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Type 2 Diabetic. Is Ginseng And Gymnema Considered As Traditional Herbs?
Question: Hello there, I do have a few questions about Isoniazid. I am just wondering here if American Ginseng and Gymnema Sylvestre are considered traditional herb/traditional herbal supplement. I understand that when taking Isoniazid, patient is not allowed to consume any form of traditional herb. My father is a Type II Diabetic patient and he is currently under treatment for TB thus consuming isoniazid. I wish to purchase a herbal supplement to help maintain his blood glucose but the ingredients contain both american ginseng and gymnema sylvestre. The TB doctor advised that he is not familiar with Gymnema Sylvestre and thus would not approve the supplement I plan to purchase for my father.
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
Yes, Ginseng and Gymnema are considered traditional herbs. The general recommendation to forbid using these while on Isoniazid will hold for them too. There have not been any studies done specifically to look at the adverse effect that can occur if both are used together. The exact mechanism of metabolism of herbal products is not known and so interaction with isoniazid can not be predicted. It is best not to use them together.
Hope that answers your query. if there are more questions, I will be happy to answer.
Good luck.
Thanks for the query.
Yes, Ginseng and Gymnema are considered traditional herbs. The general recommendation to forbid using these while on Isoniazid will hold for them too. There have not been any studies done specifically to look at the adverse effect that can occur if both are used together. The exact mechanism of metabolism of herbal products is not known and so interaction with isoniazid can not be predicted. It is best not to use them together.
Hope that answers your query. if there are more questions, I will be happy to answer.
Good luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr XXXXXXX
Thank you for your reply. I have further questions which I will post here.
1) If the herbal supplement containing american ginseng and gymnema sylvestre is taken like 2 hours after taking isoniazid, will that be a good time allowance given in between the different consumption? The supplement I am looking at getting for my dad is called Sugar Balance which contains Bitten Melon, Alpha Lipoic Acid, American Ginseng and Gymnema Sylvestre. Isoniazid unfortunately is raising my dad's blood glucose even with the daily consumption of his diabetic medication. Although it helps to treat the TB bacteria it also causes the blood glucose problem. I am terrified for my dad having to deal with the unstable glucose situation. And his diabetic doctor would just increase his dosage and this is not really helping at all in the long run. He has to be on isoniazid for 9 months and this is his 5th month already. I am not sure if he has to deal with any worsening diabetic condition at the end of the treatment period for isoniazid.
2) What is the alternative option for the blood glucose maintenance for my father's condition. He is very careful with diet and he exercises everyday. Before the TB treatment, he never has to deal with above 150-180mg/dl before meal and over 200mg/dl after meal. I am seriously concerned and there is no way to take him off isoniazid and it is compulsory that he finishes the 9 month treatment.
I appreciate your time and advice.
Thanks & regards.
XXXXXXX
Thank you for your reply. I have further questions which I will post here.
1) If the herbal supplement containing american ginseng and gymnema sylvestre is taken like 2 hours after taking isoniazid, will that be a good time allowance given in between the different consumption? The supplement I am looking at getting for my dad is called Sugar Balance which contains Bitten Melon, Alpha Lipoic Acid, American Ginseng and Gymnema Sylvestre. Isoniazid unfortunately is raising my dad's blood glucose even with the daily consumption of his diabetic medication. Although it helps to treat the TB bacteria it also causes the blood glucose problem. I am terrified for my dad having to deal with the unstable glucose situation. And his diabetic doctor would just increase his dosage and this is not really helping at all in the long run. He has to be on isoniazid for 9 months and this is his 5th month already. I am not sure if he has to deal with any worsening diabetic condition at the end of the treatment period for isoniazid.
2) What is the alternative option for the blood glucose maintenance for my father's condition. He is very careful with diet and he exercises everyday. Before the TB treatment, he never has to deal with above 150-180mg/dl before meal and over 200mg/dl after meal. I am seriously concerned and there is no way to take him off isoniazid and it is compulsory that he finishes the 9 month treatment.
I appreciate your time and advice.
Thanks & regards.
XXXXXXX
Hello,
The Isoniazid should be continued for the period prescribed and it is not advisable to stop it prematurely. The alternative for controlling blood sugars is injections of insulin at least for the period when he is on isoniazid. The Isoniazid by itself doesn't cause sugar problems but probably it is interacting with drugs that your father is taking for diabetes.
I am not in a position to comment on effect of spacing out herbal supplements from isoniazid as there is no study which has analysed that. Moreover medication once consumed remains in body for long time and can have interactions even after hours.
Good luck.
The Isoniazid should be continued for the period prescribed and it is not advisable to stop it prematurely. The alternative for controlling blood sugars is injections of insulin at least for the period when he is on isoniazid. The Isoniazid by itself doesn't cause sugar problems but probably it is interacting with drugs that your father is taking for diabetes.
I am not in a position to comment on effect of spacing out herbal supplements from isoniazid as there is no study which has analysed that. Moreover medication once consumed remains in body for long time and can have interactions even after hours.
Good luck.
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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