Feverfew is a medicinal herb primarily used to prevent and alleviate discomfort associated with migraine headaches and arthritis. Although treatment with feverfew may be beneficial for certain people, this medicinal herb may not be appropriate for people taking medications such as Coumadin, also called warfarin. For this reason, discuss the medication's interactions with feverfew with your doctor before you take this herbal treatment.
Enhances Blood Thinning
Feverfew prevents platelets -- a component of blood -- from clumping together naturally in the body, acting to thin the blood. Coumadin, also a blood-thinning medication, works in a similar fashion. Taking feverfew in conjunction with Coumadin can enhance the effect of this prescription medication, which can increase the risk of developing unusual bruising or bleeding complications during treatment. Other types of blood-thinning medications, including aspirin and ibuprofen, also should be avoided while taking feverfew.
Additional Drug Interactions
Feverfew may interact with other drugs in addition to Coumadin. Avoid taking this herbal supplement with medications that are metabolized by your liver, such as amitriptyline, omeprazole and glipizide. Using these types of medications with feverfew may increase your risk of developing drug-induced side effects.
Adverse Effects
Treatment with this medicinal herb may cause unpleasant adverse effects. Stomach discomfort, including nausea, vomiting, gas, flatulence, abdominal pain constipation and diarrhea, is the most common complaint associated with taking feverfew. You also may experience difficulty sleeping, joint aches and stiffness, fatigue, skin rash, unusual nervousness, heart palpitations or weight gain. In addition, menstrual cycle irregularities may arise in women taking feverfew. Talk with your physician if these side effects persist or become severe so you can receive appropriate treatment.
Contraindications
Although feverfew may be beneficial for some people, this medicinal herb shouldn't be used by everyone. Do not take feverfew if you're allergic to marigold, ragweed or similar plants, or you may develop a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Feverfew should not be used by women who are lactating or pregnant because the safety of this medicinal herb during pregnancy hasn't been fully evaluated. Stop using feverfew for at least two weeks prior to surgery. Failure to do so may increase your risk of developing bleeding complications during or after surgery.
