A concern about Vitex and side effects.

greenapple_sea · 01-07-2005, 03:54 PM

Hi.
I have been taking vitex capsules for about three weeks now and I'm the closest to a real period that I have been in years. Though I have noticed in the last week or so that I'm bruising all over my body really bad and its happening really easily. Its almost like my body is not sure how to handle the bruises.

Has this happened to anyone else?

Pale Pink Aura · 01-09-2005, 06:35 AM

I've never experienced that before. I just looked up a site which determines possible side effects and that one wasn't mentioned. Are you taking anything else?

greenapple_sea · 01-09-2005, 02:01 PM

nope..I was taking don quai tinctures but that was nearly two months ago...other then that nothing else.

Pale Pink Aura · 01-09-2005, 08:00 PM

You know, I think dong quai may do that. I was taking it for quite a while at one stage and noticed an increase in bleeding - including bruising and my period went longer etc. It was one of the reasons I stopped taking it. I don't necessarily blame the dong quai - because I am prone to be on the constant bleeding side of things, but feel it dip tip my balance a bit too far. It takes quite a while for those effects to wear off too, so maybe it did it for you too. Don't know, but just a thought.

Yep, just looked it up and the info I found confirmed this:

Prescription Drugs

Dong quai and herbal combination products that include it may contain chemicals called coumarins, which may increase the time blood needs to clot. When dong quai is taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, which also lengthen bleeding time, the effect of the drug may be increased. Uncontrolled bleeding may result.

Antiplatelets include Plavix and Ticlid
Anticoagulants include heparin and warfarin
Non-prescription Drugs

Dong quai affects the ability of blood to clot after an injury. Aspirin can also delay clotting, so dong quai should not be taken at the same time as aspirin.

Herbal Products

Theoretically, if dong quai is used with other herbs that affect blood clotting, bleeding may occur. Some of the most common herbal products that might inhibit blood clotting include:

Danshen
Devil's Claw
Eleuthero
Garlic
Ginger (in large amounts)
Ginkgo
Horse Chestnut
Panax Ginseng
Papain
Red Clover
Saw Palmetto
Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how dong quai interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.

greenapple_sea · 01-09-2005, 10:01 PM

Thanks a Ton! Its good to know there is somewhat of a clue as to whats going on..I was becoming really concerned..I'm so glad this place exists