Health Tips - Things To Remember Before Going Surgery
Some Herbal Supplement May Caused Possible Complications.......
Before going for SURGERY ...RTemember this
Going For Surgery? Remember This..
My doctor colleagues were quite puzzled recently when a patient, after undergoing routine surgery,
took a longer time than usual to wake up after GA was completed and stopped.
The patient required an overnight stay in the ICU before finally waking up 24 hours later! It was subsequently
discovered that the patient had been taking supplements, in this case, St John’s Wort.
Before undergoing surgery, one important info which must be disclosed to your doctor is whether you are
taking herbal supplements. This is often left out by patients when doctors enquire on what medications they
are taking, as often many people do not equate medicines with supplements.
Many intensive care physicians including anaesthesiologists will tell you of their experience with patients who
take a long time to wake up after surgery; develop fits upon recovery or bleed excessively after surgery;
all due to the taking of herbals.
Incidents like the above used to mystify many doctors previously but evidence is now clear that several
over-the- counter supplements can interfere with the various actions of medications used during surgery.
Take a look below at some common examples:
Herbal supplement Possible complications
Aloe vera
May cause increased intestinal muscle movement to digest food (peristalsis), may decrease effectiveness
of water pills (diuretics) given after surgery
Bromelain
May cause bleeding or interact with antibiotics such as amoxicillin or tetracyclines
Danshen
May cause bleeding
Dong quai
May cause bleeding
Echinacea
May interfere with immune functioning, may alter effectiveness of immunosuppressant drugs given after transplant surgery
Ephedra
May cause abnormal heartbeat, may cause extreme high blood pressure and coma if combined with certain antidepressants and anesthesia
Feverfew
May cause bleeding
Garlic
May cause bleeding, may interfere with normal blood clotting
Ginger
May cause bleeding
Ginkgo
May cause bleeding
Ginseng
May cause bleeding, may cause rapid heartbeat, may cause high blood pressure
Goldenseal
May cause or worsen swelling and high blood pressure
Kava
May enhance sedative effects of anesthesia
Licorice (not including licorice candy)
May increase blood pressure
Omega-3 fatty acids
May cause bleeding if taken in doses greater than 3 grams a day
Senna
May cause electrolyte imbalance
St. John wort
May increase or decrease the effects of some drugs used during and after surgery
Valerian
May prolong the effects of anesthesia
Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) is now implicated in the cause of fits or seizures following general anaesthesia.
Some points to note if you are undergoing planned surgery:
1. Remember that the list of medications that you need to reveal to your doctor includes all supplements,
2. Some of these herbals may have to be stopped more than 2 weeks prior to planned surgery.
3. In emergency surgery, remember to reveal to your doctor and next-of-kin what you are taking so that some
4. Some people believe if something is natural, it is safe. That is not necessarily true. If in doubt, show