Indication-specific dosing for medicago sativa (alfalfa), frequency-based adverse effects, comprehensive interactions, contraindications, pregnancy & lactation schedules, and cost information.

Sections

Sections Alfalfa
Suggested Dosing
Suggested Uses
Interactions
Adverse Effects
Warnings
Pregnancy
Pharmacology

Suggested Dosing

5-10 g PO TID

Suggested Uses

Asthma, arthritis, diabetes, diuresis, hypercholesterolemia, indigestion, thrombocytopenic purpura

Source of

Vitamins: A, C, E, K

Minerals: Ca, K, P, Fe

Efficacy

Possibly effective for type II hyperlipoproteinemia

Interaction Checker

Enter a drug name and Alfalfa

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Interactions Found

Contraindicated

Serious - Use Alternative

Significant - Monitor Closely

Minor

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Contraindicated (0)

Serious - Use Alternative (0)

Monitor Closely (68)

aceclofenac
aceclofenac and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
acemetacin
acemetacin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
agrimony
agrimony and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
alteplase
alteplase and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
American ginseng
alfalfa and American ginseng both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
antithrombin alfa
antithrombin alfa and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
antithrombin III
antithrombin III and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
argatroban
argatroban and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
aspirin
aspirin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
aspirin rectal
aspirin rectal and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate
aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
bemiparin
bemiparin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
bivalirudin
bivalirudin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
celecoxib
celecoxib and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
choline magnesium trisalicylate
choline magnesium trisalicylate and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
cinnamon
alfalfa and cinnamon both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
cordyceps
alfalfa and cordyceps both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
dabigatran
dabigatran and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
dalteparin
dalteparin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
diclofenac
diclofenac and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
diflunisal
diflunisal and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
dong quai
alfalfa and dong quai both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
enoxaparin
enoxaparin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
epoprostenol
alfalfa and epoprostenol both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
etodolac
etodolac and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
fennel
alfalfa and fennel both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
fenoprofen
fenoprofen and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
feverfew
alfalfa and feverfew both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
flurbiprofen
flurbiprofen and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
fondaparinux
fondaparinux and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
forskolin
alfalfa and forskolin both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
garlic
alfalfa and garlic both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
ginger
alfalfa and ginger both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
ginkgo biloba
alfalfa and ginkgo biloba both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
heparin
heparin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
horse chestnut seed
alfalfa and horse chestnut seed both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
ibuprofen
ibuprofen and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
ibuprofen IV
ibuprofen IV and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
indomethacin
indomethacin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
ketoprofen
ketoprofen and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
ketorolac
ketorolac and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
ketorolac intranasal
ketorolac intranasal and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
lornoxicam
lornoxicam and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
meclofenamate
meclofenamate and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
mefenamic acid
mefenamic acid and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
meloxicam
meloxicam and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
mistletoe
alfalfa increases and mistletoe decreases anticoagulation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
nabumetone
nabumetone and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
naproxen
naproxen and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
nettle
alfalfa increases and nettle decreases anticoagulation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
oxaprozin
oxaprozin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
panax ginseng
alfalfa and panax ginseng both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
parecoxib
parecoxib and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
pau d'arco
alfalfa and pau d'arco both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
phenindione
phenindione and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
phytoestrogens
alfalfa and phytoestrogens both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
piroxicam
piroxicam and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
protamine
protamine and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
reishi
alfalfa and reishi both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
reteplase
reteplase and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
salicylates (non-asa)
salicylates (non-asa) and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
salsalate
salsalate and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
Siberian ginseng
alfalfa and Siberian ginseng both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
sulfasalazine
sulfasalazine and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
sulindac
sulindac and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
tenecteplase
tenecteplase and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
tolfenamic acid
tolfenamic acid and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
tolmetin
tolmetin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.

Minor (6)

anamu
alfalfa and anamu both increase anticoagulation. Minor/Significance Unknown.
chlorpromazine
alfalfa increases toxicity of chlorpromazine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased photosensitivity.
danshen
alfalfa and danshen both increase anticoagulation. Minor/Significance Unknown.
devil's claw
alfalfa and devil's claw both increase anticoagulation. Minor/Significance Unknown.
mestranol
alfalfa decreases effects of mestranol by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
vitamin E
alfalfa decreases levels of vitamin E by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Vitamin E).

aceclofenac
Monitor Closely (1)aceclofenac and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
acemetacin
Monitor Closely (1)acemetacin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
agrimony
Monitor Closely (1)agrimony and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
alteplase
Monitor Closely (1)alteplase and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
American ginseng
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and American ginseng both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
anamu
Minor (1)alfalfa and anamu both increase anticoagulation. Minor/Significance Unknown.
antithrombin alfa
Monitor Closely (1)antithrombin alfa and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
antithrombin III
Monitor Closely (1)antithrombin III and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
argatroban
Monitor Closely (1)argatroban and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
aspirin
Monitor Closely (1)aspirin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
aspirin rectal
Monitor Closely (1)aspirin rectal and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate
Monitor Closely (1)aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
bemiparin
Monitor Closely (1)bemiparin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
bivalirudin
Monitor Closely (1)bivalirudin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
celecoxib
Monitor Closely (1)celecoxib and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
chlorpromazine
Minor (1)alfalfa increases toxicity of chlorpromazine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Increased photosensitivity.
choline magnesium trisalicylate
Monitor Closely (1)choline magnesium trisalicylate and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
cinnamon
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and cinnamon both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
cordyceps
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and cordyceps both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
dabigatran
Monitor Closely (1)dabigatran and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
dalteparin
Monitor Closely (1)dalteparin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
danshen
Minor (1)alfalfa and danshen both increase anticoagulation. Minor/Significance Unknown.
devil's claw
Minor (1)alfalfa and devil's claw both increase anticoagulation. Minor/Significance Unknown.
diclofenac
Monitor Closely (1)diclofenac and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
diflunisal
Monitor Closely (1)diflunisal and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
dong quai
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and dong quai both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
enoxaparin
Monitor Closely (1)enoxaparin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
epoprostenol
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and epoprostenol both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
etodolac
Monitor Closely (1)etodolac and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
fennel
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and fennel both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
fenoprofen
Monitor Closely (1)fenoprofen and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
feverfew
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and feverfew both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
flurbiprofen
Monitor Closely (1)flurbiprofen and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
fondaparinux
Monitor Closely (1)fondaparinux and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
forskolin
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and forskolin both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
garlic
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and garlic both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
ginger
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and ginger both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
ginkgo biloba
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and ginkgo biloba both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
heparin
Monitor Closely (1)heparin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
horse chestnut seed
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and horse chestnut seed both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
ibuprofen
Monitor Closely (1)ibuprofen and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
ibuprofen IV
Monitor Closely (1)ibuprofen IV and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
indomethacin
Monitor Closely (1)indomethacin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
ketoprofen
Monitor Closely (1)ketoprofen and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
ketorolac
Monitor Closely (1)ketorolac and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
ketorolac intranasal
Monitor Closely (1)ketorolac intranasal and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
lornoxicam
Monitor Closely (1)lornoxicam and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
meclofenamate
Monitor Closely (1)meclofenamate and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
mefenamic acid
Monitor Closely (1)mefenamic acid and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
meloxicam
Monitor Closely (1)meloxicam and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
mestranol
Minor (1)alfalfa decreases effects of mestranol by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Theoretical interaction).
mistletoe
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa increases and mistletoe decreases anticoagulation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
nabumetone
Monitor Closely (1)nabumetone and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
naproxen
Monitor Closely (1)naproxen and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
nettle
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa increases and nettle decreases anticoagulation. Effect of interaction is not clear, use caution. Use Caution/Monitor.
oxaprozin
Monitor Closely (1)oxaprozin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
panax ginseng
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and panax ginseng both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
parecoxib
Monitor Closely (1)parecoxib and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
pau d'arco
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and pau d'arco both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
phenindione
Monitor Closely (1)phenindione and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
phytoestrogens
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and phytoestrogens both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
piroxicam
Monitor Closely (1)piroxicam and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
protamine
Monitor Closely (1)protamine and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
reishi
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and reishi both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
reteplase
Monitor Closely (1)reteplase and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
salicylates (non-asa)
Monitor Closely (1)salicylates (non-asa) and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
salsalate
Monitor Closely (1)salsalate and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
Siberian ginseng
Monitor Closely (1)alfalfa and Siberian ginseng both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
sulfasalazine
Monitor Closely (1)sulfasalazine and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
sulindac
Monitor Closely (1)sulindac and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
tenecteplase
Monitor Closely (1)tenecteplase and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.
tolfenamic acid
Monitor Closely (1)tolfenamic acid and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
tolmetin
Monitor Closely (1)tolmetin and alfalfa both increase anticoagulation. Use Caution/Monitor.
vitamin E
Minor (1)alfalfa decreases levels of vitamin E by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown. (Vitamin E).

Frequency Not Defined

Photosensitivity

Pancytopenia (from ground alfalfa seeds)

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity

Avoid prior to surgery: may cause bleeding

Cautions

Above-ground portion safer than seeds

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Category: N/A

Lactation: N/A

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

Pharmacology

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

Mechanism of Action

Decrease absorption of cholesterol; manganese has hypoglycemic effects

Contains phytoestrogens formometin, coumestrol

Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.

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