What medications can interact with plant sterols?

Plant sterols may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.

Plant sterols may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin%uFFFD) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix%uFFFD), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin%uFFFD, Advil%uFFFD) or naproxen (Naprosyn%uFFFD, Aleve%uFFFD).

Because sterols contains estrogen-like and antiestrogen-like chemicals, the effects of other agents believed to have estrogen-like properties may be altered.

Plant sterols may also interact with acarbose, acid-labile antibiotics, activated charcoal, agents that affect the immune system, anticancer agents, antidiarrheals, antiemetics, antiobesity agents, antituberculosis agents, antivirals, carbamazepine, chenic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, cholesterol-lowering agents, cholestyramine, colestipol, C-reactive protein-reducing agents, cyclooxygenase inhibitors, diosgenin, drugs for benign prostate hyperplasia, drugs for erectile dysfunction, drugs for the skin, ezetimibe, fibrate, finasteride and alpha1-blockers, high-lipase pancreatin, hormonal agents, laxatives, lifibrol, neurologic agents, NMDA receptor antagonists, rifampin, Secholex%uFFFD, statins, and tamoxifen.

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.