the "herbs" on NCLEX?

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

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

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

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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. :)

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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. :)

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Specializes in er, pediatric er.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.:)

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

:uhoh3:

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:rolleyes: :rotfl: :rotfl:

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

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I was asked about echinachea. Specifically, how it might interfere with immunosuppressants....

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For all of you reading this post, it is quite important that you also ask your patients which vitamins or other medications that they are taking but are not prescribed by their physician. You would be quite amazed at what you will here, some that you do not take any meds will be taking ten different herbs on a daily basis. They can interfere with or potentiate cardiac medications, prevent healing after surgery, etc.

So please remember the names of these drugs, not just for the NCLEX exam.

I use them on a daily basis when I am caring for adult patients......... :)

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