If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you
should not use ALA without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Blood-thinning Medications
Omega-3 fatty acids may increase
the blood-thinning effects of warfarin, aspirin, or other blood-thinning
medications. While the combination of aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids may
actually be helpful under certain circumstances (such as heart disease), they
should only be taken together under the guidance and supervision of your
healthcare provider.
Cholesterol-lowering Medications
Following certain nutritional
guidelines, including increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet
and reducing the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, may allow a group of cholesterol
lowering medications known as "statins" (such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, and
simvastatin) to work more effectively.
Cyclosporine
Taking omega-3 fatty acids during cyclosporine
therapy may reduce toxic side effects (such as high blood pressure and kidney
damage) associated with this medication in transplant patients.
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
In an animal
study, treatment with omega-3 fatty acids reduced the risk of ulcers from
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). More research is needed to
evaluate whether omega-3 fatty acids would have the same effects in
people.