Meta Information
ID:panax-ginseng
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-2.0
Interactions
Target id:
/class/anticoagulants-antiplatelets
Target name:
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Panax ginseng possesses antiplatelet properties, which can add to the effects of blood-thinning medications, significantly increasing the risk of bleeding.
Actionable advice:
Avoid using Panax ginseng if you are taking any blood-thinning medications like warfarin, clopidogrel, or aspirin, unless approved by your doctor.
Target id:
/class/antidiabetic-medications
Target name:
Diabetes Medications
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Panax ginseng can lower blood glucose levels. When taken with other glucose-lowering medications, it can cause an additive effect, leading to dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Actionable advice:
Consult your doctor before using Panax ginseng if you have diabetes; frequent blood sugar monitoring is essential to avoid hypoglycemia.
Target id:
/class/maois
Target name:
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Combining the stimulant-like properties of Panax ginseng with MAOI antidepressants has been reported to cause headaches, tremors, and manic-like symptoms.
Actionable advice:
Avoid taking Panax ginseng concurrently with MAOI medications.
Target id:
/class/immunosuppressants
Target name:
Immunosuppressant Medications
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Panax ginseng is known to stimulate the immune system, which can directly counteract the intended effects of medications designed to suppress immune activity.
Actionable advice:
Avoid Panax ginseng completely if you take immunosuppressants for an autoimmune condition or after an organ transplant.
Target id:
/condition/pregnancy
Target name:
Pregnancy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
The safety of Panax ginseng during pregnancy is not established, and some of its components have shown harmful effects on fetal development in animal studies.
Actionable advice:
Avoid Panax ginseng completely during pregnancy.
Target id:
/condition/lactation
Target name:
Breastfeeding (Lactation)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
It is unknown if components of Panax ginseng pass into breast milk or what effects they may have on a nursing infant; therefore, it should be avoided.
Actionable advice:
Avoid Panax ginseng completely while breastfeeding.
Target id:
/procedure/surgery
Target name:
Scheduled Surgery
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
168
Hours after target:
null
Description:
Panax ginseng can affect blood glucose levels and may increase the risk of bleeding, which can complicate surgical procedures and blood sugar control.
Actionable advice:
Discontinue Panax ginseng at least 1 week before any scheduled surgery.
Target id:
/condition/hormone-sensitive-cancers
Target name:
Hormone-Sensitive Conditions
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Panax ginseng may have weak estrogen-like effects, which could potentially stimulate the growth of hormone-sensitive cancers (e.g., breast, uterine) or worsen conditions like endometriosis.
Actionable advice:
Avoid Panax ginseng if you have a history of hormone-sensitive cancers or conditions.
Target id:
/condition/bipolar-disorder
Target name:
Bipolar Disorder
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
The stimulating properties of Panax ginseng may induce manic episodes or interfere with mood-stabilizing medications in individuals with bipolar disorder.
Actionable advice:
Avoid Panax ginseng if you have bipolar disorder, especially during manic or mixed phases.
Target id:
/class/stimulants
Target name:
Stimulant Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Panax ginseng has its own stimulant effects that can be additive with other stimulants, potentially causing overstimulation, rapid heart rate, nervousness, or insomnia.
Actionable advice:
Use caution and monitor for overstimulation when combining Panax ginseng with prescription stimulants or high doses of caffeine.
Target id:
/intervention/caffeine
Target name:
Caffeine
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
4
Hours after target:
4
Description:
Panax ginseng can amplify the stimulant effects of caffeine, potentially leading to an increased heart rate, anxiety, jitteriness, and difficulty sleeping.
Actionable advice:
Separate intake of Panax ginseng and caffeine by at least 4 hours and consider reducing your caffeine dose.
Target id:
/circadian/sleep
Target name:
Going to Sleep
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
8
Hours after target:
null
Description:
The stimulating, adaptogenic properties of Panax ginseng can interfere with sleep onset and quality if taken too close to bedtime.
Actionable advice:
Take Panax ginseng in the morning or early afternoon to avoid potential sleep disturbances.
Target id:
/class/antihypertensives
Target name:
Antihypertensive Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Panax ginseng can affect blood pressure, sometimes increasing it, which may interfere with the effectiveness of medications intended to lower blood pressure.
Actionable advice:
Monitor blood pressure closely if combining Panax ginseng with blood pressure-lowering medications and consult your doctor.
Target id:
/class/qt-prolonging-agents
Target name:
QT-Prolonging Medications
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
There is a theoretical risk that Panax ginseng could affect heart rhythm, potentially increasing the risk of arrhythmias when combined with other medications that prolong the QT interval.
Actionable advice:
Exercise caution and consult a healthcare provider before using Panax ginseng with any QT-prolonging medications.
Target id:
/intervention/digoxin
Target name:
Digoxin
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Panax ginseng may increase the body's levels of digoxin, a heart medication with a narrow therapeutic window, potentially leading to toxicity.
Actionable advice:
Avoid using Panax ginseng if you are taking digoxin, unless under close medical supervision with drug level monitoring.
Target id:
/class/herbal-anticoagulants
Target name:
Herbal Anticoagulants/Antiplatelets
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Combining Panax ginseng with other supplements that have blood-thinning properties (like ginkgo, garlic, or high-dose fish oil) can increase the overall risk of bleeding.
Actionable advice:
Use caution when combining multiple supplements that can affect blood clotting.
Target id:
/class/glucose-lowering-supplements
Target name:
Glucose-Lowering Supplements
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Panax ginseng can lower blood sugar, and this effect can be additive with other supplements like berberine or chromium, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.
Actionable advice:
Monitor blood sugar closely if combining Panax ginseng with other glucose-lowering supplements.
Target id:
/condition/schizophrenia
Target name:
Schizophrenia
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
The stimulant effects of Panax ginseng could potentially cause sleep problems or worsen agitation in individuals with schizophrenia.
Actionable advice:
Use with extreme caution and only under medical supervision if you have schizophrenia.
Target id:
/class/cyp2d6-substrates
Target name:
CYP2D6 Substrates
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Panax ginseng may weakly inhibit the CYP2D6 enzyme, which could slightly increase the levels and side effects of drugs metabolized by this pathway (e.g., some antidepressants, beta-blockers).
Actionable advice:
Be aware of this potential interaction if taking medications metabolized by CYP2D6, though it is unlikely to be clinically significant for most.
Target id:
/dietary/alcohol-acute
Target name:
Alcohol
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Description:
Panax ginseng may accelerate the metabolism and clearance of alcohol, which could unpredictably alter its intoxicating effects and the severity of hangover symptoms.
Actionable advice:
Be aware that taking Panax ginseng may change how your body processes and responds to alcohol.
Target id:
/class/loop-diuretics
Target name:
Loop Diuretics
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
absolute
Description:
There is limited case report evidence suggesting Panax ginseng might reduce the effectiveness of loop diuretics like furosemide, potentially leading to decreased fluid removal.
Actionable advice:
Monitor for signs of reduced diuretic effectiveness (e.g., swelling) if taking Panax ginseng with a loop diuretic.