Chinese Herbal Medicine and Prescribed Medication: What to Tell Your Practitioner

If you take prescribed medicine and are considering Chinese herbal medicine, check before combining them. Herbal formulas contain active ingredients and can affect how other medicines work. “Natural” does not always mean safe.

What to bring

Bring a list of everything you take: prescribed medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements and any herbal formulas. Include doses, or bring photographs of the labels.

Mention allergies, relevant health conditions, any recent changes to your medicines, and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Who to ask

At Bonn Square Therapy Room, your Chinese herbal medicine practitioner will discuss your health history and current medicines before considering a formula. Its suitability depends on the ingredients and your individual circumstances.

The NHS recommends checking with a pharmacist before taking herbal medicine alongside other medicines. Your practitioner may also need to consult your pharmacist or prescribing clinician about possible interactions.

Keep everyone informed

Let your GP and pharmacist know about any herbal formulas you use. Do not stop or change prescribed medicine without speaking to the clinician responsible for it.

A useful question to bring is: “Is this formula suitable alongside my current medicines?” You do not need to work out the answer yourself.

Further reading

• Herbal medicines and complementary therapies — NHS
• Guidance on combining complementary and conventional medicines — NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service