HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Are There Any Interactions Between My Medications And Hoodia Gordonii?

default
Posted on Sun, 24 Jun 2012
Question: I am a 28 year old male with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) since childhood. I am taking 400 mg of Fluvoxamine (Luvox, Faverin) and 3 mg of Risperidone (Risperdal) daily. I also take an omega-3 supplement and a multivitamin. I am planning to take hoodia gordonii for weight loss.
Are there any interactions between my medications or supplements and hoodia gordonii?
doctor
Answered by Dr. James M. Schwartz (1 hour later)
Hello,

Thanks for the query. I am happy to help you with your question.

Since the active ingredient in hoodia gordonii is metabolized by the liver, and both fluoxetine and resperidone are also metabolized by the liver, in theory there could be an interaction whereby blood levels of any of the three substances could be increased or even decreased (by activation of the enzymes that break down the drugs).

Although it is not certain that herbal diet products contain enough of the active ingredient from hoodia gordonii to cause an effect, there is no way to know for certain, because diet supplements are generally not standardized for quantity of ingredients.

Another important point to make is that a person who is taking prescription medication should not take other drugs, including non-prescription herbal supplements, without first discussing it with the prescribing physician.

I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up queries. If you are satisfied with all my answer, please do not forget to accept it.

Best regards,
Dr. Schwartz
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. James M. Schwartz (42 hours later)
Thank you for your prompt reply.
I am aware that there could be, in theory, interactions in the liver due to the chemicals' effects on the liver enzymes, but my question is whether there are any known specific enzyme-related interactions in the liver involving hoodia gordonii and my medications, Fluvoxamine (not Fluoxetine) and Risperidone? Or any other kind of known specific interaction?
doctor
Answered by Dr. James M. Schwartz (18 hours later)
Dear,

I am unaware of any specific enzyme related interactions with the 3 components – hoodiaia gordonii, fluvoxamine and resperidone. I’ve also searched the Pub Med literature database and drug-drug interaction databases and found no specific liver enzyme-related interactions among the three.

I hope this helps answer your question. Do accept this answer if you do not have any other queries.

Best regards,
Dr. Schwartz
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. James M. Schwartz

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1992

Answered : 47 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Are There Any Interactions Between My Medications And Hoodia Gordonii?

Hello,

Thanks for the query. I am happy to help you with your question.

Since the active ingredient in hoodia gordonii is metabolized by the liver, and both fluoxetine and resperidone are also metabolized by the liver, in theory there could be an interaction whereby blood levels of any of the three substances could be increased or even decreased (by activation of the enzymes that break down the drugs).

Although it is not certain that herbal diet products contain enough of the active ingredient from hoodia gordonii to cause an effect, there is no way to know for certain, because diet supplements are generally not standardized for quantity of ingredients.

Another important point to make is that a person who is taking prescription medication should not take other drugs, including non-prescription herbal supplements, without first discussing it with the prescribing physician.

I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up queries. If you are satisfied with all my answer, please do not forget to accept it.

Best regards,
Dr. Schwartz