Q I am a 58-year-old man taking blood pressure and cholesterol medication daily. Is it safe to take herbal medicine as well?
A Herbal medicine can often be combined even when you take other medications, but you must tell us the names and doses at your visit. Sometimes we adjust by spacing the doses about two hours apart. Never reduce or stop your existing medication on your own judgment.
Detailed Answer
What we check most carefully in clinic is which medications you take, since when, and how many. Bringing the medication packaging, prescription, or dosing leaflet as they are makes this quick. This is especially true for medications that must be taken consistently, such as those for blood pressure, blood sugar, blood thinning, or the thyroid.
If your stomach becomes uncomfortable or you notice an unusual reaction while taking it, do not adjust it yourself; tell us right away. If needed we pause the herbal medicine, check your condition, and then set the plan again. Adjusting your existing medication is a matter to discuss with the clinician who prescribed it.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Those who take several medications over a long period often have reduced digestive function, so even when using herbal medicine matched to the constitution we first consider directions that place less burden on digestion. Sometimes we adjust the order, centering pain control on acupuncture and moxibustion while using herbal medicine as support for resilience.
Related FAQs
-
Q
I am 45 and work full time. Cardiology says my ECG and echocardiogram are both normal, but my chest still hurts. So where is the problem?
#Possibility / Realistic Goals
-
Q
I am a 34-year-old man and was told I have costochondritis. Can treatment at a Korean medicine clinic help?
#Possibility / Realistic Goals
-
Q
I am 47 and self-employed. My chest pain has come and gone for three years. Can something like this be treated?
#Possibility / Realistic Goals
-
Q
I am a 39-year-old designer with chest pain along with stiffness in my neck, shoulders, and back. Are they connected?
#Comorbidities
-
Q
I am a 42-year-old nurse and my chest hurts more when I wake up. How should I position myself for sleep?
#Lifestyle Management