Possible Interactions with: Aloe
Aloe; Aloe vera
If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use aloe vera without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Antidiabetic Medications - The combination of aloe vera and glyburide, a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, may help control blood sugar and triglyceride (fat) levels in the blood. People with diabetes who use aloe latex either alone or in combination with other medications must be monitored closely by health care providers to avoid potential complications from low blood sugar levels.
Hydrocortisone - Aloe gel may enhance the ability of hydrocortisone to reduce swelling.
Digoxin and Diuretics - Because oral aloe can decrease levels of potassium, aloe latex should not be used by individuals taking diuretics or digoxin (a medication used to treat irregular heart rhythms and congestive heart failure). These medications lower potassium levels in the body, so a combination of aloe and digoxin or diuretics can result in dangerously low levels of this important mineral.
Review Date: 2/24/2007
Reviewed By: Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.