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Are there any interactions with ginseng?

Ginseng is a plant used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. The root contains the active part of the plant. Some people claim that ginseng improves general health, enhances natural resistance to stress and infection, combats fatigue, and improves memory, and thinking. There are two types of ginseng: American and Asian. The strongest is the Asian variety. Siberian ginseng belongs to a different family of herbs, and should not be confused with Asian or American ginseng.

Ginseng can increase bleeding and enhance the bleeding effects of warfarin (brand name Coumadin), heparin, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen. Ginseng may also interact with drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Examples of these drugs include phenelzine (brand name Nardil), isocarboxazid (Marplan), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Combining ginseng with these drugs can cause headache, trouble sleeping, nervousness, and hyperactivity. Also, combining ginseng with stimulants (including caffeine) can increase blood pressure. Taking ginseng with furosemide (Lasix), estrogen, and nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat) may increase your risk of developing side effects. Check with your doctor and pharmacist before taking ginseng along with medications.

Sources:
Miller, L.G. “Herbal Medicinals: Selected Clinical Considerations Focusing on Known or Potential Drug-herb Interactions,” Archives of Internal Medicine 158 (1998).
Peirce, A. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. William Morrow & Co., 1999.
The Review of Natural Products. Facts & Comparisons, 2007.
Brinker, F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Pharmacists Letter Inc., 2001
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2007.

This answer prepared 3/16/2001.
This information updated 1/17/2007.