How does coenzyme Q10 interact with other medications and foods?
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Stacy Wiegman answered:Because coenzyme Q10 may lower blood pressure and blood sugar and raise dopamine levels, drugs that accomplish these same goals may amplify these effects to unsafe levels.
Diabetes drugs that lower blood sugar include insulin, Symlin, Byetta, acarbose, Actos, Avandia, glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide, Glyset, metformin, and Prandin. Taking these drugs with coenzyme Q10 may cause hypoglycemia, a life-threatening condition. Herbal products that lower blood sugar may have the same doubling effect. These include eleuthero, fenugreek, ginger (in high amounts), kudzu, and panax ginseng.
Medications to lower blood pressure include ACE inhibitors (captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril), angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (Avapro, Cozaar, and Diovan), beta blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol), calcium channel blockers (amlodipine, nifedipine, verapamil), diuretics (Dyazide, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), and propranolol (Inderal).
Like coenzyme Q10, other dopamine-increasing drugs are used to treat Parkinson's disease. Do not take these while you are on coenzyme Q10. These include bromocriptine (Parlodel), carbidopa-levodopa (Dopar, Sinemet), Dostinex, Mirapex and ropinrole.
Coenzyme Q10 can raise your blood's ability to clot, so it may cancel the effects of anticoagulants, such as warfarin or heparin.
Some drugs and therapies may lower your levels of coenzyme Q10, thus canceling the benefits of taking it as a supplement. These include statins (lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin), drugs prescribed to lower cholesterol; doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Doxil, Rubex), a cancer-fighting drug; and hormone replacement therapy with the hormones progesterone and estrogen.
Because coenzyme Q10 may lower blood pressure and blood sugar and raise dopamine levels, drugs that accomplish these same goals may amplify these effects to unsafe levels. Diabetes drugs that lower blood sugar include insulin, Symlin,... More -
In theory and based on a human case report, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may reduce the effectiveness of warfarin (Coumadin®) and may limit or prevent effective anticoagulation (blood thinning). CoQ10 may reduce blood pressure and may add to the effects of other blood pressure-lowering drugs. In theory, CoQ10 may affect thyroid hormone levels and alter the effects of thyroid drugs such as levothyroxine (Synthroid®), although this has not been proven in humans. CoQ10 may also interact with antiretroviral or antiviral drugs.
Based on theory and human research, a number of drugs may deplete natural levels of CoQ10 in the body. It has not been shown that there are benefits of CoQ10 supplements in people using these agents. Examples include: diabetes drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, beta-blockers, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), Alzheimer's drugs, heart drugs, cancer drugs, immune system-altering drugs, and diuretic drugs (water pills).
You should read product labels, and discuss all therapies with a qualified healthcare provider. Natural Standard information does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
In theory and based on a human case report, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may reduce the effectiveness of warfarin (Coumadin®) and may limit or prevent effective anticoagulation (blood thinning). CoQ10 may reduce blood pressure and may add to the... More
