Potentially harmful interactions between prescription medications and health supplements represent a major health concern. The popular antidepressant medication Prozac is known to cause interactions with several herbal health supplements, including supplements containing ephedra. When given a prescription for a new medication, always inform your doctor of all health supplements you are taking.
Prozac
Prozac is the brand name of fluoxetine, a widely used antidepressant medication used to treat several mental-health disorders, including depression, panic attacks and eating disorders. Prozac belongs to the family of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, which help balance mood and emotions by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, explains National Institutes of Health online medical encyclopedia Medline Plus.
Ephedrasil
Ephedrasil is a health supplement containing an altered formulation of ephedra, a controversial stimulant used as a weight-loss supplement. Ephedra was banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2004 for causing numerous serious health problems, but ephedra supplements are still available through unregulated Internet vendors. Ephedrasil contains a different formulation of ephedra, as wells as ingredients such as green tea extract, yohimbine and chromium, according to an article in the December 2008 issue of the "World Journal of Gastroenterology."
Interaction
Among the many health risks of ephedra is the potential for dangerous interactions with Prozac, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. The potential for interaction between Ephedrasil and Prozac has not been studied. However, due to the similarities between ephedra and Ephedrasil, exercise caution with this combination. Like any health supplement, consult your doctor before taking Ephedrasil.
Side Effects
Prozac has the potential to cause several side effects involving the nervous system, including anxiety, panic attacks, irritability, agitation and insomnia, reports Drugs.com. Because ephedra is a central nervous system stimulant with the potential to cause similar side effects, combining the two would potentially increase the incidence or severity of these side effects.
References
- Medline Plus; Fluoxetine; August 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Interactions with Fluoxetine
- Drugs.com; Prozac; June 2011
- "World Journal of Gastroenterology"; Hydroxycut Hepatotoxicity: a Case Series and Review of Liver Toxicity From Herbal Weight Loss Supplements; Lily Dara et al.; December 2008
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Ephedra & Ephedrine; March 2003
Member Comments