If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you
should not use ginseng without first talking to your healthcare provider:
Blood Thinning Medications
There have been reports that Asian
ginseng may possibly decrease the effectiveness of the blood-thinning
medication, warfarin. In addition, ginseng may inhibit platelet activity and,
therefore, should probably not be used with aspirin either.
Caffeine
While taking ginseng, it is wise to avoid caffeine or
other substances that stimulate the central nervous system because the ginseng
may increase their effects, possibly causing nervousness, sweating, insomnia, or
irregular heartbeat.
Haloperidol
Ginseng may exaggerate the effects of this
anti-psychotic medication, so these should not be taken together.
Morphine
Ginseng may block the pain killing effects of
morphine.
Phenelzine and other MAO inhibitors for Depression
There have
been reports of a possible interaction between ginseng and the antidepressant
medication, phenelzine (which belongs to a class known as monoamine oxidase
inhibitors [MAOIs]), resulting in symptoms ranging from manic-like episodes to
headache and tremulousness.