by atlanta

Updated Jul 15, 2005 at 12:30 AM by atlanta

I heard several of you who took the NCLEX mentioned about herbs on the exam?

Generally, these topics are in not my review books..

I have been wondering what are "the herbs"... I am taking NCLEX next week and I think this might help...

Herbal Medications such as Ginkoba, St. Johns' Wort, etc. Even garlic pills.
They can interfere with some medications.

Remember that even digoxin started off as an herbal medication.

just go to yahoo search and type St. John's Wort. i also have no book esp. for herbals but able to read infos by surfing the net. hope this helps.

wishing you positive result on your upcoming exam.

Ginko causes bleeding. So, if you get a ? about a medication that you would be concerned about if your pt. has a clotting disorder (hemophelia, ITP, ect.),choose Ginko if it is on there.

herbs

I took the NCLEX yesterday and i had three questions. One was about the use of garlic with blood thinners, another was about black cohosh and hot flashes, and the last was about ginko. Good luck.

I have so many NCLEX books but only bounce between 2-3. Well I picked up this new one called Exam Cram NCLEX RN.

They have these herbals in the book.

Feverfew- it prevents and treats migraines, arthritis, and fever. This herb should not be taken with coumadin, aspirin, NSAIDS, thrombolytics or antiplatlets meds because it prolongs the bleeding time.

Ginseng~ this is used as an anti-inflammatory. It decreases the effects of anitcoags and NSAIDS. Use with caution with estrogen because it can cause clotting and lead to cardiac disease. Should not be taken with corticosteroids because the combinations of these to can result in extremely high levels of corticosteroids. High doses can cause liver problems.

Ginko~ This improves memory and can used to treat depression. It also improves peripheral circulation. Should not be taken with MAO inhibitors, anitcoags and antiplatelets. It increases the bleeding time in clients taking NSAIDS, cephalosporins and valproic acid.

Echinacea~ Used to treat colds, fever and UTI's. May interfere with immunosuppressive agents, methotrexate, and ketoconizole.

Kava-kava~ used to treat insomnia and mild muscle aches and pains. INcreases the effect on the CNS suppressants and decreases the effects of levodopa. Also increases the effect of MAOI's.

St Johns Wort~ used ot treat mild to moderate depression. Increases adverse CNS effects when used with alcohol or antidepressants meds.

Ma Huang~ used to treat asthma and hay fever, weight loss, and increase energy levels. Increases the effects of MAOI's, sympathominmetics, theophylline, and cardiac glycosides.

I haven't taken the NCLEX but reading here made me look up in my books something about herbs.

I hope that helps. Look up Garlic too.

Mosby makes a herbal drug guide although I can not think of the name of it right now. They sell it at Barnes and Noble, its with all the other nursing type books and drug guides. I know you are very close to taking the NCLEX and I'm sure you don't have time for a new book right now but I did want to let you know it was available just in case you want to run out and get it. It could also be great for future reference.

here is the herb sit

http://caring4you.net/herbs.html here it is my friend...good luck on the test....

i took nclex yesterday. i was asked about ginger root and echinacea i had 2 questions on herbs. still waiting to see if i passed its driving me nuts

Herbs

I typed some herbs from my pharmacology NCLEX book
I hope it will help
BILBERRY:
Description: prevents production and releases histamine and prostaglandin
Relaxes smooth muscles
Inhibits platelet aggregation
Reduces permeability and strengthens capillary wall membrane

Use:
For simple diarrhea
Prevention and treatment of the eyes disorders
Diabetes
Antioxidant varicose veins and hemorrhoids

Cautions:
May increase coagulation time
May interfere with iron if taken internally
Use cautiously with ASA, anticoagulants
Contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation

BLACK COHOSH
Description: Binds to estrogen receptors , estrogen – like activity

Use:
For PMS, menopausal symptoms
Promotes labor
Decrease blood pressure
Treatments of snake bites
For dysmenorrhea, rheumatism, diuretic, sedative

Caution:
Contraindicated with antihypertensive, cause bradycardia, hypotension, joint pain, in pregnancy only to induce labor

ECHINACEA
Improve immunity system and activates T lymphocytes, reduce inflammation

Use:
Prevention or reduction of symptoms of cold/ influenza
Boost immunity system
Treatment for herpes simplex and Candida
Improve healing

Regime should consist 8 weeks on and 1 week off, because in prolonged use it can suppress the immunity and hepatotoxicity.

Cautions:
Don’t use for HIV/AIDS
Not with immunosuppressant
Contraindicated with alcoholism, children and pregnancy, lactation

FEVERFEW
Description: inhibits platelets aggregation
Suppress production of prostaglandin
Inhibits release of serotonin

Uses:
Migraine, menstrual pain, Asthma, dermatitis, psoriasis
Recommended dosage 50 to 125mg dried herb with or after meals

Adverse effects:
Allergic reaction,
Lip and tongue swelling’
Palpitations, increased menstrual flow
Sudden withdrawal may cause muscle ache and stiffness
May interfere with clotting mechanisms, not be used with anticoagulants
Not for pregnant

GARLIC
Inhibits platelet aggregation
Reduction of cholesterol
Antifungal
Antibacterial and antiviral

Use:
Reduction of cholesterol
Treat hypertension
Reduce risk of stroke
Anticancer
Antispasmodic, expectorants
Caution:
Avoid ASA, Warfarin and other herbs affecting coagulation
May increase effect of diabetic drugs
May cause;
Vertigo, garlic breath, GI irritation, nausea and vomiting
Contraindicated in pregnancy and GI ulcers, bleeding disorders

GINGER
USES:
Antiemetic, improve appetite, treatment for motion sickness
Diuretic, digestion aid, dyspepsia, relief of muscle pain, antitumor, antioxidant, antimicrobial

Caution:
Adv Effect:
Headache, anxiety, insomnia, elevated blood pressure, tachycardia, asthma attach, postmenopausal bleeding

Not be used with bilberry, feverfew, garlic, ginkgo, or other anticoagulants like ASA

GINKGO
Use:
Promote cerebral vasodilatation to improve short term memory
Peripheral diseases like Raynaud’s disease
Treatment of short term memory loss and improve concentration
Improvement of early stage senility of Alzheimer’s type

Not to be used with anticoagulants
Avoid use of unprocessed ginkgo leaves, contain urushiol responsible for itch and poison Ivy

GINSENG KOREAN
Uses:
Improve glycosylated hemoglobin and cholesterol levels
Most common use is for fatigue mental or physical
Treatment with hepatotoxicity and alcoholism
Improve body ability to reduce stress and prevent diseases
Improve psychomotor performance
Regulation of the blood glucose in Diabetes type II

Adv. Reactions:
Insomnia, palpitation and pruritus. Avoid contaminant use with caffeine.

GINSENG SIBERIAN
Use:
elevates lymphocyte T count, boost for immunity system
Enhance physical and mental performance under stress
Little consensus on dosing with wide variations, ginseng free period of 2-3 wks every 4-8 weeks

Contraindications in pregnancy, premenopausal women, hypertension, CNS stimulants

HAWTHORN
Use:
Acts as antioxidant that decreases damage by free radicals to cardiovascular system by increasing levels of vit. C
Decreases peripheral vascular resistance to decrease blood pressure and act like ACE inhibitor
Increases strength of myocardial contraction and decrease heart rate
- treat mild hypertension
- treatment of atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis
- prevent and treatment of chronic angina and treatment of early congestive heart failure

Cautions:
Contraindicated with concomitant use of prescription antihypertensive or nitrates
Adv. Effects:
Nausea, fatigue, perspiration and cutaneous eruption of the hands, sedation

MILK THISTLE
Stimulates regeneration of the liver
Uses:
Reduces hepatotoxicity, cirrhosis, hepatitis

Cross allergy to ragweed


SAW PALMETTO
Similar effects like PROSCAR
No effect on prostatic-specific antigen
USES:
treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia( BPH)
Lay uses: treatment of asthma, bronchitis, treatment of gynecomastia

Cautions:
May interfere FE absorption
Supervision by health care provider for dg BPH





ST. JOHN’S WORT
Inhibits reuptake of serotonin
USES:
for depression and positive mood
NOT FOR TREATMENT OF SEVEWRE DEPRESSION OR SUICIDAL IDEATION

Caution:
Not to be used with other antidepressants, SSRI, MAOI, or food containing tyramine
Not to be used with opiates, OTC cold or flu
May cause photosensitivity
May decrease digoxin levels
Contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation or children

VALERIAN ROOT
Action similar to benzodiazepines, but non-addicting, non dependence, no morning hangover

USES:
Sedative, reduction of anxiety, treatment of insomnia
Cautions:
Not to be used together with other sedatives or antidepressants
May cause hepatotoxicity : monitor liver function and avoid se in hepatic dysfunction