Echinesia vs Coumadin

[Cem]

Hello Folks.
I am considering daily intake of Echinesia pills as a precaution against Flu and other diseases.
For those who don't know what it is, here is a link:
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Echinesia.
From what I gather from the above link, this herbal product does not seem to have any interaction with Coumadin (warfarin).
Still, I would appreciate suggestions and cautions with respect to this product.
Regards.
Cem.
Age:52, First AVR on November 18, 2008 at Florence Nightingale Hospital, İstanbul. Hancock II v23 bioprosthetic valve.
Second AVR on September 15, 2009 at same hospital. St.Jude HP mechanical valve.Therefore Obliged Coumadin Aficionado.

 

[Bill B]

The Cleveland Clinic has it on the list of herbals not to take:
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/drugs/coumadin/hic_anticoagulant_medication_warfarin_coumadin.aspx

There are some data on metabolic enzyme efects that suggest it could elevate warfarin levels in some people, but the interaction has not been reported.
http://books.google.com/books?id=49...AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=echinacea warfarin&f=true

You should check with the health professionals who manage your warfarin therapy.

Bill Ball, Pharm.D.

 

[Ross]

As with all things Coumadin, whatever you do, can be adjusted for. Simply test 4 days into your new herb and see if it's causing a problem and if so, simply adjust your dose.

 

[Bina]

Echinacea is a great herbal that I have used before AVR.
The thing with herbals is that the actual strength or purity is sometimes poorly regulated, so you may want to start off with a low dose and see what it does to your INR after a few days.

 

[Herb M]

If you read all the medical sites, you will see that everything interacts with Coumadin. My belief is that the interaction is usually negligible for most people.