Download Herb Drug Interactions

Herb - Drug Interactions
Practice Test
1. Which herb may inhibit serotonin reuptake and may cause serotonin syndrome when used in
conjunction with SSRIs such as Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft?
a) suan sao ren (ziziphi sponosae semen)
b) guan ye lian qiao (hypericum perforatum)
c) mu li (ostreat concha)
d) ci shi (magnetitum)
2. Which herb may potentiate anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects in patients taking these
medications?
a) hu po (succinum)
b) yuan zhi (polygaleas radix)
c) ban lan gen (isitadis radix)
d) wu wei zi (schisandrae fructus)
3. Which herb can increase potassium loss and cause hypertension when used with diuretics?
a) fu zi (aconiti radix lateralis peparata)
b) gan cao (glycyrrhizae radix)
c) tao ren (persicae semen)
d) chi shao (paeoniae radix rubrae)
4. Which herb may increase thermogenesis and weight loss when combined with
methylxanthines such as caffeine and theophylline?
a) ren shen (ginseng radix)
b) chen pi (citri reticulatae pericarpium)
c) lu cha (green tea)
d) gan cao (glycyrrhizae radix)
5. Which herb may cause hypertension, arrhythmias, and hyperpyrexia when used with
monaamine oxidase inhibitors such as rasagiline (Azilect) and selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam,
Zelapar) that are used to treat Parkinson's disease?
a) yin guo ye (gingko folium)
b) ma huang (ephedra herba)
c) gan cao (glycyrrhizae radix)
d) ren shen (ginseng radix)
6. Which herb used in heavy doses and over the long-term can aggravate extrapyramidal
symptoms (extreme restlessness, involuntary movements, and uncontrollable speech) when
combined with antipsychotic or neuroleptic medications such as fluphenazine (Prolixin),
haloperidol (Haldol) and thioridazine?
a) pu gong ying (taraxaci herba)
b) gou teng (uncariae ramulus cum uncis)
c) bing lang (arecea semen)
d) gan cao (glycyrrhizae radix)
7. Which vitamin increases the metabolism of levodopa, reducing its effectiveness?
a) Vitamin B6
b) Vitamin E
c) Vitamin C
d) Vitamin A
8. Which herb can slow down the elimination of phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)?
a) chen pi (citri reticulatae pericarpium)
b) hei hu jiao (piperis fructus)
c) ding xiang (caryophilli flos)
d) ren shen (ginseng radix)
9. Which herbs when administered with the hypnotic drug buspirone (Buspar) may result in a
hypomanic episode?
a) chan tui (cicadae periostracum) and long dan cao (gentiana radix)
b) guan ye lian qiao (hypericum perforatum - St. Johns Wort) and yin guo ye (gingko
folium)
c) niu huang (bovis calculus) and zhi zi (gardeniae fructus)
d) dan shen (salviae milthiorrhzae radix) and bai zhi (angelicae dahuricae radix)
10. Which type of drug can block the possibility of hypertension and arrythmias that can be
caused by ma huang (ephedra herba)?
a) ACE inhibitors (Vasotec, Capoten, Lotensin)
b) Anti-depressants (Elavil, Limbitrol, Etrafon)
c) Diuretics (Accuretic, Lasix, Lozol)
d) Thyroid medications (Syntrhoid, Levothroid, Lodotope)
11. gui zhi (ramulus cinnamomi cassiae) synergistically interacts with
a) Anticoagulants
b) Antihypertensives
c) Antihistamines
d) Antibiotics
12. Which herb increases the side effects of caffeine such as agitation, tremors, and insomnia?
a) chan tui (cicadae periostracum)
b) suan zao ren (ziziphi sponosae semen)
c) ma huang (ephedra herba)
d) niu huang (bovis calculus)
13. Which herb may increase the absorption of propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran XL)?
a) gan cao (glycyrrhizae radix)
b) hei hu jiao (piperis fructus)
c) ren shen (ginseng radix)
d) rou cong rong (cistanches herba)
14. How long should ma huang (ephedra herba) be avoided after stopping MAOIs (monaamine
oxidase inhibitors) which are used in the treatment of Parkinsons's disease?
a) 3 days
b) 7 days
c) 2 weeks
d) 6 months
15. Which herb may potentiate the effects of MAOIs?
a) qing pi (citri reticulatae viride pericarpium)
b) yin guo ye (gingko folium)
c) bai he (lilii bulbus)
d) chan tui (cicadae periostracum)
16. Which herb does NOT have the potential to increase the sedative effects of barbituates
such as phenobarbital (Donnatal, Luminal) and opiods?
a) bai shao (paeoniae radix alba)
b) qin jiao (gentiannae macrophyllae radix)
c) long dan cao (gentiana radix)
d) chen pi (citri reticulatae pericarpium)
17. Which herb may potentiate the action of cardiac glycosides such as digoxin (Digitek,
Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin) used in the treatment of congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and
tachycardia?
a) huang qin (scutellariae radix)
b) ban lan gen (isitadis radix)
c) shan zha (craetegi fructus)
d) rou gui (cinnamomi cortex)
18. Which of the following is NOT an herb that should be used with caution in those taking
antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antihyperthyroid, or antiseizure medications?
a) chen pi (citri reticulatae pericarpium)
b) bai shao (paeoniae radix alba)
c) qing pi (citri reticulatae viride pericarpium)
d) zhi shi (auranti fructus immaturus)
19. Which herb may potentiate the pressor effect of the alpha2 selective adrenergic agonist
drug clonidine (Catapres, Clorpres, Duraclon)?
a) san qi (radix notoginseng)
b) ma huang (ephedra herba)
c) chen pi (citri reticulatae pericarpium)
d) qing pi (citri reticulatae viride pericarpium)
20. Which herb may antagonize the effects of antihypertensives?
a) ma huang (ephedra herba)
b) bai zhu (atractylodis macrocephalae rhizoma)
c) chuan xiong (chuanxiong rhizoma)
d) dang gui (angelicae sinensis radix)
21. What can cause ephedrine toxicity when taking ma huang (ephedra herba)?
a) antacid medications
b) antidiabetic medications
c) antiseizure medications
d) antitussive medications
22. Which herb potentiates the effect of amoxillin and ampicillin?
a) huang qi (astragali radix)
b) huang qin (scutellariae radix)
c) huang lian (coptidis rhizoma)
d) huang bai (phellondenri cortex)
23. Long-term use of aspirin or acetominophen is known to cause burning, soreness,
tenderness, and inflammation of the tongue. This suggests
a) heart fire transmitted to the small intestine
b) damage to blood and yin resulting in empty heat
c) kidney and heart not communicating
d) excess internal heat in the heart
24. Which herb does NOT lower plasma glucose levels and does not potentiate antidiabetic
medications causing hypoglycemia?
a) niu bang zi (arctii fructus)
b) cang er zi (xanthii fructus)
c) bai shao (paeoniae radix alba)
d) man jing zi (viticis fructus)
25. The side effect of ACE inhibitors such as Vasotec, Captopril, and Capoten are hypotension,
cough, maculopapular rash, sore throat and fever. All of these side effects are due to the drugs
causing
a) lung heat
b) blood heat with qi vacuity
c) yin vacuity with vacuity heat in the blood
d) external wind-heat transmitted to blood level
26. Long-term or excessive use of corticosteroids
a) first cause yin and yang vacuity followed by vacuity heat
b) first cause qi and yin vacuity followed by yin and yang vacuity
c) first cause qi and blood stasis followed by accumulation of dampness
d) cause qi vacuity or accumulaton of dampness
27. Which may potentiate cholesterol lowering agents, may potentiate antiplatelets and
anticoagulants, and may lower plasma glucose levels?
a) Walnut
b) Turmeric
c) Garlic
d) Ginger
28. Which supplement has been found to reduce the adverse side effects of statins such as
Lipitor, Crestor, and Zocor?
a) Hyuloronic acid
b) Vitamin B6
c) MSN
d) CoQ-10
29. The side effect of thyroid supplements such as Synthroid, Levothroid, and Levoxyl are
arrhythmia, hypertension, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, headache, and irritability. In terms of TCM,
these drug side effects can indicate
a) blood vacuity with yin vacuity
b) heart blood vacuity
c) qi stasis
d) yang repletion with yin vacuity
30. Which herb may intefere with the efficacy of oral contraceptives, progesterone, and
hormone replacement therapy?
a) man jing zi (viticis fructus)
b) qin jiao (gentiannae macrophyllae radix)
c) gan cao (glycyrrhizae radix)
d) dang gui (angelicae sinensis radix)
31. Which herb may cause reduced serum levels of estrogen?
a) bai zhi (angelicae dahuricae radix)
b) tao ren (persicae semen)
c) fan xie ye (sennae folium)
d) gan cao (glycyrrhizae radix)
32. Which herb may have positive inotropic (affects muscle contraction) and chronotropic
(affects heart rate) effects and should be used with caution on patients on antiarrhythmic
medication?
a) huang qi (astragali radix)
b) ge gen (peureriae radix)
c) fu zi (aconiti radix lateralis peparata)
d) chen pi (citri reticulatae pericarpium)
33. Which herbs potentiates the anticoagulant and antiplatelet effect such as warfarin and
should be used with caution?
a) huang lian (coptidis rhizoma)
b) dan shen (salviae milthiorrhzae radix)
c) huang qin (scutellariae radix)
d) sheng ma (cimicifuga rhizoma)
34. Which herb may increase blood pressure and fluid retention when used with oral
contraceptives?
a) gan cao (glycyrrhizae radix)
b) ma huang (ephedra herba)
c) dang gui (angelicae sinensis radix)
d) bai zhi (angelicae dahuricae radix)
35. Which herb can decrease the effectiveness of the anti-viral indinavir (Crixivan)?
a) guan ye lian qiao (hypericum perforatum - St. John's Wort)
b) bai zhi (angelicae dahuricae radix)
c) qin jiao (gentiannae macrophyllae radix)
d) gan cao (glycyrrhizae radix)
36. Blurred vision, dry-scratchy eyes, urinary retention, constipation, fatigue, somnolence,
orthostatic hypotension, palpitations, tachychardia, weight gain, and lack of strength are side
effects of tricyclic anti-depressants such as Elavil, Tofranil, and Limbitrol. All of these side
effects are due to the drugs causing
a) qi and yang vacuity
b) spleen xu with excess dampness
c) qi vacuity and yin-blood vacuity
d) heart blood vacuity
37. Which of the following statements is true about the effect of dang gui (angelicae sinensis
radix) on estrogen?
a) Evidence suggests that estrogenic activity of dang gui is dose dependent
b) Estrogenic activity of dang gui is age and dose dependent
c) There is significant estrogenic changes with dang gui
d) While there is some controversy, the proponderance of evidence suggests no estrogenlike activity
38. Which herb may potentiate cholesterol lowering agents such as Lipitor, Crestor, and Zocor?
a) da huang (rhei radix et rhizoma)
b) gan cao (glycyrrhizae radix)
c) hu lu ba (fenugreek)
d) long dan cao (gentiana radix)
39. Which herb reduces blood sugar levels in diabetic patients treated with sulfonylureas
(Diabenese) or metformin (Glucovance)?
a) xi yang shen (panacis quinquefolii radix)
b) dong chong xia cao (cordyceps)
c) pu huang (typhae pollen)
d) ge gen (peureriae radix)
40. The side effects of calcium channel blockers such as Cardizem, Vascor, Calan are
hypotension, fatigue, vertigo, constipation, peripheral edema, cough and wheezing. Which of
the following is NOT an explantion for the side effects?
a) internal wind with yin vacuity
b) spleen vacuity
c) damage of qi
d) damage of blood
Herb-Drug Interactions – Answer Key
1. A
2. C
3. B
4. C
5. B
6. C
7. A
8. B
9. B
10. B
11. D
12. C
13. B
14. C
15. B
16. D
17. C
18. B
19. B
20. A
21. A
22. B
23. B
24. D
25. C
26. B
27. C
28. D
29. D
30. A
31. C
32. C
33. B
34. A
35. A
36. C
37. D
38. C
39. A
40. A