Do Singulair, albuterol, loratadine, lamotrigine, and zonisamide interact with supplements?

  • Q: I have asthma, epilepsy, and acid reflux. I take Singulair, albuterol, loratadine, lamotrigine, zonisamide. I also take garlic, ginger, multivitamins, vitamin B12, calcium, Omega Red. I also have a hiatal hernia and high cholesterol but haven't found medicines that my body can handle. Do any of the supplements I take interact with the medications that I'm already taking?
  • A: Your question regards if the supplements that you are taking interact with your prescription medications. Many supplements are not FDA-approved medications. This means that the extensive testing that is performed on FDA-approved products including but not limited to safety, side effects, drug interactions, disease state issues, etc. has not been performed on supplements that are not FDA-approved. Because, my professional pharmacy references have limited information regarding herbs and supplements and their interactions, I cannot guarantee that all interactions are screened. Also papaya and Omega Red are not in my reference. According to Lexi-Comp, the following interactions are reported: Garlic and ginger both have a chance to enhance the risk of bleeding. Recommendation for this interaction is to either avoid the combination or to watch carefully for such things like bleeding, bruising, or altered mental status. The other interactions that were mentioned involve the fact that several of your medications such as the lamotrigine, loratadine, and zonisamide all have risks of being CNS depressants, which means that the combination of these medications can cause side effects such as ataxia (lack of muscle coordination), confusion, drowsiness, weakness, and respiratory depression. Jen Marsico, RPh
This question was answered on October 08, 2010.


E-mail address is required
For informational purposes only

Search Questions and Answers
