, taking these herbal supplements during amiodarone therapy might add to this risk.
It may be a good idea to wear a sunscreen or protective clothing during sun exposure if you take one of these herbs while using amiodarone.
References [ + ]
1. Kachel DL, et al. Amiodarone-induced injury of human pulmonary artery endothelial cells: Protection by alpha-tocopherol. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 254: 1107–1112, 1990.
Last reviewed December 2015 by EBSCO CAM Review Board
Last Updated: 12/15/2015