Black cohosh if you have hypertension? - Menopause Message Board

zuzu8 · 06-01-2003, 05:58 PM

Hi-
I'm 59, and was on HRT for ten years until The Women's Health Initiative clinical trials results came out.

I weaned myself off, as per doc's instructions, but the hot flashes nevertheless returned with a VENGEANCE, and haven't abated for 8 months.

I have hypertension (beautifully controlled with meds) and want to take cohosh for the flashes.

I'm in perfect health otherwise.
BUT
I've heard that black cohosh taken with anti-hypertensive meds are a no-no.

True?

Thanks,

zuzu

cloverberry · 06-02-2003, 07:41 AM

I've taken black cohosh and I take a high blood pressure medicine too. I never heard anything about taking it with high pressure medicine. There's no warning on the bottle either. I don't think there's any problem taking the two together. If in doubt ask your doctor. Do you have a problem talking to your doctor? If you do find another doctor that you are more comfortable with. Someone you can ask about anything.

zuzu8 · 06-02-2003, 07:35 PM

Hi Cloverberry- Thanks for your imput. Herbal supp. makers do not have to post any warnings on their labels, so the absence of one, unfortunately, isn't really telling us anything one way or the other. However, I will talk to both my gynecologist AND my GP about this... They're both open and responsive physicians....I was just wondering if anyone posting here had heard anything negative...because I had.

PS Does the Cohosh work for you???

zuzu8 · 06-07-2003, 08:31 PM

Hi-- Have done some research..... Seems like black cohosh MAY present some problems when used with antihypertensives.

I used my search engine for "antihypertensives" "black cohosh" (typed exactly like that) and found a huge array of info.
Seems that Black cohosh may oppose OR enhance the effect of antihypertensive medications.

Apparently it has hypotensive properties, so when taken with BP meds, it can lower BP too much. When taken with diuretics apparently it can cause difficulty with diuresis and hypertension may result.

I'm going to talk to my doctors before I touch it!

zuzu xxx